IMPORTANT ORDERING INFORMATION: Peafowl are shipped on Wednesdays, USPS Priority Mail Express, and will typically arrive in 1-2 days at your local post office. Peafowl are not available for pickup. Adult male tails may be cut or taped for shipping. Male peafowl with full tails may arrive with tails clipped or taped to facilitate shipping. Wings can be clipped upon request. When placing your order, please let Meyer Hatchery know if you want the wings clipped. Juvenile and adult peafowl ship for free.
The Black Shoulder Peafowl is a color mutation of the India Blue Peafowl, Pavo cristatus. Black Shoulder males look similar to the India Blue males but have a darker black patch on the shoulder area of their wing feathering. The Black Shoulder females, however, look quite a bit different than the female India Blue. Black Shoulder peahens are almost all white with some black flecks showing randomly on the body and with black on the primary tail feathering.
Black Shoulder peafowl will consume a diet consisting of seeds, grains, plants, insects, berries, and small reptiles, but also need a steady supply of standard game bird feed and a clean, fresh water source.
Black Shoulder peafowl prefer to free-range, but can be kept in an aviary setting if given enough square footage. Tree cover should also be considered as peafowl may prefer to roost in the trees at night to protect themselves from predators. They will also need a weathertight shelter in the colder winter months.
Black Shoulder peafowl have a lifespan of 10-15 years in captivity if well cared for. Females tend to brood in the spring and summer months. The average clutch size is 4-8 eggs. Peachicks hatch in 28-30 days. Adult Black Shoulder peafowl weigh an average of 9-10 pounds for males and 6-7 pounds for females. Wingspan averages are 50-60 inches for males and 30-50 inches for females.