Peacock chick prices range from $5 to $25 each, depending on the bird's age, color variety, and the breeder's location

A day-old peacock chick (called a peachick) typically costs $5 to $15 from a hatchery or breeder. Older chicks—those a few weeks old and already eating solid food—run $15 to $25 because they have a better survival rate and require less specialized care. Rare color mutations, like white or spalding peacocks, cost more: $20 to $50 or higher per chick. Prices also shift based on supply in your region and whether you're buying from a large hatchery or a small backyard breeder.

The lowest prices usually come from large hatcheries that ship chicks by mail, though shipping adds $15 to $30 to your order. Local breeders may charge slightly more but save you shipping costs and let you inspect the chick before you buy. Buying in bulk—say, five or ten chicks at once—sometimes brings the per-bird price down by a dollar or two.

Key Takeaways

  • Day-old peachicks cost $5 to $15 each; older chicks that can eat solid food cost $15 to $25.
  • Rare color varieties like white or spalding peacocks cost $20 to $50 or more per chick.
  • Mail-order hatcheries have the lowest per-chick prices but add $15 to $30 for shipping.
  • Local breeders cost slightly more but let you pick up the chick yourself and see its condition first.
  • Buying multiple chicks at once sometimes reduces the price per bird by $1 to $2.

Where to buy peacock chicks

Large hatcheries like Cackle Hatchery, Meyer Hatchery, and Ideal Poultry sell peachicks by mail year-round, with prices starting around $5 to $10 per chick. These operations have consistent inventory and ship to most states, though you'll need to check their shipping policies—some require a minimum order of five or ten chicks. You order online, pay upfront, and the chicks arrive in a padded box within a few days of hatching.

Local breeders and small farms are often easier to find than you'd expect. Search "peacock breeder near me" or check Facebook groups for poultry keepers in your state. Local breeders typically charge $10 to $20 per chick and let you pick up in person, which means no shipping stress on the bird. You can also ask the breeder questions about the chick's parents and see the conditions where it was raised.

Backyard poultry swap meets and county fairs sometimes have peachicks for sale, especially in spring and early summer. Prices at these events are often negotiable, and you can inspect the chick on the spot. Call your county extension office or local 4-H chapter to find out when and where swaps happen in your area.

What affects the price you'll pay

The bird's age is the biggest price driver. A day-old chick is cheaper because it needs heat lamps, special brooder care, and careful feeding for the first few weeks—many don't survive that stage. A chick that's three to six weeks old has already passed the riskiest period and can eat regular chick starter feed, so breeders charge more. By the time a peacock is old enough to move outside (around 8 to 12 weeks), the price jumps to $30 to $100 or more because the breeder has invested months of care.

Color variety matters too. The standard Indian blue peacock is the cheapest. White peacocks, spalding (a mix of Indian blue and green), and other mutations cost more because they're less common and take longer to breed selectively. Some breeders charge $30 to $50 for a white peachick alone.

Geography and season affect price as well. Peachicks are most available in spring and early summer, when demand is highest and prices are most stable. In fall and winter, fewer breeders are hatching, so prices may rise or chicks may be unavailable. Rural areas with more poultry farms sometimes have lower prices than urban regions where peacocks are a novelty.

Shipping costs and what to expect

If you order from a hatchery, shipping usually costs $15 to $30 depending on how far the chicks travel and how many you order. Hatcheries pack peachicks in a cardboard box with bedding and a heat pack, and they arrive within 24 to 48 hours of hatching. The chicks are stressed from the journey, so you'll need a heat lamp, a brooder box, and chick starter feed ready before they arrive.

Some hatcheries offer a live-arrival may provide: if a chick dies within 48 hours of arrival, they'll replace it or refund you. Read the fine print—some require you to report dead chicks within a specific window and may ask for photos. Keep the shipping box and packing materials for a few days in case you need to document a loss.

Hidden costs beyond the chick's price

The chick itself is only the first expense. You'll need a brooder setup—a heat lamp, a thermometer, a small enclosure, and bedding—which runs $30 to $80 if you're building from scratch. Chick starter feed (medicated or non-medicated) costs $10 to $20 for a 25-pound bag, which lasts several weeks for a small number of chicks.

As the peachick grows, it will need more space and eventually an outdoor pen or coop. A basic outdoor shelter for a few peacocks costs $200 to $500 to build or buy. Peacocks also eat more than chickens—expect to spend $15 to $30 per month on feed for an adult bird. Veterinary care is harder to find for peacocks than for chickens, and an avian vet visit can cost $50 to $150.

Buying chicks versus buying adult birds

Peachicks are cheaper upfront but require more skill and equipment to raise. If you're new to poultry, you might lose a few chicks to brooding mistakes, overheating, or disease. Adult peacocks (one to two years old) cost $50 to $200 or more, but they're past the fragile stage and can go straight into an outdoor pen. Some breeders sell "started" peacocks—birds that are a few months old and already eating solid food—for $25 to $50, which is a middle ground.

If you want to breed peacocks yourself, buying young chicks is the only way to get birds you've raised from the start. If you just want to keep peacocks as ornamental birds or for eggs, buying older birds saves you the brooding equipment and the risk of losing chicks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy just one peachick, or do I have to buy multiple?

Hatcheries usually require a minimum order of five to ten chicks because they need to stay warm together during shipping. Local breeders often sell single chicks. Peacocks are social birds, so raising just one chick is harder—it will be lonely and may become aggressive as an adult. Plan to raise at least two or three together.

What's the difference between a peachick and a peacock?

A peachick is a young peacock (the male) or peahen (the female) before it reaches maturity. Peachicks are sold at a few days to a few weeks old. A peacock is a fully grown male, usually at least one year old, with the long tail feathers and bright colors. Females (peahens) are smaller and duller and cost less.

Do I need a permit to own peacocks?

Permit rules vary by state and county. Some areas allow peacocks without a permit; others require you to register them or limit how many you can keep. Check with your local animal control office or county extension before you buy. Some cities ban peacocks entirely or allow them only in rural zones.

What's the cheapest way to get your free guide with peacocks?

Buying five to ten day-old peachicks from a large hatchery and splitting the shipping cost with another breeder is usually the cheapest route. You'll spend $50 to $100 total on chicks plus shipping. The next cheapest option is finding a local breeder and buying older chicks (four to six weeks old) to avoid shipping and brooding equipment costs.

How long do peacocks live?

Peacocks live 15 to 20 years in captivity if well cared for. Some live into their mid-20s. That's a long commitment, so make sure you're ready to house and feed a bird for two decades before you buy a chick.