Tips for a Successful Freeranging Flock
Many people dream of acquiring peafowl that will roam their property at whim. While this can be accomplished, it is not as easy as it might seem. There are some disadvantages to freeranging, and it needs to be approached carefully for it to work as planned.
Although I've never let my peacocks freerange, I've talked to many peafowl owners both in person and online and this issue has often surfaced. The most common mistake I've come across is that people let their new birds out too early. Excited about their new purchase and anxious to see how they fit in, they let them out immediately, or only wait a week or two. Completely unattached to their new surroundings and wondering where home went, usually the birds will fly or wander off, and the new owners are disappointed and out birds and money. I have had more than one customer call me a week or two after they bought peafowl and tell me that their birds flew off. This is an unfortunate occurrence that can usually be prevented by keeping the new peafowl penned for at least a few months. Many people I've talked to who freerange birds recommend at least three months. Although you can probably get away with fewer, this is really a situation where it is better to be safe than sorry. Of course you will want to let your birds out earlier, but checking your emotions can save you a big loss. Take the time while the birds are penned to get to know them. Offer them treats, such as bread or veggies. Establish a feeding routine that you can continue once the birds are let out. Peafowl are creatures of habit, so it they get real familiar with your area they are less likely to want to leave it.
You will need some sort of pen to house your new peacocks before you let them out-there's really no way around this. It can be something makeshift and smaller than you would make an all out run-but don't cramp the birds too much. You want them to be happy and comfortable so they want to stick around. Make sure there is some sort of shelter to provide shade and allow the peafowl to get out of wind, rain or snow. They will also need a roost to sleep on. If possible, place the pen in an area that you would like to continue to feed the birds once they are released.
An important part of freeranging is establishing familiarity. Create a feeding routine, and if at all possible continue it exactly once you let the birds out. Continue to feed them inside the pen (or take the pen away but still feed them in that area) so they will always know where to return. This way, it is also a lot easier to catch the birds at a later date if necessary. Some people lock their peafowl in at night to protect them from predators, and this can easily be done if you feed them in the early evening inside a barn or pen-just close the door once everyone is inside. In this way you could also coral peafowl to pen and separate them during breeding season if you want to keep track of hens and their eggs.
Once you have had the birds for a few months and are ready to let them out leave their pen door open one day and let them wander out on their own. It is very important to make sure there is nothing to spook the birds when they first venture out or they might fly off and not return! This means keep any dogs, no matter how benign, out of the way. It would be a good idea not to offer any treats the first few days in new places so they are forced to return to their pen for food. This should hopefully keep them coming back even if they stray off your property a bit.
If properly acclimated most peafowl stick around, but as with any free animal there is always the possibility they could leave. There is also a higher risk of predator problems with nesting hens and young chicks. To familiarize yourself with the risks associated with freeranging, please check out Freeranging or Penning: Which is Right for You?. But if you take the time to accustom your new birds to their new home and go into it aware of the risks, freeranging peafowl can be a wonderful experience.
For more information about freeranging peafowl check out:
- Training Peafowl to Stay at Home @ Hopkins' Alternative Livestock
- Peafowl Wing Clipping @ Hopkins' Alternative Livestock
