AN INTRODUCTION TO PEACOCK KEEPING

How to perfect peacock husbandry with Sussanne Chambers from Peacocks UK.

Peafowl were first bred in China as ornamental birds some 4,000 years ago and later introduced to Europe where they were considered a delicacy. The birds, originally from South Asia were exported and frequently bred by various cultures including the Romans, Mesopotamians, and Phoenicians. Nowadays, they are still frequently kept, but usually for sheer appreciation of their outstanding beauty. Even though peacocks are instantly recognisable, there are a lot of things the average person might not know about these flamboyant birds.

Species and varieties

There are three species of peafowl. The Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis) is a threatened species found only in the Congo Basin. Its unique appearance distinguishes it from the Asian species, as it does not have extremely long tail feathers but sports an impressive iridescent green/ blue plumage. The remaining two instantly recognisable species are the Indian blue (Pavo cristatus) and the green peafowl (Pavo muticus). The Indian blue peafowl can be found across the Indian subcontinent and the green peafowl, across Southeast Asia as far South as Java. Like many species found across archipelagos, the green peafowl has several subspecies, P. muticus spicifer P. muticus imperator and P. muticus muticus. Both blue and green peafowl prefer open deciduous woodland habitats, which has prompted the IUCN to list the green peacock as ‘endangered’ due to habitat degradation.

Although green (often referred to as ‘Java’ peafowl) are often available in the world of peafowl keeping, extensive captive breeding of the Indian blue peacock has now created a myriad of popular breeds and colour mutations. The United Peafowl Association lists 225 breeds of peafowl, however, most of these breeds are not available within the UK.

In 2011, Peacocks UK in Worcestershire imported the first rare breed peacocks to the UK. These breeds included Purple, Opal, Burford Bronze, Silver Pied, Cameo and White-eyed. Sussanne Chambers, Founder of Peacocks UK and known by many as the ‘Peacock Lady’ explains: “The breeds which are most popular within the UK are the traditional ones such as the Indian Blue. This is the peacock most people have seen wandering around when they visit stately homes. However, the Black Shouldered peacock is very similar and some people think they are more beautiful. The male has a similar neck and tail to the Indian Blue, but the shoulders are iridescent black and stunning in the sunlight. The Black Shouldered peahens are cream and brown, which is also very pretty. Pure white peacocks, are also very popular. All these breeds are mutations of the traditional Indian Blue peacock.”

Breeders have also cross-bred the black-shouldered and the Java green peafowl, to produce a breed known as the ‘Spalding peafowl’. These are larger birds, with striking colouration that combines the iridescent colours of both species. Even the peahens exhibit a good amount of green iridescence in their plumage. As well as various domesticated breeds, new genetic mutations have produced some stunning pied varieties. ‘Pied’ generally refers to a lack of pigment in some but not all of the animal's body creating patches of white with accents of greens and blues.

Sussanne continued: “For people looking for something a little more unusual, the subtle café o lait colours of the Cameo, the discreet grey with its flashes of emerald and navy of the Opal and the stunning khaki and gold of Burford Bronze peacocks are very alluring. The Silver Pied peacock is a combination of white, with the blue neck of the Indian Blue and silver and grey. The purple peacock has a purple neck and purple eyes within its tail. These rare breeds are now available in the UK through the creation of ethical breeding programmes.”

Peacock keeping is becoming increasingly popular and thus, rare breeds are becoming increasingly more available.

Care and keeping

Peacocks have been kept in the UK for centuries. Often seen patrolling the grounds of large estates, they are often considered symbols of wealth and grandeur. However, peacock keeping is becoming increasingly more popular in rural communities and is no longer restricted to the upper classes.

Peacocks have very similar care requirements to other members of the Phasianidae family, including exotic pheasants and turkeys. There are generally two approaches to caring for these birds. Some opt for ‘free-range’ birds, while others build aviaries. Either way, an enclosure with a covered area is necessary to house peachicks and acclimatise the birds into a free-roaming lifestyle. Sussanne explains: “Originally peacocks were brought to the UK by the landed gentry from their grand tour to adorn their estates. Now, however, peacock keeping is not just for people with a large estate and acres of land.

Peacocks UK is one of the largest breeders of peafowl within the UK. Sussanne Chambers is a recognised UK peafowl expert and regularly comments on peafowl on radio and TV. Sussanne also appears in film with her peacocks, including appearances in Bridgerton and House of the Dragon. Visit www.peacocksuk.com to find out more.

A large garden is a sufficient space to comfortably keep and enjoy peafowl."

Peacocks have their own territories which may cover a garden or neighbouring garden, but in countryside areas with plenty of green space, peafowl can be kept successfully, provided they are given a secure shelter to roost that protects them from weather extremes and predators.

"Peacocks are one of the world’s largest flying birds" Sussanne added. "But it is a bit of an effort for them to fly due to their weight, a full-grown male will weigh on average 5.5 KG! Peacocks like to fly up to a landing place and then fly back down, they rarely fly for fun.”

“If you are planning on keeping peacocks, you will usually need to do some preparation beforehand, even if the new keepers would like to have their peacocks roaming free range. Initially, they will need to be kept in a pen or aviary for two to three months. During this homing period, it is important that the peacocks can see their surroundings so that they get an impression of the lay of the land and where their home is. Over time, the peafowl will get used to their new keepers and their surroundings. When it is time to release the peacocks, it is important to take it slowly. Initially, just one peahen or peacock should be released, leaving the others in the pen. As peafowl hate to be alone, they will hang around the pen where the other birds are still situated. Ideally, if you can get the first released bird back into the pen then you can release the next bird, leaving the originally released peacock in the pen. Even when the peacocks have been released it is important to still care for them by providing access to food and fresh water. Peacocks can be trained to return to the pen in an evening to keep them safe.”

Peafowl should have access to a secure ‘homing’ aviary for the rest of their lives. Although they will happily roost on high perches which may be safe from predators, foxes will attack nesting females on the ground. Furthermore, the aviary will provide respite on cold, or rainy days which can lead to health complications or death in less-hardy varieties.

In the wild, peafowl will scavenge for insects, worms, seeds, and plant matter. As pets, they should be fed a good quality game feed which has a high protein content. As well as a staple diet of commercial game feed, they should receive treats in the form of peanuts, mealworms, fruit and vegetables, cheese and scrambled eggs. The health of a peacock is demonstrated in the mature male peacock’s tail. The healthier the peacock, the more feathers he will have and the larger the 'eyes' within the tail will be. Food types