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8 Companion Animals for Peacocks

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Peacocks are social animals; they typically get along and interact well with other peacocks. So, understandably, if you keep only one peacock, it might get lonely.

Even if you bond well with your peacock, you cannot always be around to keep it company. Instead, you can get a companion animal for your peacock.

Peacocks On Farm

Knowing that peacocks are territorial, you might think it hard to choose a companion animal for your bird. But things are not so. In this article, we go over eight potential companion animals for peacocks. After reading it, getting a buddy for your peacock should be less complicated.

1. Cats

a cute european cat playng in the backyard

Ordinarily, one would think that keeping peacocks and cats together is a bad idea because of a cat’s natural hunting instincts. You would think that the cat would prey on the peafowl. But then, in a fair number of cases, things do not really happen as such.

Adult peafowls are pretty large; they have an intimidating appearance, so cats will not readily attack them. Besides, if the cat is well-trained, and you introduce both animals to each other correctly, you won’t have to worry too much about conflicts between them.

While cats may not readily attack adult peafowls, things are different with peachicks. If you have a peachick, getting a cat is a bad idea. The feline will most likely attack and kill the peachick.

2. Chickens

chickens in a chicken coop on a farm.

Chickens are perfect companion animals for peacocks. When keeping chickens with your peacocks, you need not worry about clashes. In most cases, both birds get along just fine when housed together.

While there are rarely ever social issues between chickens and peacocks, there’s a health risk. Peacocks are susceptible to a disease called blackhead disease. And chickens are known to carry this disease without showing symptoms. So, there is a fair chance that your chicken may pass on blackhead disease to your peacock.

Sadly, if your peacock gets the disease, there’s a good chance that it will die. Nonetheless, there are many successful cases of people keeping peacocks and chickens together.

If you get a chicken as a companion animal for your peacock, you should pay attention to the peacock’s health. Routine checkups at the vet and deworming can reduce your peafowl’s risk of getting a nasty infection from the chicken.

3. Dogs

Two dogs friends in a pasture in the Italian Alps

As long as a dog is well-trained and nonaggressive, you can get a dog as a companion animal for your peacock. Of course, you will have to introduce both these animals to each other properly for their relationship to thrive.

During their first encounter, the dog and the peacock should be restrained. Then, during the next introduction session, you could let the peacock roam while the dog remains on a leash.

After the peacock has displayed its feathers to the dog, the dog is very unlikely to attack the bird. With its feathers displayed, a peacock can be larger than a dog. That difference in size might be one of the reasons the dog will choose not to attack. At this point, you can let both animals interact freely under your supervision.

While adult peafowls may thrive with dogs, peachicks are at a disadvantage. There’s a fair chance that a dog will attack a peachick.

4. Goats

Herd of goats in the mountains

You can get a goat as your peacock’s companion animal. Both animals do get along when kept together.

However, you must provide all they need to live comfortably for this combination to be successful. In other words, as long as there’s food, sufficient living space, healthcare, security, and shelter, your peacock and goat should thrive together.

Given enough time, peacocks and goats can bond. When they bond, you may even find them playing together. But then, playful interactions between goats and peacocks can get rough. So, ensure you supervise your goat and peafowls as much as possible.

5. Guineafowls

three birds walking in Kruger National park

Guineafowls and peafowls bond readily, so a guineafowl would make a perfect companion for your peafowl.

Besides the ease of bonding, these two birds share some needs. For one, both need similar high-quality feed and dewormer. So, if you keep them together, you won’t have to put in double effort to create separate health and diet plans.

If you intend to get a guineafowl as your peacock’s companion animal, ensure you provide enough space for them. If you house both birds in a confined space, you increase the chances of diseases spreading between them.

The interaction between guineafowls and peafowls can get pretty lively at times. At such times, the guineafowl will taunt the peafowl. Then the peafowl will chase the guineafowl around because it does not like being taunted. You do not have to worry about this because the chase is typically harmless.

The peafowl might chase the guineafowl around for extended periods. But when they get tired, both animals will stop.

6. Horses

Wild horses in a group

You can get a horse to be your peacock’s companion animal since horses are typically friendly with other animals. But then, if you do choose to opt for a horse, the horse’s individual behavior is what matters the most.

In other words, the horse you intend to choose would be the perfect companion if it is docile, friendly, nonaggressive, and nonterritorial. However, if it is territorial, traumatized, easy to startle, or aggressive, it is not the best choice for your peacock.

The bottom line is you can keep a horse as your peacock’s companion if the horse’s temperament is mild and friendly.

7. Sheep

Sheeps on the mountain

As with goats, sheep can be your peacock’s companion animal. As long as you provide the best living conditions for both animals, they should be fine together.

Ordinarily, having sheep around your bird might reduce the chances of parasites and diseases. But providing ample living space for both animals further reduces the risk. Beyond that, having enough living space for sheep and peacocks minimizes the risk of conflicts and accidental trampling.

8. Turkeys

solo photo of a Turkey at the farm

Peacocks and turkeys are a perfect match. As long as you provide enough living space and food, they will get along well.

Besides having a friendly relationship, turkeys and peacocks have a similar diet. So, if you house them together, creating a diet plan for each animal should be straightforward.

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