>If i can source some fertile eggs I'd like to incubate some Peafowl eggs.
I may be able to help you with that soon. Ours haven't started laying yet, but when they do....
>Mine would range during the day, away at night - best housing?
Up a tree! Must you house them? If so, you
may be able to get them into an aviary at night, in which case provide a high 'branch' for them to roost on, and cover that part of the aviary with a simple roof.
> When 'in' their pen (if I'm out for example), best size and fence height etc?
As large as possible, with fences at least 40ft high. Two of ours roost on the roof of our house, which they fly up to no bother at all.
Seriously, why do you want to pen them? Do you have a garden you care about for instance?
>Are they very noisy? Other half says they are.
Yes, they eeeeuuuuaarrrrghh! Check out videos on youtube. However, it's really only the males in the breeding season that make a lot of noise. Our two males roost in trees at opposite ends of the farm and report all night on passing traffic:
A car! A car? A car! Oh, a Car! why didn't you say so?> How are they with other animals, strangers etc etc
They don't like strange dogs. Apart from that, they're pretty well natured IME. They're very curious of anything new (e.g. new lambs), and will always wander over to have a look, whilst making interested 'clicking' noises.
> Anything else I should be aware of?
They're incredibly clever birds. I've known one go AWOL from its new home after 3 weeks, and turn up back at the farm it was born 30 miles away, three days later. I could tell lots of other stories, but basically they're like Mensa turkeys.
They will also eat the heads off new flowers, brussel sprouts etc. Doesn't bother us, but it would drive some people insane.
If you want to know anything else, just ask. Or even if you fancy a chat on the phone, just pm me your number
.
Cheers,
Womble.