This mutation of the India Blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus) involves both color (Opal) and pattern (Black Shoulder). Color refers to the birds’ dominant color, as indicated by the color of the neck feathers. Pattern refers to alterations in, or the arrangement of, the bird’s feather colors. The Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair, therefore, is similar in color to Opal peafowl, but with the Black Shoulder pattern.

This Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair includes one mature male, or peacock, and one mature female, or peahen. The peacock is mainly chocolate brown with a a greenish sheen to its head, neck, and shoulders. But, instead of the Opal’s brown and gray wing barring, his wings are solid gray.

The male sports opal saddle and train feathers that change tint, like the opal gemstone, depending on the light. The train consists of long tail coverts that the peacock fans out during courtship. The train’s eye spots, or ocelli, are a dull black surrounded by a ring of opal and deep copper.

The Opal Black Shoulder peahen is similar to the Black Shoulder hen, but more pale cream and gray in color. Opal Black Shoulder peachicks are pale gray.

Housing Peafowl

Keep a pair of peafowl in a fully-enclosed aviary, both so they can’t fly out and they have protection from predators. Include these features:

• 10 x 20 feet per pair
• 7 feet tall
• Lots of brush cover
• Shady areas for lolling
• 2 x 4 foot roosts, 4+ feet above ground
• Nesting material on the ground

Feeding Peafowl

Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair typically eat either a gamebird maintenance ration or the similar turkey maintenance ration. During breeding season, switch to gamebird layer or turkey layer ration.

Position the waterer on the ground, rather than hanging. Otherwise a flying bird could get tangled. Furnish an oyster shell supplement to ensure strong egg shells. Occasional treats may include mealworms, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens.

Peafowl Behavior

Your Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair will spend most of their morning foraging on the ground. Later in the day they’ll mostly preening and loll around in the shade. In late afternoon they’ll forage some more and then fly up to roost for the night.

During breeding season, the male fans out his train feathers in a semi-circle that can measure 6 or 7 feet wide. If the female seems interested, he’ll shake the train feathers to make them rustle. He is signalling his strength and vitality as the potential father of peachicks.

Breeding Peafowl

An Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair reaches sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. Opal Black Shoulder’s breed true, so the peachicks will grow up to look just like their parents.

The peahen will lay between 3 and 8 light brown eggs before incubating them for 28 to 30 days. Hatching success depends on such things as the peahen’s health and the pair’s environment.

Peafowl Size

Peafowl Health

On the whole, peafowl are hardy, healthy birds. Well-cared for, an Opal Black Shoulder peafowl pair will live for 20 years or even longer.

If they free range, control internal parasites by deworming every three months. Piperazine is common dewormer for peafowl, although Ivermectin or Fenbendazole are also used.

Peafowl Permits

Owning exotic birds may require a permit, depending on regulations that vary by state, county, and city. Ordinances may dictate if and how many peafowl are allowed, the enclosure type, setback distances, and noise abatement measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are peafowl noisy?

Yes. At any time, day or night, mature peacocks may emit a shrill scream, the sound of which travels for a long distance. Peahens, on the other hand, make a variety of pleasant, chatty sounds.

What is the first pattern mutation appearing in peafowl?

Black Shoulder is the first pattern mutation reported in peafowl.

How many separate patterns of peafowl are there?

Five distinct peafowl patterns have been identified: Barred Wing (India Blue), Black Shoulder (aka Solid Wing), Pied, Silver Pied, and White-Eyed (white oscelli).

Can you eat peacock eggs?

No. But you can certainly eat peahen eggs! They are about the same size as a large chicken egg and taste pretty much the same.

What’s the difference between peacocks and peafowl?

Peacocks are male peafowl. Female peafowl are peahens. Baby peafowl are peachicks.

For More Information

Raising Peafowl — 6 Pros and 6 Cons

Raising Peafowl — 6 Tips

Keeping Peafowl, Do’s and Don’ts

Let’s Get Started Raising Peafowl

If you prefer peachicks, assorted peafowl chicks are also available from Cackle Hatchery®.