AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

I am new to this forum (I have never been on any forum previously) so please forgive me if this topic is in the wrong place or is inappropriate. I have also posted to the Notice Board
I have had peacocks for a number of years now and really love them. I live on 68 acres and have done for 34 years. However, a relatively new neighbour does not like my birds. In addition the neighbour refuses to maintain the property (72acres) in any way with the result that the majority of the property (open grassland) is covered in weeds, blackberry and love grass taller than myself. For the first time ever, three of my peahens chose to nest somewhere on the neighbouring property and despite all my efforts I could not find their nests as I could not enter the property to search thoroughly. Both properties border a National Park so we have visits from predators from time to time and also domestic dogs let out at night. But, defying foxes, quolls, dogs etc. two of the peahens presented me with 9 peachicks. One arrived with 3 chicks on the 7th November, 2011 and the second with 6 chicks on 21st November, 2011. However the third peahen wasn’t so lucky and never returned and I can only assume she was taken by a fox, dog or quoll. I have never had to lock up my peafowl during the mating, nesting or any other season, but may have to do so in the future.

I would love to keep all the chicks but it isn’t practical, especially when I have an aggressive neighbour and I already have 3 males I just can’t part with (2 blue and 1 blue pied) so I must find a home for any males in the group. The chicks are friendly, come for food when they are called and are very sweet so I sincerely hope someone can give them a home. I don’t want any money for them.

If you can help please contact me by email at gmekds@yahoo.com.au and I will provide my telephone number.

How many of the peachick are peacocks? Try a free advertisement in the for sale section that should get some attention.

I am not sure what sex they are, but I would say a fair percentage are males. Thank you so much for your advice re the free ad in the for sale section. Shall give that a shot.

The most common method is males have red tinting in their flight feathers and hens have brown with spotting

or

you can use this viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1635&start=0&hilit=sex+peachicks

Both will work well

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I have just found this forum and I am learning so much. I have previously not been concerned as to the sex of the chicks because I have kept the chicks that were born here.
As soon as the rain stops I shall round them up and check flight feathers and crests. Hopefully this will give me some indication as to how many of my chicks I must find homes for. Again many thanks.

Hi again,

We just had a few minutes of sunshine and 'Three pack' (trio born first - 7th November 2011) spread out and preened in the sun. I was able to take two photos of the three with their wings splayed out showing their flight feathers, and I guess they are males. If that is the case I fear that the majority of the 9 chicks are in fact males which is a very sad day for me.
I have uploaded a couple of photos just to confirm I am correct. Please advise. I will then find 'Six pack' and check them out. Hopefully I may have at least one female amongst the six - fingers crossed.

At the least 3 are yearling peacocks

Thank you very, very much for your advice. It is much appreciated.

I agree with bp

george

Thanks George. Even more bad news for me. There is only one female among the other 6 chicks so I guess that 8 of the nine chicks are males. I am not sure if it is possible to find homes for that many males.
I have advertised on the Notice Board but no luck so far. I guess it is extremely difficult to place yearling peacocks but I have never been in this position previously and know nothing about it. Is it possible do you think?
Again thanks for the replies to my email.