My Story - plus a couple of questions about peafowl :)

SweetPea+MintPea · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:28 pm **Posts:** 6

Hi All

My name is Brigitta, I'm 21, and from Perth. I have kept birds in aviaries (and inside, much to the dismay of my parents) since I was 8.
I received two tiny Christmas presents last year, two Indian blue peachicks rescued from separate cat attacks on a farm, who I named Sweet Pea and Mint Pea (Better than Bob and Bill?).

They were both only a couple of days old (guessing due to size) when I got them, tiny, little (noisy), fluffy things. We kept them warm during the day with lots of cuddles, they seemed to fall asleep whenever they were held. I even brought Sweet Pea to work one day, who spent most of her time 'cheeping' and following my fingers as I typed. At night we kept them warm with lamps, and I used to put the chicks into their own pillowcase (not totally confined) for extra warmth. It was the only way they would sleep without being held. I found this made them 'lay down' the way they do when relaxed.

I read that people have had trouble raising peachicks as they don't eat much, but I had quite the opposite problem!
I fed them mashed and boiled egg yolk, and mealworms (with the heads cut off). Basically just protein as they wouldn’t touch starter crumble and I wasn't a fan of trying them on cat food.
My Mum and I were pretty relaxed when it came to introducing fresh foods. We started them off with greens like lettuce and broccoli, then grated carrot, tomato, grapes, and anything cut small enough for them to swallow. Both Sweet Pea and Mint Pea have a weakness for strawberries.

They grew up with a lot of love and attention, and both have very different personalities (which I'm sure everyone says about their pets). Sweet Pea has a really sweet nature. She never snatches food and is a really relaxed bird. Mint pea on the other hand is very snatchy, and inquisitive. I have recently discovered that Mint is a boy, which makes sense! He is currently finding his voice, making all kinds of strange honking noises.

They both spent a lot of time with people, living in our house up until a couple of months ago. I did take them outside for lots of 'walkies' when they lived inside, to let them forage and discover new things. They now live in a big cage outside, soon to be upgraded.
They seem to have found their 'wild side', no longer watching Masterchef as they fall asleep, though they do occasionally come inside for a visit (very handy for cockroach removal).

I let them out to stretch their wings and legs every day, which starts off with an excited flap around, then usually ends up with them laying down somewhere sun-bathing (what a hard life). On the weekends they spend a lot of time outside, gardening with my Mum. They help by weeding the garden, though they are yet to learn the difference between weeds ands plants. I can always tell by Mint's breath when he has snacked on the garlic chives in the herb garden. My Mum and I are lucky to live on a large property, so they have a lot of space to roam and fly about. I may sound like a crazy bird lady, but I love spending time with my Peas.

Now to a couple of questions:

I am a little worried about some posts which suggest keeping them locked up for 3 months to keep them as 'free roaming' birds.
Is this only for adult or untamed birds? As my Peas are still quite young and follow me around outside like a shadow. We have had a few instances of flying onto the roof, or flying over the house, but they always return when called.

I am also worried about the cold temperatures Perth has been experiencing, as we are coming into Winter. Are there any major health issues associated with cold temperatures and Peafowl? Is there any supplements I could be feeding them to prevent this? I have covered half their cage with a tarp to prevent the ground of the cage from the rain.
Sweet Pea has a particular distaste for wet feet, preferring to fly over wet grass than to walk through it. I'm sure they really hate the rain and the cold.

That's all really. Just wanted to share my experiences my peachicks, and now my peahen and a peacock.
Attached is a couple of photos of my Peas. Thanks for your time

Brigitta

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File comment: Sweet Pea ~ 1 month sleeping on my bed

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File comment: Sun bathing after a hard day

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File comment: Hanging out ♥

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PeacockNSW · **Posted:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:23 am

Sounds like you have all bases covered. Great story by the way they are lucky peas with so much attention. You won't need to lock them up as you have hand raised them so they know you and your house just watch the cold weather as they are still young [if the photos are recent] just make sure you keep the cage dry and they don't get the cold draft. At that age you can give them some greens like lettuce and even a little bread and yes some cat biscuits are good for them. I would not worry about the meal worms now as they need to start on an adult diet so start to switch their diet slowly and give them some shell grit also. Keep us up dated on their progress

SweetPea+MintPea · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:28 pm **Posts:** 6

Thanks for your reply

I didn't think about adding shell grit into their diet.. I will do that soon.

What do you think about a general poultry grain mix? It has wheat, corn, some pellets and probably shell grit too.
I changed to this from the starter crumble last week, they are 6 months old now (photos aren't in the correct order), and they are being very snobby and picking out the bits they like.
They seem to really like my bird's seed, is it okay to mix this in with it?

Sorry I have a lot of questions! It's nice to have somewhere to ask advice. All the places I buy seed from say 'peacocks?!?!' when I ask for advice haha

PiedPeas · **Posted:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:46 pm

You need to add sunflower pref grey stripped but black is ok they love it. Are you using whole corn or cracked? Mine don't eat pellets well the layer pellets anyway and don't forget their extra treats like sultanas and rice

SweetPea+MintPea · **Joined:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:28 pm **Posts:** 6

Good to know! They do love the sunflower seeds.
I think they are laying pellets, so probably only good for chickens?

I'm sure my Peas will thank you for your sultana and rice advice

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

Joe's Peafowl · **Joined:** Mon May 02, 2011 1:45 am **Posts:** 3

That is a good story. I also started with a hand tame peacock and he is my best mate now he goes everyware I go on the property even on the bike. I have just got 2 more but they are in a cage and I think I will keep them there

PheasantsOfPerth · **Joined:** Sun May 15, 2011 10:18 pm **Posts:** 13

Yes thanks for sharing that I like your pictures also

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

Great story and Really cool names :mrgreen:

I have handraised quite a few and you won't have to worry about them roaming , As for the cold . Where I live it is cold , at the moment it's freezing , Just make sure they have somewhere they can get out of the wind and the rain . .

LOOLOO · **Posted:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:32 am

They are so cute

I enjoyed reading your story too

LooLoo

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