Purchasing Peafowl in Australia

To purchase peafowl from Waterfowl and Exotics Australia, please browse our website or contact us directly for availability and current pricing.

How are peafowl shipped?

Peafowl are shipped via approved airline cargo or licensed live-animal transport services in specially designed avian crates. Shipping is coordinated to ensure the shortest transit time possible, and birds are collected from a major domestic or international airport.

Pickup is required upon arrival, and customers must closely monitor tracking and collection notifications to ensure birds are collected promptly.

For mature males with full tail feathers, tails may be carefully wrapped or secured to prevent damage during transport.

How do I introduce my peafowl?

Peafowl should be placed directly into a prepared aviary upon arrival. This allows them to acclimatise safely to their new environment.

Will my peafowl fly away?

Yes—if released immediately, peafowl can and often will fly or run away.

To successfully free-range peafowl:

  • Keep them confined in an aviary for at least 3–4 months

  • Use white millet consistently as a training aid

Even with training, peafowl may choose not to return to an aviary once free-ranging, so this should be carefully considered.

Can peafowl live in cold areas of Australia?

Yes. Peafowl are generally hardy across a wide range of climates. The main cold-weather concern is frostbite on toes.

To reduce risk:

  • Provide a wide, flat roost (a 90 × 45 mm timber works well)

  • Ensure roosts are dry and elevated

How do I set up a suitable aviary?

Bigger is always better, but at a minimum:

  • 10 m x 10 m aviary recommended

  • Roost height: approximately 1.2 metres (4 feet)

  • Include bushes or small trees for enrichment and cover

  • Provide shelter from wind, rain, and sun (roofed area with sides is sufficient)

A fully enclosed coop is not required, unlike chickens.

What do peafowl eat?

Peafowl are omnivorous and will eat:

  • Insects

  • Seeds and grains

  • Fruits and berries

They should always be provided with:

  • Quality game bird or breeder feed

  • Clean drinking water

White millet is a favourite treat and an excellent training tool. Peafowl are also known to prey on snakes and are sometimes kept in rural areas for snake deterrence.

What predators should I protect my peafowl from?

For aviaries:

  • Use welded wire or field fencing, not chicken wire

For free-ranging birds, potential predators include:

  • Foxes

  • Feral cats

  • Wild dogs

  • Birds of prey (especially owls)

What are the correct terms for peafowl?

  • Male: Peacock

  • Female: Peahen

  • Young: Peachick

Can I legally own peafowl in Australia?

Peafowl ownership regulations vary by state and local council. Buyers are responsible for confirming compliance with:

  • State wildlife regulations

  • Local council bylaws

  • Zoning or rural property restrictions

Can I keep more than one pair together?

Yes, but best practice is:

  • One male with multiple females

Once males reach breeding age (around 3 years), they may become territorial and aggressive toward other males.

Can peafowl be kept with other birds?

Peafowl may be kept with:

  • Chickens

  • Pheasants

They should never be housed with turkeys, as turkeys can carry blackhead disease, which is fatal to peafowl but does not affect turkeys.

Do peafowl require vaccinations?

No. There are currently no recommended or effective vaccinations for peafowl.

How old are the peafowl sold?

  • Yearlings: 1 to ~3 years

  • Breeding age: 3 years and older