Peabody boy and girls, up for adoption

Its the time for our dear little peababies to "fly the coop" I hate to loose them, But I simply cannot have 8 peafowl here. I have limited myself to our original 4.

.

It seems like just a minute ago, they were wee pea-chicks! 

 Now, our 2 little peaboys and 2 little peagirls are looking for a good home, with lots of space to roam around in, a garden to be beautiful in and  a mistress or master who will love them.

 At this age, it is difficult to tell the males apart from the females, save for a copper colored wing feather adorning only the males. We have 2 males, 2 females.

 I will soon be putting an ad, online, for their adoption, but wanted to give my readers first chance to adopt. If you live near enough our farm to pick them up ,( I am in East Tennessee) consider the joy of having peafowl in your life.

  Let me tell you all that you need to know about this wonderful bird.

 It goes without saying that they are gorgeous creatures, even the females, who don't have the spectacular feathers and color as the boys, but are graceful and elegant with lovely shades of turquoise, blues, aquas and greens adorning their long necks.

                                           

The males? No words necessary, just look at this handsome fellow below.

  This is a daddy, Hans... or Moses.. I still can't tell them apart. 

It takes at least a year for the males to get their true colors. In late summer, all the tail-feathers fall out one by one, and once they are gone, the feathers begin to grow back over the winter. Each  new tail grows  longer  than the one before.

.

This male has lost his tail feathers for the year. 

 The males start to grow that beautiful tail at around 2 years old and females of 2 years will begin to lay eggs.

  These are very intelligent birds, much more so than any of my other bird flock. They can be quite tame and will come when you summon them with treats. My youngsters  are eating from my hand. 

 What DO they eat? Ours free-range on BUGS, grass, and weeds. I supplement their diet with corn and they have a particular love of dry cat food, bread, chicken bones and just about anything you toss to them.  I have only seen them eating flowers once.  Here is a great plus for the gardener: peacocks, unlike chickens, do not cultivate in your garden and destroy everything in sight. They will, however, pick off the Japanese beetles and the other noxious pests, one by one.They stroll through the cottage garden  with great dignity and elegance, looking quite at home. You will love it! Oh the photos you will get!

  They do like to traipse through your vegetable garden and grab a tomato occasionally, but they won't devastate your crops.

You should have 2 birds, they need a companion and will become best friends.. I will only sell mine as pairs.

 

 They do get along with all other birds, but will definitely be the dominate, head honcho on your farm. ALL birds are beneath the Peacock ( at least they think so), as they are the ELITE of the bird world. No one messes with a peacock, even my dogs steer clear.

Peacocks, both male and female, perform a comical little dance when trying to show off or intimidate. I can't even describe it to you, it's a bit like the hokey-pokey.  They will shimmy, shake their back feathers and turn round and round. They are specifically trying to get the attention of another peafowl, but if one is not available, they will dance for any old rooster, hen or duck.

  Peafowl need protection from bad weather, they hate the rain. They need a barn or a shed to take shelter. But in the summer, they will happily roost in your trees at night.  Which brings me to this; Of course they fly, and until they are accustomed to their new home, they may sit on your roof for a few days. It is best to keep them in a confined space, like inside a barn, for about a week before letting them out. But they need room to roam, birds need freedom and should not be confined permanently.

.

 Peacocks have many many different voices,  a honk, cluck, ,  a chirp, a whistle, a quiet pleasant,click, click, click, and the males have, what would best be described as a "SCREECH" The first time you hear it, you are shocked! But you get used to it and come to enjoy the  absurd sound.  Your neighbors may disapprove, OR, they may like it too.. This is not a sound they make often, only during mating season, or to warn of a predator. The Peacock screech has been compared to the sound of cats fighting, a baby crying or a woman screaming... but I don't hear the similarity at all!

 Am I forgetting anything?  You may add to this list,if you wish.

I love these birds! I really do. I wholeheartedly recommend you add a pair to your farm family. I will be asking a very fair price for a pair. If you have any questions or  are interested in adopting our Peabody adolescents, born and bred in Hopalong Hollow, please email me at jeri@hopalonggreetings.com.
 Thanks for visiting today!  Jeri