Peacocks are gorgeous birds that add visual ambiance to a homestead. (Their voices are not their selling point.) The most popular species hail from India, Africa, Java, and Burma.
Admittedly, it is the males people love to gaze at the most. Yet, without the plainer peafowl (peahens) around, there are no babies.
But how much do peacocks cost?
Adult peacocks cost between $35 dollars to over $300. Rare varieties with particular traits can cost over $1000.
The condition and age of the peacock impact the price. Eggs and peachicks are less expensive, anywhere from $10 to $100. There are peacock breeding farms that sell the birds and also listings on bird selling sites.
Like horses, cats, and dogs, peacocks come with various qualities and purity of a breed. Run-of-the-mill varieties bought off friends, or a random homestead will be vastly cheaper. But for those that want peacocks that the United Pea Fowl Association approves of must purchase from breeding farms, and they will cost much more.
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Peacock Breeds and Costs
Peacocks are generally healthy birds. However, not all peacock feet are equal. Those with flaws, such as black spots in the wrong place or poor toes, will cost less than those of the same breed with no defects and straight toes. The cheaper peafowl will most likely be a flawed Indian Blue or a color variation that doesn’t conform to the breeding specs.
It is recommended that peacocks are bought as locally as possible, as not all breeders will ship out of state. In addition, some states only allow you to have peacocks from your state.
Regular sellers can be found on Facebook listings, local classifieds, and other local sites. For official registered breeders, the United Peafowl Association has listings by state. (source)
While buying peacocks can be pricey, and you need to build them a pen (even if they are free-ranging, they need access to a pen), their day-to-day costs are minimal. Depending on the forging quality of your land and numbers, their average prices range from $10 – $40 dollars a month.
The Three Main Species of Peafowl
Peacocks have three main species: Green peafowl, or The Javanese (Pavo muticus), India Blue, or Indian (Pavo cristatus), and the Congo peafowl, or the African (Afropavo congensis), which isn’t popular in the United States. (Source)
There are two main reasons the Congo peafowl is practically non-existent in the U.S. Firstly, its endangered.
Secondly, the Congo peafowl does not look like a stereotypical peacock. Instead, it looks a bit like a wild turkey that got together with the other two breeds of peacocks. They are a patchwork of bright colors with a thick, short tail that flairs up. Cute, but very different.
Java Green Peafowl and Subspecies
The green peafowl is the less common of the two main species of peacocks in the United States. However, their bloodlines have been used with the Indian Blue to create the Spalding peacock ($75–$150 dollars). The green peafowl has a lower voice and is less vocal. Their tails are taller and tighter, less fan-shaped.
A pure Java Green, as they are often called, is difficult to find. Its sub-species are even harder. Thus, when you find a breeder willing to sell a Java Green, it will cost you nearly $2,000 dollars.
The three subspecies are:
- Pavo muticus-muticus
- Pavo muticus-imperator
- Pavo muticus-specifier
Indian Blue Peafowl and Color Mutations
The Indian Blue is the classic peacock found in storybooks and Western imaginations. Your run-of-the-mill blue peafowl is going to cost you around $50 to $75 dollars apiece. But, they’ll add beauty, eat the bugs on your property, and be generally easy keepers.
However, if you want a true Indian Blue with all its paperwork, you’ll need to get them from a top-notch breeder that is a member of the United Peafowl Association. These India Blues are much more expensive. Eight non-sexed day-old chicks are $1,355 dollars. A 2-year old breeding pair will cost you $650 dollars and a pair of yearlings will cost $525. (source)
Through selective breeding of India Blues, there are now around 225 color mutations that the United Peafowl Association has approved. There are, obviously, many other peafowl variations. But, just like there are quirky dogs out there, so are there peacocks that don’t fit into a proper breeding category. (source)
As with any animal breeding association, there are official parameters and guidelines on each approved color variation. These list percentages of color and where these colors should show. Random patches or colors outside the percentages will make them “flawed” and thus much more affordable.
The following is a modest selection of the official 225 varieties that are sold.
White Peafowl
First up is the white peafowl, as it is the first mutation to hit the scene. These peacocks are not albinos. However, they have an “absence of color” gene that prevents colors from appearing in their adult feathers.
You can’t tell at birth if the peafowl will be white, black shoulder, or its own quirky pattern unless there is a blood test. At birth, the chicks will all be light yellow, much like a chicken, and they will give no hint of what their future selves will be.
White peafowls are considered special, regardless of where you get them. Expect to pay $200-$250 for your standard white. If you want to obtain an official breeding pair, then the cost will be around $650 – $750 for two.
Black-Shouldered Peafowl
This peafowl is classified as a pattern mutation rather than a color mutation. These tend to cost $50 – $100 dollars per bird from a local seller. From breeders, there are more subcategories, such as split Midnight, split Charcoal, Black Shoulder Silver Pied, Montana Black Shoulder, and depending on type will cost between $200 to over $1000.
Cameo Peafowl
The male cameos have chocolate brown heads and crests, with white facial skin. The wings and train are light tans and browns. The overall result is a creamy bird with brown accents, looking much like a bride on her wedding day.
These birds cost around $200-$250. Breeding pairs are sold together for $600-$700 dollars.
Violette Peafowl
Violette peafowls are rare and nearly impossible to buy from anyone that isn’t an official breeder. They are a very dark violet with tail feathers of purple, black, and beetle green. So be prepared to pay over $1000 for a breeding pair. (source)
Resources
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/peacock
- http://www.nelsonroadvet.com/articles/livestock/fowl/general-care-of-the-peafowl-peacock/
- https://www.bird-vet.com/PeacockCare-PeafowlVet.aspx
- https://www.purelypoultry.com/java-green-peafowl-p-1062.html
- http://www.leggspeafowl.com/peafowl-for-sale-2020-hatch.html