only one brood per year. The hen may not utilize a prepared straw nest and eggs are often scattered around the pen so that only a few may actually be prop­ erly incubated. Chicks hatch in approxi­ mately 28 days, young start developing crests at one month ofage and wifl take on plumage resembling their mother Peafowl in the Aviary when a few months old. Males obtain ., color after their first year and will de­ by Nancy Vigran velop their full trains by three years of with Bernie Teunissen age. and Peter Frank Indian Peafowl do have a distinctive call, used when alarmed and during the courtship ritual. During the breeding season the call can be troublesome to neighbors and should be a considera­ otorious for their freedom to length including the train. tion before purchasing breeding stock. Nroam zoos, bird parks and ar­ In captivity, peafowl are usually kept Peafowl are not welcome, mainly for boretums, Indian Peafowl Pavo cris­ in pairs orone cock to two orthree hens. this reason, in most urban areas, and are tatusare often allowed the same privi­ The larger the pens the better, 12 ft. by60 betterkept in rural environments. leges in villages of their native India ft. is recommended, although they can Peafowl do not require an elaborate and Sri Lanka. Considered sacred in be kept in smaller areas, 24 ft. by 30 ft. diet. Some caretakers simply feed all­ much of their native habitat, they are Peafowls can be kept with other avian purpose poultry pellets. Breeders may protected and roam in small groups of species, but should be introduced at the add turkey-grow pellets or trout chow; one cock with two to five hens and same time and kept in a large enough greens and fruit add a relished variety to their offspring. But in other areas they t1ight to allow for individual territories, their diet. Some breeders have found are hunted for their iridescent, elon­ nesting sites and feeding areas. Some that young left with their mothers have a gated tail plumes as well as for food breeders allow their peafowl to run faster growth rate than those raised in ar­ and there they have developed an freely on their property. Peafowl nor­ tificial brooders, although when fed aversion for civilization. mally won't wander too far from food equivalent diets they seem to manage to Peafowl rarely take a t1ight, but often and water, but can be a nuisance to develop to the samematurity. choose to run ti-om danger. The courting neighbors if they t1y overthe fence. India Peafowl are bred in many mu­ dance ofpeacocks to their hens is com­ The peafowl group should be estab­ tations including the black-shouldered, monly recognized. The cock raises his lished at a fairly young age, prior to sex­ albinos, pieds, cameos and lavenders. upper tail coverts into a quivering fan, ual maturity oftwo to three years ofage Most peafowl mutations are recessive, framing himself. The 14-inch tail other­ and introduced to a pen together. It is but the cameo is the one confirmed sex­ wise trails behind him, much like a difficult to add more birds to the group linked mutation. Strikingly different bride's train. The brown-mottled-col­ later, although offspring are accepted from the original peafowl in coloration, ored hens are rather plain compared to into the group. the cameois a chocolate-milk brown. their sparkling blue and green clad Hens may pick anywhere in the pen Java Peafowl Pavo m. muticus are mates, but both sexes have a delicate, to lay theirfive to seven, cream-colored larger, stouter birds, and are much more erectile crest. Hens are relatively small, eggs. If the eggs are removed for artifi­ rare in captivity. Native toJava, Myan­ 35-40 inches in length, compared to the cial incubation, the hen may lay a sec­ mar (Burma), Thailand and the Malay cocks which measure 78-90 inches in ond clutch, but otherwise she will raise peninsula, they are also shier birds and WATCHBIRD BINDERS C & J's Original ~ Hansome, sturdy binderholds a full year's issues of Sprout Mix & Soak'n' Cook ': .' . The Watchbird (6 issues).Of rich brown leather-like vinyl embossed in gold. $6.95 each • The nutrition of sprouts in 1-1/2Ibs. - $5.50 ." CONTINENTAL U.S.-Add $2.75 ShippinglHan­ 3 minutes a day 3 Ibs. - $9.00 dling for one binder. Add 75¢ for each additional • Economical -1-1/2 Ibs. makes 10 Ibs. - $22.00 binder. FOREIGN - Add $8.00 Shipping/Handling forane a whole gallon Breeder bulk (25 lbs.) - $47.50 binder. Add $2.50 for each additional binder. • Clearly the choice of leading All orders add S&H $3.00 UPS Ground. Please remit in U.S. funds. breeders Dealer inquiries welcomed! Phoneordersacceptedusing I VISA ,_ • 9 premium grains selected for4 ~ American Federation ofAviculture high protein/low fat nutrition \~ ~ PARROT PALS .. P.O. Box56218 • Ideal for all birds -budgies to &J Phoenix,Arizona85079-6218 macaws (602) 936-4048 (602) 484.0931 • fax (602) 484-0109 . P.O. Box 48414 • From weaning to breedmg Phoenix, AZ 85075-8414 afa WATCHBIRD 31 ""0 Co Q. Q) r. if) c c .3' >­ ..0 en o o r. 0- Peahens need to be well camouflaged when nesting. Youngpeafowl show the beginnings oj'the crest found on the adults. not protected and therefore hunted for bronze edging to the feathering and food in muchoftheir region. blue centered feathering on the mantle, Javas, often referred to as Java neck and breast. The train is much like Greens, are a more metallic green with that of the Indian Peacocks, but has a more golden sheen. Although the hen more closely resembles the cock in this species, she is still duller in color and of course lacks the tail train. The calls ofthe Java Peafowl are not as harsh or ear­ piercing as that ofthe Indian. Breeding habits are virtually the same for theJavas as Indian Peafowl and the two have been hybridized in captivity, mo t often to pass along genetic muta­ tions. However, there is a great desire in the avicultural community to keep the line pure andthe two species separate. Through a desire to exchange infor­ mation on peafowl combined with a flare for writing, Marion Smith started The Peacock,!ournalin October 1993. The magazine is reader-friendly with many articles written by fellow inter­ estedreaders. Subject matter includes various, in­ depth, how-to articles on breeding, mu­ tations and genetics, housing require­ Inents, fo tering, artificial incubation and raring ofyoung as well as a few ar­ ticles on other types offowl. With more than 1,000 ubscribers the journal cov­ ers information ofinterest to beginners and experienced breeders and carries a The malepeacock uses his six-foot train or tail classified section onfowl. during courtship. When spread, it appears as a For more information on The Pea­ shimmeringjan with iridescent ((eye" markings. cock,!ournal write: The Peacock,!our­ Peafowl belong to thepheasantfamily with nal, Route 2, Box 435 Alto, GA 30150 or the adult males being brilliantly colored. call (800) 399-1561.• 32 MarchiApril 1995 by ".4 HAGEN® Tropican is the food that meets the needs of your bird through all stages of its life. A scientifically designed blend of seven grains and nuts including; corn, . wheat, oats, soyabean, sunflower, peanut, rice plus additional vitamins, miner~ls and nutrients. Tropican was developed at the HAGEN A ICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HARI) to feed the more than 350 pairs of more than 60 varieties of parrots that are housed there. As indicated by the excellent health and breeding success of the HARI birds after six years of exclusive feeding, Tropican is The Total Diet. Tropican comes in 3 lifecycle formulas: Baby Food (for hand feeding), High Performance (for Breeders), and Life-Time (for maintenance) The inclusion of natural fruit flavours maximizes palatiblity The Life-Time formula contains three natural colours: Green, Orange and Natural No preservatives or artificial sweeteners The best quality control: Each batch is formulated, test fed, analyzed (by two independent labs) and approved by the HAGEN AVICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO 2 packed air barrier bags guarantees no bugs and seals in freshness Extruded granules eliminate powdery waste and wet voluminous droppings caused by pellets Stop feeding your birds artificial candy-like food that makes droppings purple and red! Available from your local Independant Pet Shop and Avian Veterinarian. For Life-Time granules send $10.00 for a 1 kg. (2.25 lb.) bag of Cockatiel, or $20.00 for a 2 kg. (4.4 lb.) of Parrot to: ""~ HAG'EN® Ro If C. Hagen (USA) Corp. ".~ AVICULTURAL P.O. Box 9107, RESEARCH Mansfield, Ma. INSTITUTE 02048 For your FREE ~ ,tE or to order larger quantities call: 1·800·225·2700 or 2701.