This Spalding peafowl pair are hybrids resulting from a cross between two species — India blue (Pavo cristatus) and the rare Java green (Pavo muticus) peafowl of Southeast Asia. The result is a combination of the India blue’s hardiness with the green’s gracefulness and gentle nature.

This Spalding peafowl pair consists of one mature male, or peacock, and one mature female, or peahen. The Spalding peacock has a green neck, brown-black wings, iridescent blue and green tail feathers, and a patch of white feathers on the sides. Only the peacock has a train, which consists of long tail coverts displayed during courting.

The Spalding peahen also has some green feathers in the neck, with a gray-brown body and tail. The peachicks are dark yellow.

Housing Peafowl

Spalding peafowl are adaptable to a variety of environments. However, their aviary should have these minimal provisions:

• 10 x 20 feet per pair
• 7 feet tall
• Fully enclosed
• Plenty of shrubs
• Shady areas
• 2 x 4 foot roosts, 4+ feet above ground
• Nesting material on the ground

Feeding Peafowl

Feed your Spalding peafowl pair a gamebird gamebird layer ration during breeding season. Otherwise, feed them a gamebird maintenance ration. If gamebird rations are not available locally, turkey rations are quire similar.

Provide water on the ground. Do not hang the waterer, as for chickens, or flying birds may tangle in the hanger. Furnish an oyster shell supplement for strong egg shells. Occasional treats may include mealworms, boiled eggs, sunflower seeds, whole grains, peas, and leafy greens.

Peafowl Behavior

Spalding peafowl are alert, independent, intelligent, inquisitive, and gentle. They also tend to be more social than India blues and often bond with their human caretakers.

In the morning they actively forage for insects and whatever other tasty treats they can find. During midday they preen and rest. In the cool of evening they go back to foraging before roosting for the night.

During breeding season, the peacock will perform elaborate courtship displays. He’ll attract the peahens attention by fanning out his amazing tail and shaking the tail feathers to make a rustling sound.

Peafowl Size

Spaldings are a bit bigger than India blues, but are thinner with longer necks and longer legs. These characteristics make them appear taller, giving them a more elegant and graceful appearance.

Breeding Peafowl

An Spalding peafowl pair reaches sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. The peahen will lay 4 to 6 lightbrown eggs before incubating them for 28 to 30 days. The peachicks hatch out larger and with darker yellow down than Indian chicks.

However, Spaldings do not breed true. When you mate a Spalding peacock to a Spalding peahen, their offspring will be different from both parents. The chick’s appearance with depend on their exact lineage, and no two are alike.

Peafowl Health

As hybrids, Spalding peafowl are especially hardy. However, if they free range they may need deworming. To control internal parasites, deworm every three months. The most common dewormer for peafowl is Piperazine, although Ivermectin or Fenbendazole are also used. A Spalding peafowl pair will live for 20 years or more when well cared for.

Peafowl Permits

The required permit for exotic birds varies from state to state, county, and even city. Local ordinances often limit how many birds may be kept on residential properties, type of enclosure, setback distances, and noise abatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Spalding peafowl noisy?

Spalding peafowl are much less noisy than Indian peafowl.

Are Spalding peafowl rare?

As hybrids, they are not nearly as common as purebred peafowl, especially India Blues.

What does the word Spalding mean?

The word Spalding means the birds have Java Green peafowl blood somewhere in their ancestry. Percentages vary, depending on exact lineage. These birds are named after Mrs. Keith Spalding of California, who first crossed India Blues with Green peafowl.

How many different kinds of Spalding peafowl are there?

Java Green peafowl will cross with any color or pattern variety of India Blue peafowl, yielding more than 100 different Spalding varieties including Spalding Purple Black Shoulder.

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®.