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Peacock, peahen, peachick, peafowl
Quote:
Originally Posted by
David Dockstader
I can't avoid being THAT snarky in responding. If you actually have an egg from a peaCOCK, I think that fluorescence is the least interesting attribute. :p Try "peafowl."
Yes, of course, you are correct. However, the colloquially accepted generic name for any peafowl is "peacock" since that is what the average person is familiar with.
"Peafowl is a common name for three species of birds in the genera Pavo and Afropavo of the Phasianidae family, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl as peahens, though peafowl of either sex are often referred to colloquially as peacocks." I don't obsess much about the name.
But actually, I said it was a peacock egg. Assuming it is fertile and survives it may develop into a peacock or it may develop into a peahen. If somehow possible to determine the sex of the embryo I guess could label one a peacock egg or a peahen egg. Without question though, if it hatches it has a 100% chance of being a peachick! :) I'm not experienced enough to sex them until they are a few months old, then then subtle differences in the texture of the feathers on the back begin to show.
I decided to use the word "peacock" on flyers and craigslist ads since that's what potential buyers notice and search for.
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I've sold over $1000 this year from last year's hatch at $100 each - one guy bought four. I have with 17 eggs in the incubator so far from this season, three are gifts from another person, valuable for genetic variation. Probably more to come since the season is just starting.
Regardless of what you call them, the prices are unbelievable. Look at this price list: http://www.leggspeafowl.com/adult-peafowl-for-sale.html
Even the day old chicks: $500 for eight! Yikes.
Someone asked me if the eggs are good for omelets. Sure. I found one seller offering eggs for $30 each, minimum order of six.
Would make a big omelet for a big rich guy. Look at the size of a typical jumbo chicken egg, guinea fowl egg, and peafowl egg:
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One interesting thing about incubating eggs in general: at about 7 or so days you can shine a bright light through the shell (candling) and see shadows of the developing embryo. Similar to an ultrasound on a developing human egg, you can sometimes watch the embryo move around in the egg. A little later in the development you can hold the egg and sometimes feel the movement. At hatch time the eggs wobble and rock as the little bird orients itself for the pipping.
As for the fluorescence, in 2018 I found an article: "The red glow, or fluorescence, of eggs under a UV light is due to a molecule found on egg shells." I see the article is still there, updated: https://www.compoundchem.com/2018/03...-fluorescence/
Another interesting thing I discovered about color and peacock feathers - in looking at one of the brilliantly colored eye feathers under a low power microscope, I found no obvious pigment by using transmitted light. Every tiny stacked disk on a strand were the same dull red while reflected light showed the incredible blue, green, red and such. I've wondered if the the colors come at least in part from wavelengths reflected from layers of cells on the surface in a process similar to the color you see on the front of a multi-coated camera lens. I may try to get a photograph of that.
A Snark, BTW, is an imaginary animal (often used to refer to someone or something that is difficult to track down). https://www.dictionary.com/browse/snark I have no idea how that relates to peabirds although the females are in fact notoriously difficult to find when nesting in the woods. Might be a good name for one. I once spent two weeks looking for a peahen on a nest. It turned out to just a dozen yards from the barn!
Enough about birds, what about woodworking? Yesterday I turned another wooden egg to a friend. We put these decoy eggs in the nest to encourage the hen to lay more even while we are stealing them. Due to predators and other hazards, artificially incubating is FAR more reliable then letting the hens incubate.
JKJ