Peacocks certainly aren’t a traditional household pet, but owning one might be more common than you realize. But if you’ve ever considered purchasing one of these beautiful birds for your home, there are a few essential things to know before buying a pet peacock.
In this post, we’ll share more information about peacocks and how they are as pets. We’ll also offer tips on how to take care of your pet peacock and places where you can purchase these exotic pets.
Background information about peacocks
Although most people refer to these animals as peacocks, the proper name for the animals is actually peafowl. Females are referred to as peahen, while males are known as peacocks. Collective groups of peafowl can be called a muster, a pride, or a party (among other things).
Where to house your pet peacock
Before even considering buying a pet peacock, you need to ensure that you have enough space for them to roam around. Peafowl need a good deal of space to explore; otherwise, they could become stressed by their narrow surroundings.
Broadly speaking, bigger is better when it comes to peacock enclosures. But at minimum, your pet needs to be able to fully extend its train and make turns as it walks around the pen.
Experts advise not to adopt a pet peacock if you live in an urban or suburban area. Instead, rural zones are best suited to house peafowl. Most owners build a large aviary for their pets to roam, with an enclosed space to protect them from predators and harsh weather.
Also, peafowl are known for their loud screeching sounds — especially during the spring mating season. It’s another reason why peacocks should ideally live in a rural setting, so your pet doesn’t annoy your neighbors.
What to feed a pet peacock
Outside of an appropriate enclosure, you also need to make sure that you can provide your peafowl with the right diet. Peacocks are omnivores and (fortunately) aren’t overly picky with what they eat.
Typically, pet peafowl will consume a diet of insects, vegetables, grains, and seeds. In order to help your peacock maintain its gorgeous plumage, they also need to consume a good deal of protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. And as with any other pet, your pet should always have a fresh bowl of water available to drink from.
Where to purchase a pet peacock
As you might anticipate, you can’t simply walk up to your local pet store and purchase a pet peacock. Instead, since peacocks are exotic pets, you’ll need to contact a local breeder in your area to acquire one. Breeders can also offer more information about how peafowl fare in your area and provide tips for keeping them happy and healthy.
As you have gathered, owning a pet peacock is a serious commitment. To be fair to your pet (and your neighbors), you should only consider buying one if you can provide appropriate accommodation and food to keep your peafowl comfortable.
For more pet ownership tips and resources, check out the PetPonder blog.
