AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

White Peafowl

History
White Peafowl are believed to have first appeared in the wild but exactly when is not know. Many speculate it was around 1840=50’s not long after the Black Shoulder. White peafowl are recessive and would have first appeared as “Splits” then as nature does the two genes came together and the first “White” appeared. This was soon discovered by the United States and was an instant “must have” with the popularity soon spreading throughout the world. Today the White Indian Blue is extremely popular and would be far more common if not for breeding issues which we will cover below.

Breeding White Peafowl

At Peacocks Australia we have a strict breeding plan called a “one on -one off” this means we breed Split to White then the offspring Whites are bred to White and the Splits are bred to Splits. We breed White to White the offspring are bred to Splits.

Example:

1: Split to White, = 50% White and 50% India Blue split White

2: All White Peachicks from the mating (1) are then bred to White

3: All White Peachicks from mating (2) are bred to splits

Splits:

25% splits are bred to Splits = 25% White; 50% India Blue split White and 25% India Blue. 25% Splits bred to Whites

Why do we do this?
The reason for this is primarily the, “Strong immune system” of the Splits secondary is “size” as continual breeding White to White may see a drop in bone density and therefore overall body size. It very important to understand the immune system is critical in all Animals and of course humans but in white Peachicks they have it a little tougher than Blues and other Mutation, as they are a “Flawed” mutation we will cover this below.

Why not just breed Split to White only?
Using only Splits to White will result in “Shadowing” in the offspring in generation 2 or 3 this is commonly refer to as “dirty white” so to avoid this White to White is important.

White Peachicks
As mentioned above the use of splits is very important when breeding White Peachick long term and the primary reason is the slow development of the Whites immune system and growth rate (accumulative mass body fat) to understand this we will compare them to the non mutation Indian blue
Indian Blue Peachicks immune system develops at a much higher rate than White (Mutation) no extensive study has been carried out to date to give percentages

Indian Blue Peachicks growth rate is up to 25% faster than Whites (Mutation)

Indian Blue Peachicks amass more body fat than White (Mutation) as much as 25% with the right diet

The main focus is on “Immune system” and “mass body fat” these are the two most important factors for the survival of White Peachicks. From age 0 to 25 weeks in the most critical time for any Peachick but for Whites are born with a distinct disadvantage as they are born with a genetic flaw which affects both their immune system and growth rate, their immune system is much slower to develop that Indian blues so more care is needed.

Care for White Peachicks?
The most common email we receive during and immediately after the breeding season is advice on white peachicks most unfortunately write they have already lost them and want to know why. The first 25 weeks for White Peachicks are not easy and around Australia many will be lost in fact we believe it may be as high as 60-70% with the majority lost “suddenly” as it would appear and we are not referring to predators. Peachicks bred early in the breeding season September/October stand a much great chance than those bred late in the season February/March and the reason is very simple “Weather” the change in season impacts on White Peachicks far more that any other Peafowl species or Mutation . This applied to Peachicks artificially raised or Hen raised makes little difference. Sudden changes in outside temperature impact on White Peachicks and breeders need to know and look for the early signs of trouble.

What to look for?
Fluffed/hunched appearance
Repeated single calling
Lethargic movement
Poor appetite

What is the best way to raise them?
At Peacocks Australia we do not allow Peahens to hatch or raise chicks all eggs are hatched under fostered or Incubators. We keep all Whites Peachicks in the Brooding house for 6-8 weeks minimum. They are then moved to the Juvenile house which has indoor-outdoor pens 70% indoor 30% outdoor. The indoor section is heated but only at night and after 3 weeks we begin to reduce the heating time. The Peachicks are only allowed in the outdoor section from 9.00am to 4.00pm then are locked in the indoor section. One of the most important points we can make is to avoid “Draft” this is one of the biggest killers of White Peachicks and can easily be avoided. White Peachicks need to be fed a high protein diet to assist in body mass and a simple way to do this is at 6 weeks mix in 25% Turkey grower into you Turkey Starter then go to 50% after a week or two. At 8-10 weeks offer them a small amount of Bread and greens

Tips or success
Heat, Heat, Heat, keeping White Peachicks at a stable temperature in VERY important it is one of most important point we can make.
Keep them out of Draft; this is also VERY VERY important
A high protein diet is also very important as this will aid in their development for both immune system and body fat
Keep them away from ALL adult birds (excluding foster if used)
Do not mix Peachicks from different hatchings
Do not be in a hurry to put them outside, do it slowly.
When you do put them in out door pens PLEASE keep a close eye on them particularly if there is a sudden change in the weather.
Keep up the protein until they are at least 12 weeks
Worm them at 6 weeks

Summary
We have been breeding Whites a very long time and have learnt from our mistakes. When we first received whites there was little information on Whites or for that matter Peafowl full stop so we have taken the time to study them and all our Peafowl species by sitting with them for countless hours on end taking notes or by watching Video surveillance. We hope the above article does not put anyone off keeping these magnificent birds they are well worth the effort. And remember when the reach the age of 12 months they are quite a tough species and their Peachick issues are behind them.


Thanks
P.A

Hi all i would just like to say thankyou for such a fantastic article on the white peafowl.
regards jd

Bewdy PA. THanks a lot. I will be alerting all my buyers to this article. P

Thanks PA for this great article on whites.

It does make a lot of sense, I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get these whites. Everytime he says one of the white chicks have died it breaks my heart.

After reading this I can fully understand his hesitation to relocate them at this time, even though it is only an hours drive away.

When you sell your white chicks do you wait till they are past the 25 weeks stage?

On a lighter note, I am picking up 5 indian blues on thursday morning from a local who has around 40 of them, 2 are a mature breeding pair and 3 are approx 1 year old 2 hens and 1 cock. So that will be 2 peacocks and 3 peahens.

Is this a good combination as I can purchase any number of each sex?

I wanted the boys to have at least 2 wives each.

The people I am getting them off also know that if I do manage to breed whites eventually that I wanted to swap a white male for a few more blue hens to try to build up a white population around this area. Not sure if that idea is a good one, it was just a thought as they love their animals also.

Take Care
Deb

GREAT

Just found this, very interesting mate.
Cheers Drew

yes good for newbies & the oldies.



Bourke

Thanks everyone, we will put together a few more Articles on Pied's, Java's, Indo Chinese.



Thanks
P.A

I enjoyed reading that. I dont have them but like reading stuff on all poultry things.

great work pa


regards jase