Phenotype: The observable physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism

Genotype: The specific genetic makeup of an organism

Genes are indeed the building foundations of life. Plants, people, insects etc… are all driven by an internal code that maintains, adapts and evolves within the organism‘s surroundings guiding the future of its species. The mechanics of peafowl genetics works the same as wild and domesticated animals, rabbits, parakeets, horses etc… one just needs to understand the identified color and pattern mutations of the species and how they affect the phenotype (visual representation) and the genotype (internal genetic blueprint). Peafowl are considered ornamental and it is paramount that you understand phenotype vs genotype. To have the best flock you must breed and identify the best and wanted pheno offspring. If you breed just to increase the genes, the future of your flock could suffer. This is why many peafowl and other domesticated animals drastically differ in appearance vs their wild cousins. The Pavo Cristatus aka India blue species has produced many mutations largely due to the non pressures and adaptive challenges of domestication and those mutations have been exploited through hybridization. To this date, there are no verified mutations within the Pavo Muticus (Green Peafowl) species only suspects but most are results of hybridization between India Blues aka common peafowl and Green Peafowl.

One must remember once a hybrid, always a hybrid and creating great looking spaldings must start with a project and a goal. Here at Bob’s we start with the best Import Green roosters bred to the best pheno hens ie… purple, pied, white etc… we then grow the offspring out and within the first 2-3 years we select the best birds for future breeding projects and repeat the process. A firm understanding of genetics and the effects of Domestication vs Natural Selection are the capstone for a great looking flock.

Gerald Barker

4 November 2025