Artificial breeding peacock technical points
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July 08 13:17:53, 2025
Artificial peacock breeding holds significant development potential, offers substantial economic returns, and has a promising market outlook. The following are detailed techniques for successful peacock farming:
I. Breeding and Rearing of Peacocks
1. **Housing and Enclosure**
Peacocks are sensitive to noise and disturbances, so they require a quiet and clean environment. Sudden loud noises or high-frequency sounds can cause stress, leading to panic, reduced egg production, and lower fertility rates. Therefore, the farm should be located in a dry and calm area. Barns must have good lighting, dry housing, and 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 enclosure, and iron mesh or dense bamboo strips should be used for fencing. Near the ground, it’s best to use iron mesh no taller than 1 meter. Perches made of iron or bamboo should be placed at about 1.3 meters above the ground. To maintain dryness and provide sand bathing, a 3-5 cm layer of grit should be laid on the floor. Fruit trees can also be planted outside to offer 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 (35 cm long, 6 cm wide). Proper nutrition is essential. They are omnivorous, eating insects, grains, eggs, and vegetables. During the laying season, their diet should include chicken, sorghum, peas, green beans, and mealworms. Clean water and health sand should always be available, along with small amounts of chopped greenery like leeks and elephant grass. Adult males weigh between 4.5–5.5 kg, while females range from 4–4.5 kg. Daily feed intake is around 250 grams, with crude protein content of 18–20% and energy levels of 2800–3000 kcal per kilogram. Peacocks are generally docile, but some males may be aggressive. Special attention should be given to avoid injuries caused by their claws. Annual deworming before winter and vaccination against Newcastle disease at the start of the year are essential.
3. **Mating and Reproduction**
Peacocks typically start laying eggs at 22–24 months of age. Egg-laying occurs from March to August, with an average of 28–35 eggs per year. For optimal fertilization, the male-to-female ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3. Keeping more than one male in a pen can lead to fighting, which reduces fertilization rates. The lifespan of a peacock is ideally 5–6 years, as egg fertility declines over time. Mating usually happens in the morning (8–9 AM) and late afternoon (4–5 PM), when males display their feathers and females respond with courtship calls. It’s important to keep the environment quiet during this period. Eggs are laid in shady corners of the barns, sometimes in nests made from old tires or straw. Eggs should be checked several times before 10 PM to reduce contamination.
4. **Incubation**
Peacocks have poor natural incubation abilities, so hens or incubators are often used. Peacock eggs are large (100–110 grams), and hens can hatch 3–4 eggs at a time. Manual turning of eggs twice daily is recommended for 27 days. In an incubator, temperature should be maintained at 37.5°C with 65–70% humidity. In the early stages, eggs should be turned every hour to ensure even heat distribution and prevent embryo adhesion. At 25 days, eggs are moved to a hatcher at 37°C and 75% humidity. If hatchlings cannot emerge after 27 days, gentle assistance is needed to help them break free. After hatching, chicks should be kept in the machine until their feathers dry slightly. Constant monitoring of temperature and humidity is crucial.
5. **Brooding Chicks**
Newly hatched chicks are placed in an incubator and kept at 30–31°C for the first 1–3 days, gradually reducing to 28°C by the end of the first week. The first feeding should be 0.4% potassium permanganate water, followed by chicken feed and mealworms. Chicks are very fond of mealworms. After one week, they are moved to multi-tiered cages (100x70x40 cm), with 10 chicks per square meter for the first 2 weeks, then 6–8 per square meter as they grow. Sterilized sacks should be placed at the bottom of the cages, changed regularly to maintain cleanliness. Water and feed should be available at all times, with multivitamin supplements added to drinking water. Green feed is introduced after 8 weeks, and vaccinations are administered at 5 weeks.
6. **Rearing Young Birds**
At 8 weeks, young peacocks are moved to rearing farms, where each shed covers about 30 square meters and houses 10–12 birds. The floor is covered with 3–5 cm of coarse sand for a dry and cool environment. Initially, they are fed chicken feed, gradually transitioning to seeds and legumes. Cooked duck eggs and mealworms are provided daily, along with chopped greenery and health sand. By 6 months, they are ready for slaughter if raised for meat. Their flesh is tender, pale yellow, and rich in muscle. The slaughter rate is about 75%, with an average weight of 15 kg and a meat-to-bone ratio of 1:4. At one and a half years, they mature and are selected for breeding based on health, size, and feather condition. Male-to-female ratios should remain 1:2 or 1:3, and energy feed should be controlled to avoid fat accumulation.
II. Disease Control
Peacocks have strong natural immunity, but regular hygiene and environmental management are still critical. Common diseases include pasteurellosis, internal parasites, and vitamin deficiencies. Pasteurellosis can be prevented with terramycin and treated with streptomycin. Internal parasites such as nematodes and coccidiosis are controlled with levamisole hydrochloride tablets. Vaccination against avian influenza is also recommended. Stress factors, such as loud noises or sudden changes, can cause sudden death. Other issues include blackhead disease, ringworm, and foreign body injuries. Regular monitoring, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment are essential for maintaining flock health.