Feeding

I receive a lot of questions regarding care and feeding of peafowl, so hopefully, these tips will offer some insight.

Feeding: We start all of our peachicks on game bird starter, 28% protein. I also put Poult-Pak Vitamins in their waterers from their first day in the brooder. After approx. three weeks, we begin mixing the game bird starter with the all-purpose feed (16%) at a ratio of 2 parts game bird to one part all-purpose. After one week, the ratio is 2-1 in favor of the all-purpose, then one week later, we no longer use the starter at all. I continue use of the vitamins through this entire period. By this point in time, if the chicks are growing well, and feathering well, they are moved outside to one of the chick barns with large flight pens. I will no longer put the vitamins in their water every day, but do begin giving them excellent alfalfa hay.

All other peafowl are fed a mixture of the all-purpose feed combined with corn chop, milo chop, and rolled wheat in the winter. I also add soybean meal to the yearlings feed to increase the protein since they are still growing. When the breeders are moved out of the barns and into their breeding pens, I begin adding a layer mash to their feed. Half layer, half all purpose for approx. one week, then nothing but layer. At this point in time, the weather has begun to warm up, so the corn and milo are eliminated. We still feed wheat mixed in, as well as a high-protein, small nugget dog food. All birds receive hay year around. When my friends with large gardens produce too many vegetables, my peafowl reap the rewards of their labor, and thoroughly enjoy it. I have, in the past, worked out an arrangement with my local grocery store for all of their produce they would normally throw away. This usually goes into a large pile for the chickens, geese, and free-ranging blues. The other birds would love some, too, but there’s never enough to go around, and I always feel guilty if I feed one pen, and the ones next door are looking at me, so I just put it outside for the chickens to eat.

All of the birds enjoy treats, and seem to have a very advanced palate. They like black sunflower seeds, and most fruits and vegetables. Watermelon and cantaloupe will be consumed down to the rind. Grapes and apples are other favorites. Bread is also something they look forward to, and our local day-old bread store is a good source for loaves that they would normally throw away.

Whatever you are raising, whether it be chickens, peafowl, waterfowl, or guineas, needs a good balanced diet. Your birds will lay better, hatch better, and be better able to withstand stress.