Everything you need to know about breeding peacocks at home

Probably, there is not a single person indifferent to the beauty of these proud birds with a magnificent fan behind their backs. But one thing is to admire them from the side, and the other is to engage in breeding yourself.

Ardent zeal to acquire an exotic poultry house at first cools the logical question "Why?". The answer is obvious: first, it is aesthetic pleasure right at home; secondly, it is the most delicious nutritious meat and eggs; and thirdly, it is an opportunity to earn.

So, the miracle bird is already in your backyard. Let's try to figure out how demanding the peacocks are in caring and feeding, and what every hen house owner should know.

Description of the bird of paradise

Peacocks' natural native environment is South Asia, but they live all over the world, even in the coldest regions of Canada. Moreover, in many countries, birds are worshiped as an unearthly miracle in fairy tales, legends, folk myths.In India, the peacock is considered a national bird and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A characteristic sign of the peacock-male is the impulsive development of the upper tail feathers on the tail, which together with the core feathers form the tail fan. Due to the bright plumage and lush tails with a peculiar "eyes", these birds are considered the most beautiful of all the chicken.

They belong to the Fazanov family. Today, zoologists distinguish between two species of birds of paradise: the green peacock (blue-winged) and the common peacock (Indian). By the way, the latter will be discussed further, since it was his man who was able to domesticate.

Females are much smaller and more modest than the males. In the question how much the peacock weighs, the gender of the bird also plays the role. Weight is about 3-4 kg. They have a much shorter tail, a greenish lower part of the neck and dull gray-brown feathers on the wings and back. Their body length is about 95 cm. Males are in most blue. Their length, not including the tail, reaches from 100 to 150 cm, with a tail - up to 3 m. The wings are short, the legs are high and the average length of the tail. The back of the scaly, bronze-green color, with black and copper marks.

These are birds of strong build, weighing up to 4-6 kg, with a long neck, a small head, on which there is a peculiar blue forelock of feathers with bare black shafts. A white band above the eye and a white spot in the shape of a crescent under the eye are formed by bare skin. On the sides of the head iridescent greenish-blue feathers.

The tail of the peacock is dark brown with a pearly green and blue tint, has only 20 feathers. But in the composition with an elongated upper tail, which consists of more than 200 feathers, a spectacular fan is created.

In the fluffed form, its height is in human height, and its width is up to 2.5 m.

The male must have spurs on his legs. They appear, like a luxurious tail, only in the second year of life and develop to the age of four. Females independently incubate their offspring, and males dance until they lose their tail. In the fall, birds start to moult.

In the wild, peacocks live in groups in wet and dry deciduous forests, and also settle near human dwellings, where food and water are available. They feed on berries, grains, prey on lizards, small snakes and rodents.

Their loud cries during the mating season easily give prey to predators. Scientists distinguish 13 variants of peacock calls, including 6 alarming ones. These birds prefer to escape by flight and never rise to the sky. Surprisingly, for the roost they soar into tall trees. Roosters acquire a harem of 3-5 laying hens. Many are interested in how many years peacocks live. On this topic, scientists have long debated. Today there is an opinion that in the conditions of the natural environment the bird of paradise can live for about 15 years, while in captivity its maximum age is 23 years.

Requirements for poultry

Keep peacocks in the yard is not more difficult than chickens.They are friendly with people, not picky about growing conditions and food, rarely get sick, easily tolerate cold and rain.

In the harsh winters, the birds need an insulated barn for the night, and in the daytime they still go out for a walk in the aviary. In the warm season, they spend the night outdoors until the frosts, for this they love to climb trees. Therefore, it is worthwhile to take care of a separate aviary, barn and special poles in advance.

It is advisable to sow part of the enclosure with perennial herbs that will serve as pasture for your pets. You will also need a corner with ashes in which birds will take baths.

Neighborhood in one aviary with turkeys, chickens, ducks is unacceptable. Peacocks do not tolerate strangers in their home and will certainly express aggression, they can even peck up to death.

The maintenance of peacocks on the plot requires care, regardless of the fitness of the birds. They will like, in addition to the enclosure and the shed, a small shed with poles or trees in which they will spend the night in the summer and hide from the sun and rain.

In a herd, there should be 3-4 females per male. They begin to rush at the age of two. For this birds equip nests.

Poultry building and protection from predators

Breeding peacocks at home provides for an extensive enclosure up to 3 m high, wide and up to 5 m long.

In it at the level of 2 m equip poles for roost. They can also serve as branches of trees. Consider that no more than 6 birds (1 male and 5 females) can fully develop in this area. From the north side they attach a shed up to 2.5 m in width and height, up to 3 m in length. A prerequisite for the house is wide windows through which peacocks could penetrate inside.

Also an integral part of the chicken coop is the nest. They can be equipped from drawers or wicker baskets, with the expectation that the height and width of each should reach 60 cm, and depth - 70 cm. The bottom is laid out with straw or sawdust, as is the floor of the house. These materials absorb moisture well and retain heat. To avoid reproduction of germs and bacteria in the litter, sprinkle lime powder on top of it.

Perches are attached to the walls of the room at a level of 1.5 m from the floor. The bar should be from the side where the peacock's legs become, not less than 12 cm. 6 cm is enough in width. For pavchat poles are placed in two tiers.

The enclosures for peacocks covered with a 10-centimeter layer of calcined river sand, scatter small pebbles in it, set up a corner with ashes. Inside the fence and chicken coop they place drinkers and feedings, seeding all hard-to-reach places with straw. Capacity for food and water is better to attach to the walls with the ability to fill them, without going inside. Also, ensure that birds do not scoop up food, do not soak it with water.

At home, feeders make their dry wood without knots. The wall thickness should be no thinner than 10 mm, and the height of the structure should be accessible for unhindered power supply, and at the same time not allowed to climb inside. Be sure to cut the sharp corners so that the peacocks are not injured.

In winter, when the frost exceeds -10 ° C, the herd is closed in the barn. At more severe temperatures (from -15 ° C) the room is heated.To this end, you can use stoves or oil radiators.

To protect the house from predators, take care of the strength of the walls of the barn and aviary. Fencing is often made of durable metal mesh, which can not break the paws of a large dog. Above, too, building shelter to protect the herd from cat attacks. Ensure that foxes and raccoons cannot dig in and sneak in. Especially take care of young offspring.

Breeding season

Puberty in the birds of paradise begins at the age of two or three, when females of peacocks begin to fly, and the tail grows in males.

Understand that the peacocks began the mating season, is easy. About this they notify loud noises. And shrill can shout from morning till night. The birds will be heard not only by your neighbors, but also by the whole district within a radius of five kilometers. Males, who mostly shout, have a nasty, unpleasant voice. Compared to them, females behave much quieter, and paws generally remain silent for up to 2-3 years.

The breeding season lasts from early spring until autumn. Often, like swans, they form permanent pairs that are not recommended, without the need for, to tear down.For posterity young representatives of the herd are left, with good bright plumage. Do not choose a female as a hen, if she has dull, falling feathers.

Before mating, the peacocks perform a dance in front of the female for 20 minutes. At the same time strongly fluff the tail and occasionally knock their wings on the ground. With masculine gait and volumes with raised feathers, the males show their potential to pavas.

Egg Incubation

Pava - bad hens, but very caring mothers. Hatching of offspring twice a year, and rushing, depending on weather conditions, often in the period from mid-spring until the end of summer. Females can leave their eggs throughout their entire territory. To prevent this from happening, take care of a cozy nest covered with soft straw.

The size of the eggs of peacocks are similar to turkey. They are much more eggs, cream-colored with a scarlet shade, in a small dark point. When 5-7 pieces appear in the nest, the female begins to hatch chicks. The instinct of maternity is noticeable when the pava is long in the nest.

Experienced owners collect eggs every day and plant the hen when over 20 eggs are collected, since each female is able to produce up to 30 eggs. For this purpose, only fresh copies are taken, which are not more than 10 days. By the way, they can be enclosed under turkeys and ducks. Eggs that by negligence fell to the floor are no longer suitable for hatching.

Incubation of eggs of peacocks lasts up to 30 days. For successful incubation, the temperature in the hen house should be about 28-30 degrees Celsius. Nestlings are covered with thick brown down, immediately after birth they move well. Like chickens, they follow their mother everywhere, sometimes they climb up on her back and “go” to a cozy corner or feeding. Young animals will reach sexual maturity only in 3 years.

Growing pavchat

Hatching chicks are at first very sensitive to changes in temperature, and are afraid of cold and sun.It is dangerous to keep them together with adults. Therefore, they pavchat with their mother are transferred to another aviary. Its quality plays a key role in the development of avian offspring.

Make sure that all the gaps in the aviary and the barn are well sealed, that the drinkers and the feedings are not dangerous and accessible to the chicks, so that they always have water and food.

The room must be well ventilated and heated. In the first weeks, the temperature regime should be at 36 ° C. Over time, it can be reduced by 2-3 degrees, and after a few months it can be turned off.

In the herd, they leave strong, well-feathered, stable and mobile chicks with a healed navel, which respond well to a light tapping on the floor.

The first two weeks, special attention is paid to the feeding of the brood. Peacocks are different playfulness and mobility. Given this fact, it is necessary to provide that they had plenty of space.

In summer, young peacocks are cultivated on the street, which will allow them to quickly grow.It is important to take care of shelter brood from rain and sun. It is possible to distinguish the sex of chicks 10 days after the appearance of wings. In males, they are creamy with a terracotta tint, and in females they are brown. The grown-up young animals are again divided: some are selected for sale, some are slaughtered.

Peacock breeding features

Breeding copies of peacocks need to be in the warm season. The ideal period is from May to July.

During this time, pavchats must adapt to new conditions and adapt to the cold weather.

If you purchased a brood in the winter, take care of good heating of the poultry houses, as the young birds of paradise do not tolerate cold, moisture and frost. Be careful: during the molting period it is difficult to distinguish a sick bird from a healthy one.

When buying chickens, pay attention to their legs, nose and eyes. On the tribe select healthy chicks. As a rule, they are neat, with pink paws, not sour eyes, a clean beak and the back part, shining feathers. Preference is given to mobile, frisky peacocks.

Feeding pavchat

This aspect plays a crucial role in the process of home rearing of exotic birds.Properly chosen food should not only satisfy the need of peacocks for food, but also provide them with useful substances and exchange energy. In addition, the feed should be as close as possible to the natural wild environment from which the heat-birds came. Both overeating and starvation have a detrimental effect on their health.

As feeds for pavchat up to 20 days of age serve plastic trays or cardboard sheets. Later, the chicks are trained to constant feeding.

Immediately after birth, pavchat are fed with a hard-boiled egg. The rate for each chicken is on average 4–5 g. Fresh cheese, millet, wheat bran, corn flour, chopped carrots, greens, and boiled cereals are also allowed. In order to prevent parasites, it is recommended to treat chicks with finely chopped onion feathers. Later they are offered fish or ground beef.

Feed should be fed at two-hour intervals in a ground form.

Each daily chicken must be given vitamin juice from equal ratios of pressed alfalfa, nettle and carrot.

The number of feedings up to one month of age is gradually adjusted to five times per day. From this period, chicks are transferred to feed intended for broiler chickens and offered small worms.And one and a half months after the birth, you can give crushed grain of wheat, millet, barley. At two months of age, chicks eat the same as adults. They love to eat fruits, berries.

In the first half of the year, the chicks should be regularly mixed drugs for coccidiosis. Do not forget to change the water in the troughs 3 times a day. It should always be clean and fresh.

Feeding adults

Feeding adult peacocks depends on their age and season. Although there is a perception of the omnivorous nature of these birds, their daily ration should be made up of roots, greens, fruits, cereals, and bread. Particular attention to feed the peacocks should be paid in the autumn-winter period. The daily dose is calculated as follows: 50 g of crushed corn, root crops, fruits and vegetables, 40 g of oats and alfalfa flour, 90 g of powdery mixtures.

Some poultry farmers combine the ingredients in a potato-herbal mixture that is slightly salted.In winter, the grass is replaced with hay, dust and grated vegetables. In the morning be sure to offer germinated grain. By the way, the more diverse the cereals, the better the peacock will look.

In summer, birds need daily: 50 g of grass meal, 100 g of boiled potatoes, 70 g of greenery, 200 g of protein foods in the form of dairy products.

Peacocks should not be given hot or raw potatoes. All vegetable and fruit components, as well as herbs, are initially thoroughly washed, then dried. Only fresh ingredients will benefit. It is unacceptable to hit grains with tzvely. Before serving, the grasses are thoroughly sieved, washed with water and dried in the oven or in the sun.

Make sure that there are no leftovers in the food containers. They will certainly be removed, otherwise the birds may eat stale products, which have already begun the process of fermentation. Pre-prepared mixtures can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. In summer it can be served cold, and in winter it is desirable that food be at room temperature. To enter the body of birds of mineral substances, it is desirable to place in the aviary a container with chalk and gravel.

The feeding period begins in the morning and in the evening, and during the molting and reproduction of the peacocks, they are additionally fed at lunchtime.When the birds begin the mating season, they increase the number of eggs, milk and cheese in their diet. During the day, a healthy bird eats about 600 grams of food, of which 400 grams of fresh grass.

In the first meal peacocks are given soft food, and in the second they offer cereal mixes.

If by the end of the day the feeders are empty, they add a mixture in order to last until the morning.

Parasite protection

Peacocks, like chickens, are at risk of being infected by different types of worms. Parasites affect not only the intestines of birds, but also other organs. The disease can manifest itself in different ways. Take a closer look: your help will be needed if the peacocks have lost their appetite and their appearance has deteriorated. Sick birds quickly lose weight, they begin to have yellow diarrhea, their viability decreases. Along with these symptoms, there is a weakening of the immune system, which is fraught with a more serious infectious disease.

Treatment begins immediately after the discovery of the cause of the disease. Young chicks are at particular risk, since with age the birds develop immunity to various helminth infections.Infection can enter the body with poor-quality food and dirty water, as well as in the process of free-range. That is why the peacocks need to be kept exclusively in the aviary, systematically clean and monitor the cleanliness of the house and containers for water and food. Today, the veterinary industry offers a wide range of anthelmintic drugs. Four times a year should be preventive measures against infection of birds. The drugs "Fenasal", "Bitionol", "Ivermectin", "Fluenvet" have proven themselves well. They are mixed into the feed in accordance with the dose specified in the instructions. Carefully read the recommendations of drug manufacturers, when calculating the dose, be guided by the live weight of the bird.

Some poultry farmers use products designed to remove worms in cattle and pigs. But in any case it is better to consult a veterinarian.

Love the peacocks, let care for them not be a burden for you, protect them from stress, and the birds of paradise will thank you.