Editing v0.34:Blue peafowl

{{quality|Exceptional|09:54, 3 June 2011 (UTC)}}
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'''Blue peafowl''' are small birds found in tropical broadleaf forests. The males (peacocks) have bright blue plumage and tail feathers that make large, "eyed" fans. Females (peahens) have brown plumage, and lay [[egg]]s in a [[nest box]]. If a peacock is present and the eggs are not [[food hauling|collected]], they may eventually hatch into peachicks. Peachicks grow into adults 1 year after hatching.

Peafowl can be used as the basis for a poultry industry. They can often be purchased at [[embark]] or from [[trader]]s. Peafowl, [[duck]]s, [[goose|geese]], and [[turkey]]s are the only common domestic egg-laying animals that can be found in wild populations, and, if your fortress includes the proper [[biome]], can be gathered with [[cage trap]]s and [[animal trainer|tamed]], instead of purchased from traders or at embark.

On average, peahens lay slightly fewer eggs than [[chicken|chicken hens]], but are more consistent (and therefore predictable), laying between 6 and 8 eggs per clutch. Additionally, peafowl produce more [[meat]], [[fat]], and [[bone]]s than chickens when butchered as part of a [[meat industry]]. However, [[turkey]]s lay more eggs and produce more meat, fat, and bones than peafowl, although turkeys take twice as long to grow to full size. Tame [[giant eagle]]s produce much more meat, but only a maximum of 3 eggs per clutch, and are therefore a much worse choice for [[egg production]].

{{D for Dwarf}}

All of the qualities of the blue peafowl suggest it would be an excellent choice for [[egg production]] and the [[meat industry]]. However, there is one small problem. At night, blue peafowl enjoy roosting in [[tree]]s. This Elfish conduct is unbecoming for any creature owned by dwarves (although, there are some that feel that eating "tree roosters" sends the right message to the <s>tree-fondling hippies</s> Elves). 

== See also ==

* [[Domestic_animal#Comparison_of_domestic_poultry|Comparison of domestic poultry]]

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