Artificial breeding of peacocks holds significant development potential, offers substantial economic returns, and presents a promising market outlook. The following are the current techniques used in peacock breeding:
I. Breeding and Rearing of Peacocks
1. Habitat and Enclosure
Peacocks are sensitive to noise and sudden disturbances, so they require a quiet and clean environment. Any loud or high-frequency sounds can cause stress, leading to panic, screaming, and even reduced egg production and fertilization rates. Therefore, peacock farms should be located in dry and peaceful areas. Barns should be well-lit, dry, and provide ample space for movement. Each bird should have approximately 8 square meters of space, with one-third shaded and two-thirds open for exercise. A 2.5-meter-high netting should cover the top of the enclosure, while iron fences or dense bamboo strips should surround the area. It is recommended to use a fine mesh below 1 meter from the ground to prevent escape. Perches made of iron or bamboo should be placed about 1.3 meters above the ground for perching. To maintain dryness and allow sand bathing, a 3-5 cm layer of grit should be laid on the floor. Fruit trees can also be planted outside the enclosure for additional shade.
2. Breeding and Management
Peacocks are large birds with strong metabolism and vibrant plumage. Males have long tail feathers (up to 1.1 meters) and broad wing feathers (up to 35 cm long and 6 cm wide), requiring proper care during breeding. They are omnivorous, consuming insects, grains, eggs, and plant matter. During the laying season, their diet should include eggs, chicken, sorghum, peas, green beans, and bamboo beans, along with small amounts of animal feed like mealworms and cooked duck eggs. Clean water, health sand, and daily portions of chopped greens such as leeks and elephant grass should also be provided. Adult males weigh between 4.5 to 5.5 kg, while females range from 4 to 4.5 kg. Their daily food intake averages around 250 grams, with crude protein content between 18% and 20%, and energy levels of 2800 to 3000 kcal per kilogram of feed. While generally calm, some males may display aggressive behavior, so special attention is needed to avoid injuries. Annual deworming and vaccination against Newcastle disease are essential for maintaining health.
3. Mating and Reproduction
Peacocks typically begin laying eggs at 22 to 24 months of age. Egg production occurs from March to August, often coinciding with lunar events. A single pair can lay 28 to 35 eggs annually. For optimal fertilization, a male-to-female ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 is recommended. Keeping more than one male in a pen can lead to fighting, which reduces fertility. Peacocks have a lifespan of 5 to 6 years, but egg fertility declines over time. Mating usually occurs between 8-9 AM and 4-5 PM, when males display their feathers and females respond with courtship calls. The environment must remain quiet to avoid disturbing the process. Eggs are typically laid in shaded corners of the barn, sometimes using old tires or straw as nests. Egg collection should occur several times before 10 PM to reduce contamination.
4. Incubation
Peacocks have weak nesting instincts, so artificial incubation is often necessary. If the number of eggs is small, hens can be used to hatch them, with each hen capable of brooding 3 to 4 eggs. Manual turning twice daily is required, and the incubation period lasts about 27 days. When using an incubator, eggs should be sterilized within 5 days of being laid, kept at 37.5°C with 65-70% humidity. In the early stages, eggs should be turned hourly to ensure even heat distribution and embryo development. On day 25, eggs are moved to a hatcher with 37°C and 75% humidity. For hatchlings that struggle to emerge, careful assistance is needed to break the shell gently. After hatching, chicks should remain in the machine until their feathers dry slightly before being removed.
5. Brooding Chicks
Newly hatched chicks are placed in the incubator for the first 1–3 days, with temperatures maintained at 30–31°C. By week one, the temperature is lowered to 28°C. Water with 0.4% potassium permanganate is given first, followed by chick feed and mealworms. Mealworms are highly preferred by young peacocks. At 1–2 weeks, chicks are placed in multi-tiered cages (100x70x40 cm), with 10 chicks per square meter. From 3–4 weeks, the density decreases to 6–8 per square meter, and by 5–8 weeks, it’s 5–8 per square meter. At 8 weeks, they are transferred to rearing bars, with 10 per bar. Sterilized sacks should be placed at the bottom of the cages, and clean water and multivitamin supplements should always be available. Green feed is gradually introduced after 8 weeks, and at 5 weeks, chicks receive a vaccination via drinking water.
6. Raising Juvenile Peacocks
At 8 weeks, young peacocks are ready for further growth and development, transitioning into adult finches. Proper nutrition, hygiene, and environmental control are essential for their continued health and productivity.
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Vitamins are tiny molecules needed to keep the body functioning properly (vitamin B12 is the largest vitamin molecule, with a molecular weight of 1,355). In the article How sunburns and tans are formed, we learned that the body can make its own vitamin D, but usually the vitamin must be supplied through food.
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