Peacock behaviour -- Peafowl Talk

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Subject: Peacock behaviour

Author:
helen

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Date Posted: 05:28:14 05/20/09 Wed

Okay, so can anyone explain WHAT an earth is going on now? I am used to my peacocks (2 years old) spending the day wandering around my three acre garden. Then, four days ago, one of them went and layed down next to my two chickens in their run. He just lays next to them (the wire of the run separting them) companionably ALL the day until he roosts. The only thing he does differntly is get on top of their coop and call (mainly until we let the hens out into the run in the morning)and occasionally walk a foot or two away to peck at the lawn or display his fan. I have fed the peacocks in the same place for over a year now and he doesn't even come for his food - he just wont leave them. He looks strong and healthy and will certainly eat; but only if i take food to him; so that he doesn't have to leave his chickens. My mum says, his behaviour is like a broody hen!!! Can you explain? thank you

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Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Peacock behaviour
Author: D C T --friendly poultry orthopedist [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 04:05:35 05/21/09 Thu Was he raised by a chicken hen or were his companions in his young days chickens so that he has an identity crisis? ------- is he taking a "dust bath" while resting there? ------- is he strong enough to run and fly? ...... just trying to sort out the reason for you.....

[> [> Subject: Re: Peacock behaviour

Author:
helen
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Date Posted: 05:40:05 05/21/09 Thu

Thank you! i am so so happy knowing i can always rely on you :)
No, he was raised just with his mother and one brother and sister. There weren't any chickens on the property. I brought him and his brother and had them penned for the first 8 months, when i let them free they flew straight over to sit with and display to the next door neighbour's chickens - the neighbours were NOT pleased so i caught them and penned them again and brought two chickens - they have stayed in the garden ever since and spend a bit of time with the chickens - but this is ridiculous!! He looks strong, healthy, can run, fly to roost, display his fan, call from the top of the coop..........so it is a mystery. He is not dust bathing there. I would say he looks: calm and protective of them. I wonder, given the time of year, if he thinks they are peahens? I let the chickens out about a month ago and he did try and jump on them immediately - would he do that anyway or does that give you a clue?
Today he has come around and eaten and seems less intense about the chickens. I asked you about the fighting in a previous mail - but since he got fixated on the chickens he has become really serene ......still, i respect your expertise and know that eventually the only option will be to re-home one or pen them seperately..I wish i hadn't got two males to begin with........paying for my mistake now by having to loose one :(
Thank you for your help

[> Subject:

THEY EXIST TO DRIVE OWNER CRAZY

Author:
D C T --friendly poultry orthopedist
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Date Posted: 20:31:04 05/21/09 Thu

Well, this IS the breeding season and a two year old peacock
is very likely to be feeling his hormones.
But I have been observing the peafowl species since 1988
and keep on finding out new things and having to scratch my
head until I am buried under a pile of dandruff!!!!!!!!

and, hey, if you want to really have problem behavior get
some green or spalding peafowls. I can promise you some
trouble.....but I love my spaldings whether green or white
even if they are insanity wrapped in feathers

[> [> Subject: Re: THEY EXIST TO DRIVE OWNER CRAZY
Author: maxie [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 05:59:31 05/23/09 Sat Hey Helen :) My peacock loves the chickens (bantams actually), and is most happy when he's in the pen with them. I actually caught him trying to shag his Mum (pekin bantam) once, which was hilarious! Of course, my peacock was brought up by a bantam, so no wonder he's confused! :)