Shady Hollow
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GAMEBIRDS
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| Spalding Peafowl |
Name: Named by the late Mrs. Spalding who first
crossed these two species.
crossed these two species.
Origin: Spaldings are the hybrid cross of Green
Peafowl and India Peafowl. With more than 75%
Green blood, they are known as Emerald Spalding.
Many birds sold as Green in the U.S. are actually
Emerald Spaldings that have Green characteristics.
Peafowl and India Peafowl. With more than 75%
Green blood, they are known as Emerald Spalding.
Many birds sold as Green in the U.S. are actually
Emerald Spaldings that have Green characteristics.
Uses: Spalding Peafowl are a bird that was from
both parental species to accent coloration for
maximum ornamental appeal. Plumage is used for
crafts and decoration.
both parental species to accent coloration for
maximum ornamental appeal. Plumage is used for
crafts and decoration.
Varieties: There are many varieties of Spalding Peafowl. This is attributed to the India Peafowl's many
Cameo, Opal, Bronze, Midnight, Buff Spalding and more. When Spaldings are crossed back to Greens,
any birds resulting in 75%+ Green blood are known as Emerald Spaldings. These look very similar to
their Green parents and are often times sold as such to the unknowing buyer.
Cameo, Opal, Bronze, Midnight, Buff Spalding and more. When Spaldings are crossed back to Greens,
any birds resulting in 75%+ Green blood are known as Emerald Spaldings. These look very similar to
their Green parents and are often times sold as such to the unknowing buyer.
feathers on the top of the head are the crest. Spaldings have a tighter and taller crest than the India
peafowl but more spread than the Greens. The skin around the eyes and ears 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
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. The rear claws on the legs of peafowl are called spurs.
peafowl but more spread than the Greens. The skin around the eyes and ears 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
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. The rear claws on the legs of peafowl are called spurs.
Behavior: Spalding Peafowl are more flighty than the India Peafowl but not as skittish as the Greens.
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. Spaldings have a
scream that resembles the Greens'. They will fan and strut for the hens during the same spring/summer
period that they scream. Mating is very rarely observed.
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. Spaldings have a
scream that resembles the Greens'. 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. When introducing new birds of any type it is wise to be watchful. Peafowl can be
defensive if they feel threatened by an intruder. 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, 6-7 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 wing feathers.
chase one another. When introducing new birds of any type it is wise to be watchful. Peafowl can be
defensive if they feel threatened by an intruder. 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, 6-7 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 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. Spalding Peafowl can tolerate colder temperatures better than their Green
cousins but are still not quite as hardy as the India Peafowl and so should have cold protection. 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. Spalding Peafowl can tolerate colder temperatures better than their Green
cousins but are still not quite as hardy as the India Peafowl and so should have cold protection. 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