We always think one season ahead at Peacocks UK. So although Christmas and New Year have only just finished . Already we are thinking forward to the breeding season. It is at this time of year that the preparations that we make will impact on how successful the peafowl breeding season will be.
First we look at the peacocks that we have that are breeding age. I am passionate about genetics and so it is at this time of year that I plan any special breeding that we are going to do that year. We want the peacocks to be happy so we move them into their breeding groups early during the year. This way they have had time to get used to each other, before the season starts. So any pen moves or peafowl moves are carefully planned.
We always try to move peacocks into different pens late afternoon or early evening. It seems to cause less distress and the bird seems to settle into their new home more quickly. However another benefit is that they are also accepted by any incumbent birds much more quickly.
Preparing for optimal health
Once the peacocks are settled into their new home it is time to think about diet. Usually thoughtout the year we feed our peacocks on Game Maintenance feed. This feed still has a high protein content to get the peacocks through the winter months in prime condition. However February is the time to switch it up and move the breeding birds onto Game Breeder pellets. This has a higher protein content to get both the peacocks and peahens into optimum condition prior to the start of the breeding season.
Next we worm the peacocks, this is usually completed by the end of February. Read my page on worming peafowl for more information. Again we do this to maximise the health of the peahens and peacocks. And then we wait!
However this year the first egg was laid so early on the 29th January. This is way too early and the egg was unlikely to be fertile.
Preparing well in advance for the peacock breeding season helps to ensure a good hatch rate.