sexing white peafowl

[vtfarma]

So I know size of the birds and their feet. I am wondering if the fact that I have one that constantly is riding the peahens right now - is that any indication? That one is bigger than the other 2 white ones we have and if I had to guess right now I would say it looks like a male. Any thoughts?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

sounds to be that way? Time will tell for sure, how old are they? Usually by 1 year it's getting kind of obvious, but yeah the size you mentioned is a good indicator, and I have never hear of a hen mounting a hen either.

 

[chrisf]

I used a feather sexing lab to determine the sex of my whites and also my Java peafowl. It was not expensive at all and they send you results quickly.........

 

[vtfarma]

they are 8 months old.

Out of the brooder - a feather sexing lab?

 

[chrisf]

There are many labs available, I think I used Avianbiotech. What they do is send you a "kit," basically consisting of small plastic pouches where you put some freshly plucked feathers in and label it. At the time I did it, it cost around $12.00ea, then you mail in an envelope and about 5days later, the results....................It was worth it for me as the whites are tough to sex till they get older, same with the Java....................

 

[vtfarma]

Okay, the question now is, can I be a patient Vermonter and just wait and trust my judgement or should I just give in and spend the money. I bet by morning that curiosity gets the better of me! Although it makes sense to me that the peafowl are not like cows. cows are indiscriminate in what they jump but I have only seen this one jumping the others so I am hoping he is a he. I have wanted a male white for forever.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

You're prbabley right in what you are thinking, but right now a dna test is the only way to know for sure. Though if you arent selling them, or in the quest for a new mate for them, It really doesnt matter, other than curiousity.
I have 5 that are all about 9 months, 1 male for sure, he's 1/3 bigger than all the rest and getting a few of those tell-tale tail feathers.
Not sure on the others, 4 hens sure would be nice though. I think DNA blodd test are about $25 now, not sure on the feather dna methods price.

 

[vtfarma]

The one that we think is a male is about 1/3 bigger and his tail is starting to get longer - obviously not as long as my older boys but he is definitely what I would consider a male - though I have declared wrong before. I think I will wait and see. I do love a mystery. My other 2 whites and the ugh ... the breed escapes me right now ... are definitely females. The one who lost a foot is a male. He is a gorgeous male too. We are holding our breath that he can breed still. He is sitting on top of a crock on a board in the house watching his mom and sisters every night now. The other two - his sisters are opal recessive gene and they are so pretty. We have a bunch of young stock and they are so feisty over the last week with the early nice weather here. They are noisy and hopping everywhere. I am enjoying them so much.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

I hear ya, they are addictive aint they

 

[deerman]

If all the whites are the same age, 8 months would be a good age to tell males from females, look at leg size , even spur bumps. Males will be longer legged, and have start of spurs.
The mounting either could do that, not sure its mating. More likely just setting pecking order.

Yes all birds can be feather sexed, cost avg about 25.00 depend where you sent the feathers, common with parrot were they take up to 5 yrs. to reach breeding age. and you cant tell by looks.

Peafowl its used for young Javas, Whites, even sometime silver pieds.