You may be considering becoming a peacock owner, and are now weighing the pros and cons of the endeavor. While there are many wonderful aspects of these animals, there are a few important tips to consider.
Are peacocks aggressive? Peacocks can live to be 20 years old and, in that time, you can form quite a bond with them. If you raise your peacock from a baby chick, there is a better likelihood that your peacock will come to trust you. However, peacocks are wild animals. If they feel threatened, they will attack. Peacocks can become aggressive if strangers are in their habitat and if other peacocks get too close to their peahens during mating season. As for peahens, they spend about 28 days on their nest incubating their eggs. During this time, they will definitely attack anyone who gets too close to them. It’s important to provide a large habitat for your peacocks and give them space and the opportunity to run to safety. The more respect you give your peacocks, the less aggressive they will be.
Does a peacock attack?
Like any animal, a peacock will attack but there are many reasons for this to happen. Furthermore, male peacocks and female peahens may attack for different reasons.
Peahens become incredibly protective of their eggs and like most animals, will do what they can to keep them alive. After laying their eggs, the incubation period is 28 days and female peahens will remain on their eggs for this time.
If a peahen feels threatened by a predator, she is not able to simply run or fly away. Instead, she will stay by her eggs and attack that predator.
If you are raising peahens, be sure to give them plenty of space during their nesting period. Even if you do not mean any harm, a peahen may still sense a threat.
As for peacocks, they can be quite territorial. Less territory means less food, and this can threaten their very species.
Animals that invade a peacock’s territory may be at risk of attack. While humans don’t normally fall under this category, if you have to go near a peacock, it’s a good idea to keep a careful watch over it.
Finally, peacocks will attack other peacocks during mating season. From early spring to late summer, peacocks vie for the attention of peahens.
Peacocks mate with multiple peahens so it is fierce competition. If another peacock gets too close to other peahens, the mating peacock will attack to ward them away.
Risks of Having Peacocks As Pets
Salmonella poisoning
Peacocks produce a lot of drippings. In fact, this is one important aspect to be aware of before you consider having a peacock as a pet.
All those droppings should be removed from their pen. This creates a tidier area, and the droppings actually make for good fertilizer.
Whenever you leave a peacock’s habitat, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Furthermore, you should have a pair of boots that you only wear in their area so that you can change out of them afterward and not spread their droppings around your yard.
They could fly away
Even though peacocks can’t fly very far, they can fly away. In fact, some of the pocket peacock populations around North America are a result of peafowl who have escaped their enclosures.
You will need to create a habitat that is fenced in. However, this needs to be tall as peacocks like to roost in trees.
Tall fences and wire are needed but space is also important. It can be quite a task to provide the right enclosure for your peacock that provides them with enough space and safety.
They can bite small children
Children are fascinated by peacocks for good reason. Their iridescent plumage is a rarity in the wild.
However, children like to move around a lot and sudden movements can scare peacocks. Even if your child is doing their best, there is a greater risk of biting.
While it’s best to wait until your children are older before getting a peacock, if you want one earlier, be sure to educate them on the appropriate behavior.
Always keep your children supervised when they are near the peacock and wait until they are older before giving them tasks like feeding and cleaning.
Tips for having peacocks as pet
Start with a peachick
Although there is no guarantee as to the temperament of a peacock, if you raise one from when it is a chick, there is a better chance of bonding.
Peachicks are ready around three months of age, as this is when you can tell if they are male or female. They start out as fluffy, yellow-feathered chicks before developing their distinct colors.
Have the right expectations
Yes, you can have a peacock as a pet, but please don’t think they will be the same as a cat or dog. Although they can come to recognize you through their long life, they are not cuddly animals.
Most importantly, peacocks need to stay outside. They will cause too much damage inside, so be prepared for this.
Furthermore, while a peacock may come to allow you to pet it in time, most are content to be on their own and see their human owners as a source of food rather than a companion.
Do peacocks bite humans?
While peacocks do not go out of their way to bite humans, if they feel threatened, they can bite in defense. Peacocks can’t run fast or fly very far so if they are cornered, they need to use what they have available.
Acts of aggression include biting, honking, and screeching. You should always give your peacock plenty of space.
Don’t move too fast and instead, let your peacock come to you. Furthermore, allow them to have multiple ways of escaping if they become scared.
Conclusion
Peacocks are rising in popularity and there are more and more hobby farms that house these unique animals. While they can be quite loyal, they are still wild animals and proper space and care are needed for them.
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