New Perches for My Peafowl
My flock of peafowl is growing and thriving here at my Bedford, New York farm. I now have nine of these magnificent birds including a month-old peachick I hatched in a specially made incubator.
All my adult peacocks and peahens live in a very safe and comfortable pen near my stable, where they get lots of attention from visiting friends and family. Peafowl can add an exotic element to any farm, but caring for them is a huge responsibility. Not only do they need high quality food and ample exercise, but birds must also have a safe place to roost - they like to be up high to see what is around them and to escape from predators if needed.
All my outdoor birds have access to natural perches made from felled or damaged trees here at the farm. Recently, I had two trees moved and "planted" near the peafowl coops. Enjoy these photos.
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- Not long ago, it was necessary to cut down two trees that were not doing well. I always try to reuse or repurpose everything I can, and decided these trees would make wonderful perches for my peafowl to use during the day. Here is one of the two being moved to its new location.
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- The tree was gently lowered and placed on two large branches to support it while a proper hole was dug nearby.
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- Here is the crew wheeling the other tree into the peafowl pen. These trees can weigh upwards of three or four hundred pounds each.
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- This tree was also gently lowered near the “planting” site.
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- Using a post hole digger, my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring, digs a big hole for one of trees on one side of the large peafowl coop.
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- He digs the hole about two to three feet deep, so it can safely secure the tree.
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- Using a tamping bar, Chhiring compacts the soil in the hole so it is level.
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- Because most of my peacocks and peahens have been raised here at the farm, they’re all accustomed to the various noises – they are very curious animals. It did not take long before this male came out of the coop to see what was happening.
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- Here is the newly dug hole – any adjustments to the opening will be made as the tree is “planted”.
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- The bottom of the tree is also trimmed, so it sits level when placed into the hole.
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- The tree is carefully lifted, gently raised, and then inserted into the newly dug hole. It fits perfectly.
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- Once it is level and straight, Chhewang backfills the hole – first with some gravel to keep it extremely secure and then with soil.
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- Here he is tamping down the soil to make sure it is well compacted around the trunk of the tree.
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- It looks great – and this tree, with all its many branches, will be a nice perch for the peafowl.
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- Here is another look at the newly “planted” tree. I also built a new fence around the entire peafowl pen to protect them and to keep them from flying too far from home. I will share more photos of this new fence in an upcoming blog.
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- Here is the other tree being carried by our strong crew.
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- It looks very straight here in this new location. The needles will eventually fade to brown and fall.
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- I know my peafowl will love this tree also. Birds like to nap while roosting. In the wild, roosting birds are alerted to any vibrations or noises predators make if they climb the tree looking for prey.
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- This enclosure is used for my adolescent peafowl. There are also perches in this pen. The netting is made of nylon and is strong enough to weather the elements.
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- Peafowl are beautiful birds, but do not underestimate their power – they are extremely strong with very sharp spurs.
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- This young peacock is nearly two years of age – incubated and hatched right here at the farm.
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- Here is one of my young peahens venturing out of the coop. Peafowl are ground feeders. They do most of their foraging in the early morning and evening. As omnivores, they eat insects, plants, grains and sometimes small creatures.
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- Full grown, peafowl can weigh up to 13-pounds. This one still has some growing to do, but he is in excellent health and eats very well. All the peacocks and peahens get lots of fresh, organic treats from my gardens.
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- Peafowl are very smart, docile and adaptable birds. They are also quite clever and will come close to all who visit – hoping to get a treat or two.
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- Both male and female peafowl have the fancy crest atop their heads called a corona.
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- Next year, this male should have a fuller tail of beautiful feathers. Right now, these feathers are very short. Peahens usually choose males that have bigger, healthier plumage with an abundance of eyespots.
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- These birds are so photogenic with their iridescent blue necks – so handsome.
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- The older peafowl live in the larger coop. All of them will love their new outdoor perches. It will be nice to see them perched high keeping watch over all that happens here at the farm.
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