Guide to Ordering and Keeping Peafowl

To purchase peafowl at Meyer Hatchery, shop our website.

How are peafowl shipped?

Peafowl are shipped on Wednesdays, USPS Priority Mail Express, and will typically arrive in 1-3 days at your local post office. Peafowl are not available for pickup. Male peafowl with full tails may arrive with tails clipped or taped to facilitate shipping. It's imperative that you track your order as they are headed your way to make sure you are able to pick them up immediately.

How do I introduce my peafowl?

Peafowl can be placed immediately into your prepared aviary.

Will my peafowl fly away?

If you release them to free-range upon arrival, they will absolutely fly or run away! Once you have had your peafowl in an aviary for at least 3-4 months, you can successfully "free-range" them, however, you may have difficulties getting them to ever return to an aviary. White millet is helpful with training. 

I live in a very cold area, can I have peafowl here?

Yes! Peafowl are hardy in all climates. The only issue peafowl can have with the cold, is frostbite on their toes. It is important to give them a nice wide roost for them to keep their feet warm at night. A 2x4 makes an ideal roost. 

How do I set up a great aviary for my peafowl?

The bigger the better, but at a minimum, a 10x10 aviary is recommended. Peafowl need a roost and the ideal height is 4 feet off the ground. Add bushes and small trees for enrichment as well as cover. They also need a place to get out of the elements, such as a roof with sides, but does not have to be an enclosed "coop" like you would for chickens. 

What do peafowl eat?

Peafowl will eat almost anything including insects, seeds, grains, berries, and fruits, but should be provided a source of standard game bird feed and drinking water for a balanced, healthy diet. Peafowl are also notable for eating snakes and are often purchased for desert areas for rattlesnake control. White millet is a favorite treat and an excellent tool for training.

What predators do I need to protect my peafowl from?

If you have them in an aviary, just make sure that you are using field fencing or welded wire, not chicken wire. If they are free-ranging, your biggest predators will be the owl, fox, raccoon, coyotes, wolves, and even dogs.

What is the proper name for peafowl of different genders and ages?

A male peafowl is called a peacock, females are called a peahen, and babies are called peachicks.

Can I own peafowl where I live?

There are no federal or state restrictions to where we can ship peafowl. Just make sure they are okay in your local jurisdiction, neighborhood, HOA, etc! 

Can I keep more than 1 pair of peafowl together in the same aviary?

While many people do keep more than 1 pair, typically only 1 male for multiple females. Once they are 3 years old, breeder age, they can begin to become territorial. 

Can I keep peafowl with other types of birds?

Peafowl can safely be kept with pheasants and chickens. Other types of birds are not recommended. Very specifically, never keep peafowl and turkeys together, as turkeys can carry diseases, such as blackhead's disease, that has no effect on other birds, but are lethal to peafowl. 

Do peafowl need any type of vaccinations?

No, there are no recommended or effective vaccines available for peafowl. 

How old are my peafowl?

Peafowl are considered yearlings from age 1 year to about 3 years of age, at which point they are then considered breeder age.