There’s no denying the peacock is one of the cutest, most beautiful, and most mesmerizing birds on earth. This bird, especially the males, has a stunning tail that catches the attention of any bird enthusiast. And since it’s a bird-like any other, it’s natural for most enthusiasts to wonder about their eggs. So, how big are peacock eggs?
Well, that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in this short guide. But, before we begin, allow me to clear the air just a bit. Now, peacocks are males while peahens are females. Together, this species is called peafowl. So, if someone asks whether peacocks lay eggs, then the answer is NO. Males don’t lay eggs and instead, it’s the peahen or the female peafowl that lays eggs.
About the size of the eggs, peacock eggs are approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. However, this measurement is just an approximation as the eggs can be smaller or larger depending on the bird’s age, health, and subspecies among other factors.
Where Do Peacocks Originate From?
Before we discuss the origin of the peacock, we would like to start by stating some important facts about these majestic birds. First, males are the most beautiful. Their unique plumage, which includes colored spots, helps them to attract mates and scare small predators as they tend to appear larger.
Secondly, the blue peacock is the most popular, and it’s what comes to mind when you think of a peacock. Thirdly, the colored spots you see on peacock feathers are called ocelli. Lastly, a group of peacocks is called a muster, pride, or ostentation.
That said, the peacock is a rare bird that originated in India. That’s the reason why you’ll hear most enthusiasts calling them the Indian peacocks. They’re also found in some parts of Africa, such as Congo where they live in the wild.
Peacocks are birds that thrive best in warm climates. This makes them highly popular in savannah and desert locations. Peacocks are crepuscular creatures as they’re most active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. They’re usually active during summer, which is mostly their preferred breeding period.
Different Colors of Peacocks
Now, peacocks are attractive birds that are hugely hailed for their iridescent and extravagant tail feathers that turn bluish green when light shines on them. These birds exist in just three species that include the blue peacock, the green peacock, and the Congo peacock.
The blue peacock is common in India and Sri Lanka while the green peacock comes from Java and Myanmar. Now, if peacocks are just blue and green, where then do you get all the other colors? Before we even begin, peacocks are available in 13 different colors including blue and green.
These colors are a result of a genetic mutation or a genetic makeup after crossing the blue peacock. These colors include White, Charcoal, Opal, Cameo, Purple, Sonja’s Violet, Indigo, Midnight, Jade, Taupe, Peach, Hazel, and Buford Bronze. Despite being beautiful, these colors are yet to be standardized leaving Blue and Green as the official recognized colors.
Do Peacocks Lay Eggs?
If we can get to science a bit, peacocks are males while peahens are females. Together, they’re called peafowls. So, when you ask whether peacocks lay eggs, then the answer is no. Peacocks don’t lay eggs as they’re males. Females, also called the peahens, are the ones responsible for laying eggs and sitting on a clutch to hatch chicks.
How Big Are Peafowl Eggs?
If you’re asking this question, then there’s a possibility you have a mixed flock in your backyard. At least knowing the size of their eggs is important as it lets you distinguish which bird laid an egg. When it comes to identifying peacock eggs, you need to note that their eggs are larger than those of chickens and ducks.
They are around 3 inches long and 2 inches wide with the size being variable depending on age, health, and sub-species. When you compare a peacock’s egg to that of a chicken’s, the former is 50% larger. It’s also the same size as that of a turkey and smaller when compared to that of an ostrich.
Are Peafowl Eggs Bigger Than Chicken Eggs?
When comparing the size of eggs the different bird species lay, most breeders use the domestic chicken’s egg to demonstrate the difference in size. The same applies to the peacock’s egg where a chicken’s egg is the best when explaining the difference in sizes.
But first, you need to note that a chicken’s egg can vary in size depending on the breed, age, feeding, and health condition. With these factors in mind, the average size of a chicken’s egg is approximately 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide (diameter).
On the other hand, a peacock’ egg is approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The same applies to the yolk and the egg white where that of a peacock is bigger than that of a chicken. So, with these statistics, it’s clear that a peacock’s egg is about 50% bigger than that of a chicken.
Peafowl Egg Weight
When it comes to the weight of the egg, a peacock’s egg is considered to be heavier than that of a chicken. To understand its weight, we will compare it to that of a domesticated chicken. Now, a chicken’s egg weighs around 50 – 70 grams depending on the breed.
That of a peacock weighs around 90 – 100 grams. This weight is around two times that of a chicken meaning two chicken eggs are equivalent to one peacock egg. Now, why are peacock eggs so heavy? Well, one possible reason is the issue of survival.
Since most peacocks live in the wild, laying large and heavy eggs will discourage predators from stealing their eggs. This will give the baby peachicks more chances of survival. However, there’s a downside to this. Heavy bulky eggs make it hard for the peahen to sit on them making incubation difficult.
Do People Eat Peafowl Eggs?
Yes, they do. Peacock eggs are edible, just as it’s the case with all other bird eggs. The only eggs that can’t be eaten are those of flying birds as they’re too tiny. However, being small doesn’t mean they can’t be eaten. It’s just that you have to collect lots of them to have a decent serving.
Nonetheless, when it comes to peahen eggs, the size is large, thus giving you more nutrition volume. Most kitchen enthusiasts argue that peacock eggs are tastier, flavorsome, and gamier than chicken eggs. These eggs are rich in proteins, essential amino acids, saturated and unsaturated fats, minerals, and vitamins, including B12.
With such high nutritional value, peacock eggs can benefit the human body in myriad ways. Some of them include aiding in weight loss, improving cognitive performance, and improving the functioning of the brain and the nervous system.
How Long Do Peacock Eggs Take to Hatch?
One thing about all birds is that the smaller the species, the less time it will take to hatch the egg while the larger the bird, the more time it will take for the eggs to hatch. As for peacocks, these are larger birds, which means their eggs will take longer to hatch as compared to those of smaller birds.
On average, the incubation period of peacock eggs takes around 28 – 30 days. If you’re raising these majestic birds for the first time, it’s always advisable to let the peahens incubate the eggs on their own. Otherwise, you can add the eggs to those of a broody turkey and let her foster the peachicks.
If you’re using an incubator, then you should be aware of how to switch incubator settings, and don’t forget to use fertilized eggs.
Lastly, if the eggs are incubated by a broody peahen, make sure you provide open space or a large coop as they hate small overcrowded confined spaces. You can also add some trees to your backyard as they love to perch on branches.
Peacock Eggs vs Chicken Eggs
| Peacock Eggs | Chicken Eggs |
| Weighs approximately 90 – 110 grams | Weighs around 50 – 70 grams |
| Eggs can range from buff white, light/pale brown, or white with dark spots | Usually white or brown with blue, sage green, olive green, reddish brown, chocolate, and pink being common colors |
| Thick egg shell that’s hard to crack | The egg shell is thin and easy to crack |
| Bigger egg yolk | The egg yolk is slightly smaller |
| The yolk has a deep yellow color | Ranges from light to deep yellow depending on the health of the chicken |
| Rich taste with a gamier aftertaste | The taste isn’t rich due to the small yolk |
Peafowl Eggs Color
From what we’ve learned so far, peacock eggs are slightly larger than those of chickens and ducks and about the same size as turkey eggs. We’ve also discussed the weight where we’ve mentioned that peacock eggs are heavier than chicken eggs. But, what about the color? Well, the color of their eggs is usually determined by their genes. For instance, some peacocks will lay buff white eggs while others will lay light/pale brown eggs, or white eggs with dark spots.
How Often Do Peacocks Lay Eggs?
First, peacocks reach maturity at around 2 years. At this time, the pullets are considered mature and capable of laying eggs. Secondly, their egg production is highest during spring and summer. This is the same time when they usually breed.
About laying eggs, peahens lay an egg every 2 – 3 days. In case the eggs are not collected, she will proceed to lay until she has a clutch of around 6 – 12 eggs. Once she accumulates enough eggs, the peahen will have a high chance of sitting on them to hatch them.
To those that are raising their peacocks for egg production, then you can consider feeding them the best laying feeds. Here, you can expect the peahens to lay an egg daily provided you pick the eggs. Failure to pick the eggs means that the peahen might accumulate them and sit on them.
How to Tell if a Peafowl Egg Is Fertile?
When incubating peacock eggs, it’s always good to check whether they’re fertile to avoid wasting time incubating infertile eggs. But, how do you tell the eggs are fertile? Well, the first method is to crack one of the eggs to inspect the inside.
A fertile peacock egg will contain a blastoderm or rather a small white circle on the yolk that resembles a bullseye. The second method you can use is to candle the egg in a dark room. Here, you should see veins and a dark spot in the middle.
Where to Buy Peacocks Eggs
Quite similar to chicken eggs, peacock eggs can be bought in local or online hatcheries. This applies to if you’re looking to consume the eggs or incubate them. The reason why I’ve said this is simply because peacock eggs are so rare that you won’t find them in most grocery stores or supermarket shelves. Remember, these birds lay a few eggs, maybe 2 each week making their eggs quite scarce.
Another place you can get their eggs is in local poultry farms where you’re sure they raise peacocks. About the pricing, peacock eggs will fetch around $10 – $40 per egg if it’s fertilized and less than this if it’s unfertilized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do Male Peacocks Sit on Eggs?
No, they don’t. Peacocks don’t sit on the eggs as they’re the males. Their work is only to fertilize the eggs. From there, it’s the duty of the peahens to sit on the eggs and to raise the chicks when they hatch.
Q2. Do Peahens Lay Eggs Without a Mate?
Yes, they do. Peahens will comfortably lay eggs without a peacock nearby. The only role a mate plays is to fertilize the eggs during mating. Otherwise, the male does not interfere with the egg formation and egg-laying anatomy of the peahen.
Q3. How Long Do Peahens Sit on Their Eggs?
It usually takes 28 – 30 days. During this period, the peahen sits on the eggs to incubate them and only leaves the nest when she’s hunting for food. If you’re raising the peacocks in your backyard, it’s always recommended that you provide them with food and fresh drinking water during the incubation process. Also, make sure that you provide them with an open space or a large coop as young peahens dislike confinement.
Final Thoughts
So, how big are peacock eggs? Well, I believe this guide has offered you everything you need to know about peacock eggs. I also believe that you won’t face any difficulty identifying a peacock egg from others if you’re raising a mixed flock.
But, other than the size, we’ve covered a lot of other interesting things about peacocks such as the incubation period, how often they lay eggs and how to tell whether their eggs are fertile or not.
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Hello, I am John Reid. I have been raising chickens for the last 15 years. I have got my experience from my father. My father is the owner of a large chicken farm. This is our family business that has been continuing for over 35 years. I am very interested in backyard chickens and I know how to take care of them. You can learn more About Us here. Happy Reading!!
