PEAFOWL These large members of the pheasant family (phasianidae) have been revered for centuries. References were made to them in Greek Mythology when Argus the 100-eyed giant was supposed to have become a peacock after his death. His 100 eyes becoming the ocelli (eyelike spots) in the peacocks tail. Most sources I found give only two species of native peacock, the India Blue (Parvo cristatus) from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Ceylon, and the Green (Parvo muticus) originating in Java. I also found reference to a Parvo spicifer from Burma and Parvo imperator from Indo China, both a Green subspecies. There is also Afroparvo congensis the only Peafowl native to Africa; however, I could find no other information about it. Today, both the Blue and Green Peafowl are being bred in The United States, as well as a cross between the two, called a Spaulding. The major difference between the Blue and Green Peafowl is that the Green is not as hardy, and need protection from the cold of winter. The Green Peafowl is more nervous and aggressive, has a larger more streamlined body, and an upright crest, where as the Blue Peafowl has a fan shaped one. There are many color mutations of the Blue India Peafowl that are being bred in captivity, White, Black-Shoulder, Purple, Oaten, Pied and Cameo are some of them. The physical characteristics of a Peafowl include, a crest, ornate tail with ocelli, moderately strong legs with feet that have three strong toes facing forward and one backward. Their ratio of wing surface to body weight leaves them able to fly short distances but not long ones. The males have a shrill call they use mainly in the breeding season and resembles a person calling, “Help”. The first time you hear it can be quite surprising, especially if the Peacock is close to you. Peafowl are ground nesters; their eggs take 28 days to hatch. A peachick is not fully grown until it is eight to ten months old, and not fully mature until it is two to four years old. A female (hen) may start laying at two years of age and should lay two clutches a year with 6 to 8 eggs by the time she is four. Unless confined to a pen, the hen will hide herself under a bush, on the ground to nest. The Peacock will start to develop his adult plumage and long tail when he’s two and by the time he’s three or four he should have a full tail with ocelli. During the breeding season he may spend much of his time fanning his tail, and strutting for his gals, which is commonly called displaying. The breeding season will start in the spring and last through July or August when he molts and loses his tail. At that time he becomes infertile. Breeding pens should have four to five hens to one Peacock, for good fertility. The diet of peafowl is omnivorous, consisting of worms, insects, seeds and snakes. Since the physiology is similar to turkeys a turkey ration makes excellent feed. Until they are 4 months old a starter feed of 28% protein is used, then a grower of 14% protein is used until they are a year old. Grit, oyster shell and fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Adults need an increase in protein when insect season is over. I used dried cat food, which worked out very well. If kept in covered pens, peafowl need plenty of room and at least a 7” tall pen, because they can fly and like to roost up high. If let out they tend to stick around as long as food and water is provided, however, if you have just purchased peafowl they need time to adjust before letting them out. If not given that time they may disappear. When given free range, they love to roost in the pine trees at night, and unless you know exactly where to look they blend in very well. You should give some thought before letting them free range. I found that although they are beautiful and majestic, they become messy, especially if they decide to take up sitting on your porch or roosting on your roof. They also are attracted to shiny car and truck roofs and can damage the paint. They are fairly healthy birds, however, they need to be wormed regularly. Blackhead can also be a problem if kept with chickens For someone who hasn’t raised Peafowl before, it can seem very intimidating, but it really isn’t very complicated. Good Shelter, Food, clean water and sanitation is all you need to raise some of the most beautiful birds there are.   Written by PJR Chicken Chronicles