How to Own Peacocks As Pets

Peacocks are male peafowl, while peahens are the females. These gorgeous creatures are all commonly called peacocks and they are the largest of the pheasant family. A male peacock can grow to be over 7 feet in length, but over 5 feet of this length is the feathers that cover his tail. Learning how to own peacocks as pets isn't difficult; however, you should learn all you can before bringing them home.

• Keep baby peacocks, called peachicks, in a brooder at 95 degrees Fahrenheit until they are six weeks old. Feed peachicks a chick starter feed during the first six weeks and after that, you can start feeding them a pre-mixed peachick feed, oats and cracked corn. 


• Place your peacocks in a pen for at least one month after you bring them home, so they can become familiar with their new surroundings. After this time, you can keep them in the pen or let them roam freely.


• Furnish a 200 square foot pen for two adult peacocks. Build at least one roost in the pen. Make sure that predators such as foxes, dogs and hawks cannot get into the pen. Surround the pen with wire fencing such as chicken wire to keep the predators out. 


• Provide a shelter with a roof so your peacocks can get inside during bad weather. Peacocks cannot tolerate freezing temperatures without adequate shelter.


• Purchase game bird pellets or cracked corn for your peacocks to eat. If your peacocks roam free, they will also munch on plants, grass, bugs and the occasional snake. Feed fruits and vegetables for a treat.


• Avoid making sudden movements, loud noises or sneaking up on your peacocks, as they startle easily and can become stressed.


• Supply a large, clean tractor tire filled with hay or straw for a nesting peahen to lay her eggs. Place the tire inside the shelter.


• Avoid keeping two males together inside the same pen, because they will fight.