This Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peafowl pair is, first, a hybrid cross between the India Blue species and the rare Java Green species. Spalding is the name of the first person to make this cross — Mrs. Keith Spalding of California. Purple is a sex link recessive mutation of the wild type blue color of the India Blue. Black Shoulder is the pattern whereby the peacock’s wings are a solid black velvet color instead of having the wild type wing barring.

This Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peafowl pair consists of one mature male, or peacock, and one mature female, or peahen. The purple mutation results in deep blue feathers that appear purplish in the bright sun. Both male and female have white facial skin with a patch of yellow. The peachicks are dark gray-brown.

Only the peacock has a dark train with green and purple eyes. Both iridescence and feather color fade until the bird may be nearly cream in color by the next molt. The peahens don’t fade as much as the males.

Housing Peafowl

Spalding peafowl are adaptable to a variety of environments. Nevertheless, their aviary needs these minimal basics:

• 10 x 20 feet per pair
• 7 feet tall
• Fully enclosed
• Plenty of shrubbery
• Shady spots
• 2 x 4 foot roosts, at least 4 feet up
• Nesting material on the ground

Feeding Peafowl

During breeding season, feed Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peafowl pair a gamebird layer ration. At other times, feed them a gamebird maintenance ration. Where gamebird formulas are not available, turkey rations are quite similar.

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

Peafowl Behavior

Spalding peafowl are calm and gentle, alert, independent, intelligent, and inquisitive. They are also more social than Indian peafowl, often bonding with their caretaker.

They start the day actively foraging for insects and whatever other tasty treats they can find on the ground. During midday they preen and rest. As evening approaches they forage some more, then fly up to the roost for the night.

During breeding season, the peacock will attract the peahen’s attention by fanning out his amazing tail. At the same time, he shakes the tail feathers to make them rustle.

Peafowl Size

Although Spaldings are a bit bigger than India blues, they are also somewhat thinner and have longer necks and longer legs. They therefore appear taller and more elegant.

Breeding Peafowl

An Spalding peafowl pair reaches sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years of age. The peahen will lay 4 to 6 light brown eggs before incubating them for 28 to 30 days. Spalding eggs are a bit larger than India Blue eggs, and the peachicks hatch out larger and a darker yellow in color.

However, Spaldings do not breed true. When you mate a Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peacock to a Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peahen, their offspring will differ from both parents. Their color with depend on their percentage of the Blue species versus the Green species, with no two peachicks looking exactly alike.

Peafowl Health

Spaldings, as hybrids, are hardier than most purebred peafowl. However, if they free range they will likely need deworming. Control internal parasites by deworming every three months. The most common dewormer for peafowl is Piperazine, although Ivermectin or Fenbendazole are also used. A Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peafowl pair will live for 20 years or more when well cared for.

Peafowl Permits

The required permit for exotic birds such as peafowl varies from state to state, county, and even city. Local ordinances may limit how many birds you are allowed to keep, how you house them, required setback distances, and noise considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Spalding peafowl noisy?

Hybrid Spalding peafowl can be noisey, by they are much quieter than Indian peafowl.

Are Spalding Purple Black Shoulder peafowl rare?

Yes, they are quite rare. Hybridizing presents its own challenges, and the sex linked purple mutation only adds more challenges.

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.

What does the word Spalding refer to?

The word Spalding refers to birds that have at least some Java Green peafowl blood somewhere in their ancestry. They are named after Mrs. Keith Spalding of California, who first crossed India Blues with Java Green peafowl.

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®.