Shady Hollow
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| India Peafowl |
Name: "India Blue, Common Peafowl, Peacock" are
alias terms used for this species. The name refers
to its native origins.
alias terms used for this species. The name refers
to its native origins.
Origin: All peafowl originate from southern Asia.
The wild range of India Peafowl spans throughout
India and Sri Lanka. Peafowl live in this hilly and
thickly-forested area and stay in a home range for life.
The peacock is the national bird of India.
The wild range of India Peafowl spans throughout
India and Sri Lanka. Peafowl live in this hilly and
thickly-forested area and stay in a home range for life.
The peacock is the national bird of India.
Uses: Peafowl generally do not have a commercial
use. They are an ornamental pheasant that has a
tendency to be more tame than their smaller
cousins. Because of this they will usually stick
around a farm or homestead on range. Feathers
are often used in crafts and decor.
use. They are an ornamental pheasant that has a
tendency to be more tame than their smaller
cousins. Because of this they will usually stick
around a farm or homestead on range. Feathers
are often used in crafts and decor.
Varieties: India Peafowl come in a wide array of color and pattern mutations. These include Blue, White,
Cameo, Black-shoulder, Silver Pied, Pied, White-eyed, Purple, Peach, Oaten and more.
Cameo, Black-shoulder, Silver Pied, Pied, White-eyed, Purple, Peach, Oaten and more.
Terms: Hatchlings are known as peachicks, males are peacocks and females are peahens. Often
times the species are called peacocks but this term only refers to the males (in the same fashion that
Guinea Fowl are referred to as Guinea Hens). The feathers on the top of the head are the crest. The
white skin around the eyes is the orbital skin. The long feathers that extent from the peacocks' rear are
known as his train. They are not actually the tail. The tail is a group of huge stuff feathers underneath the
train. The train is comprised of very long feathers that extend from the back and rump of the peacock and
flow down over the true tail. When the train is spread and the peacock is strutting it is known as a fan.
times the species are called peacocks but this term only refers to the males (in the same fashion that
Guinea Fowl are referred to as Guinea Hens). The feathers on the top of the head are the crest. The
white skin around the eyes is the orbital skin. The long feathers that extent from the peacocks' rear are
known as his train. They are not actually the tail. The tail is a group of huge stuff feathers underneath the
train. The train is comprised of very long feathers that extend from the back and rump of the peacock and
flow down over the true tail. When the train is spread and the peacock is strutting it is known as a fan.
Behavior: Peafowl are a timid species and are usually very skittish. They can become fairly tame when
hand-raised but in normal yard environments they do not tolerate close human presence. Peacocks and
peahens will click/grunt when agitated or frightened. When they are startled they let out an alarm honk that
sounds like a goose. Peacocks scream during breeding season. Their normal honking turns into an
elaborate 'heyyy-y'alll' scream when the weather warms-up in the spring. They will fan and strut for the
hens during the same spring/summer period that they scream. Mating is very rarely observed.
hand-raised but in normal yard environments they do not tolerate close human presence. Peacocks and
peahens will click/grunt when agitated or frightened. When they are startled they let out an alarm honk that
sounds like a goose. Peacocks scream during breeding season. Their normal honking turns into an
elaborate 'heyyy-y'alll' scream when the weather warms-up in the spring. They will fan and strut for the
hens during the same spring/summer period that they scream. Mating is very rarely observed.
Breeding: Peacocks are not an aggressive bird by any means. Only when they're too confined will males
chase one another. Hens are the ones that are more likely to become aggressive toward each other.
With enough space they will usually thrive and fighting/picking is not an issue. Each peacock, like other
pheasants, should have multiple hens. In the case of this large bird, 6-8 hens is the ideal number per
peacock. Hens usually lay from May-June in a platform nest. Incubation last 28 days and peachicks hatch
with fully-formed primary and secondary wing feathers.
chase one another. Hens are the ones that are more likely to become aggressive toward each other.
With enough space they will usually thrive and fighting/picking is not an issue. Each peacock, like other
pheasants, should have multiple hens. In the case of this large bird, 6-8 hens is the ideal number per
peacock. Hens usually lay from May-June in a platform nest. Incubation last 28 days and peachicks hatch
with fully-formed primary and secondary wing feathers.
Keeping: Because of their huge size, peacocks do require a lot of room. Males can have a span of 7'+
with their fan reaching upwards of six feet tall when displaying. Ideally, enclosures will have 100 sq ft per
peacock and 50 sq ft per peahen. They prefer to roost, however, they deposit large amounts of muddy
manure below their roost. If roosts are supplied, think ahead about ways to keep the bedding below them
clean. Nests are best made as a shelf in the corner of the coop with edges around it to keep eggs secure.
Peacocks reach sexual maturity at 3 years old (weighing around 14lbs) and hens at 2 years old (10lbs).
with their fan reaching upwards of six feet tall when displaying. Ideally, enclosures will have 100 sq ft per
peacock and 50 sq ft per peahen. They prefer to roost, however, they deposit large amounts of muddy
manure below their roost. If roosts are supplied, think ahead about ways to keep the bedding below them
clean. Nests are best made as a shelf in the corner of the coop with edges around it to keep eggs secure.
Peacocks reach sexual maturity at 3 years old (weighing around 14lbs) and hens at 2 years old (10lbs).
Recommended Reading: N/A
