What Do Peacocks Eat When They're Young? (Diets in the Wild and in Captivity)
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Do you know what baby peacocks eat? For the first 2-4 days in the wild, peachicks will be fed bugs and bits of food by their mothers. They can then forage for insects, seeds, berries, and other foods on their own. Peachicks can be fed game bird starter feed in captivity.
In the wild, what do peachicks eat?
Peachicks consume many of the same items as their mother peahen and other peafowl in the wild - but in smaller bitesize chunks.
Peachicks can survive for up to 48 hours without food when they first hatch. Because they've been taking nutrition from the yolk sack, this is true for most birds emerging from eggs.
For the first several days, the mother peahen will feed pieces of food to her peachicks and keep a watchful eye on them.
Peachicks, on the other hand, are usually foraging and scratching about within 3-4 days, figuring out what they can and can't consume on their own.
Peafowl are omnivores, meaning they eat everything. They'll consume – or at least attempt to eat – berries, grains, and other edible plant stuff of any type. As well as any insects, bugs, or creepy crawlies they can get their hands on.
We do know, however, that peacocks have thrived in the wild for thousands of years. They're fantastic at locating food sources!
In captivity, what do you feed peachicks?
If you're raising peachicks in your backyard or anywhere else where they won't be able to find enough food on their own, you'll need to provide commercial feed.
Everyone I know who has reared peafowl, as far as I'm aware, feeds them anyhow. It's the most effective technique to guarantee that kids have all of their dietary requirements satisfied.
Peachicks and peafowl in general need a high protein diet to be healthy. This is partly due to the fact that their gorgeous feathers, which are made up of around 90% protein, need a lot of energy to develop and maintain.
For best health and development, feed peachicks the following:
From 0 to 12 weeks of age, a high quality game bird starting meal should be used. This one from Manna Pro, which is available on Amazon, is 25 percent protein and particularly created for game birds, with the correct combination of minerals and vitamins.
Some owners, I'm told, like a diet with a protein content of 28 percent to 30 percent. If you want to be absolutely certain, talk contact the hatchery/seller where you bought the peafowl or chicks, or your local vet.
From 12 weeks to laying age, you may adjust their diet to one that has a lower protein level. Manna Pro's All Flock Crumbles, available on Amazon, is 16 percent protein and particularly intended for developing game birds.
As their digestive system grows, you may add in some other things with their meal. Many owners, I've heard, began combining maize and other protein-rich foods into their meals.
Peahens and peacocks mature between the ages of two and three years. During the breeding season, Peahens will begin producing eggs and need layer feed.
How Long Do Peacock Babies Remain With Their Mothers?
Peachicks may spend up to six months with their moms. This is far longer than some other birds, such as chickens, which abandon their babies after just a few weeks.
This isn't to say they aren't self-sufficient throughout this time period. After a week or two, peachicks can typically start to fly, or at least go airborne for a short time.
This allows them to escape predators by climbing into trees and other higher-up locations.
Although I'm sure there aren't many predators where you're rearing peachicks, this is a vital factor for them in the wild.
It's amazing to see the friendship between peahen and peachick. It's heartwarming to watch how they've looked after them for so long and helped them learn how to be peafowl.
Is it Difficult to Raise Baby Peacocks?
It's not difficult to rear baby peacocks. At the very least, they're no more difficult to care for than chickens (which are simple), but you'll need extra room since peafowl are bigger, and peacocks have long tail feathers.
In summary, while growing peafowl, you must satisfy the following essential requirements:
Providing the appropriate meal (described above) as well as clean drinking water
A spacious pen or other suitable accommodation
Roosting establishments
Peafowl bedding is simple; they don't need anything special, just something dry and absorbent.
Peafowl like tranquility and don't cope well with stress, despite their ability to make quite a ruckus!
As a general rule, the more area you can provide them to wander without fear of being eaten, the better.
However, there is no denying that they are attractive. This is why you will often find a peacock wandering the grounds of a theme park or zoo.
So don't be shocked if your pals continue to invite themselves over! If you've nurtured them from chicks, they'll typically tolerate some caressing, will feed from your palm, and will most likely follow you around attentively.
Peachicks and Peafowl Hatching Eggs: Where Can You Find Them?
Cackle Hatchery is a great place to go if you're looking for peachicks or fertilized peafowl eggs to hatch in the United States.
Cackle Hatchery is a third-generation family-owned and run company that offers one of the most diverse chicken selections available online. They provide nationwide shipping and excellent customer service.
When I was writing this, I saw that they had a lot of different peafowl kinds. For roughly $53/each, you may get random peafowl chicks or choose from a variety of hues.
They have the typical Indian Blue peafowl, as well as silver pied, black shoulder, the stunning white peafowl, bronze, and a variety of other hues.
If you're interested in adopting peafowl, go to Cackle Hatchery's website to see what's available and how much they cost.
In conclusion, peafowl are unusual and beautiful birds (particularly peacocks), yet they're not difficult to grow.
If you have the room and shelter, I suggest contacting Cackle Hatchery or a nearby hatchery that sells peafowl to see what you can find.
One of the most satisfying and delightful experiences is seeing peafowl mature into full-size peacocks and peahens. Best of luck!