FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Peafowl

Question:  What is the difference between black shoulder and blue peafowl?

Answer: 

                   Blue Hen          Black Shoulder Hen

                   Blue Male          Black Shoulder Male

Question:  What do peafowl eat?

Answer:  Breeders eat a combination of Pheasant breeder pellets with 19% protein, small bite size dry dog food with 21% protein, and shelled corn (corn in the winter months only).  Treats are lettuce, tomatoes, grapes, raisins, and bread.  Adolescents (4 months to 1 1/2 yrs) eat a combination of chicken grower pellets with 18% protein, small bite size dry dog food with 21% protein, and shelled corn (corn in the winter months only).  Chicks (1 day to 4 months) eat medicated chicken starter crumbles with 20% protein.

Question:  How long to peafowl live?

Answer:  50+ years!!

Question:  How many days does it take for peafowl eggs to hatch?

Answer:  27 to 30

Question:  At what age does a peacock get his first long tail train?

Answer:  3 years

Question:  What is the breeding season for peafowl?

Answer:  April to August

Question:  Does the male lose his tail every year?

Answer:  Yes, the male will molt the entire tail in late July or early August.

Question:  How often do peafowl need worming?

Answer:  Every 3 to 4 months.  Especially, 1 to 2 months prior to the start of the breeding season and immediately following the end of the breeding season.  See the Medications article in Peafowl Articles for further details.

Question:  What is the recommended temperature for incubation?

Answer:  99.5 degrees F.  See the Incubation article in Peafowl Articles for further details on Incubation.

Question:  What is the recommended humidity for incubation?

Answer:  60% relative humidity or 86-87 degrees F wet bulb temperature.  See the Incubation article in Peafowl Articles for further details on Incubation.

© 2005, Hopkins' Alternative Livestock

Web site designed and maintained by Lisa Hopkins