However, they have never been a table bird and their acute screams during breeding season have discouraged or prevented many from keeping them as livestock. As to category, I would say they range from standard poultry with the blues to the exotic category with some of the more scarce mutations such as the cameo. If this is correct, then there will be a surge in demand for exotic peafowl over the next few years since the exotic market in general is growing in popularity as farmers and ranchers move away from the old standard livestock of cattle and chickens to more money - producing livestock ventures. Exotic peafowl are certainly more affordable at this point than are alpacas and ostriches and are generally easier to raise. If recent trends are any indication, then we are already experiencing a rise in demand.
Prices are up and there appears to be a healthy market interest at present.
I'll tell you one thing though, it's all in market demand, and I'd personally like to be around if it happens. This article originally appeared in Volume 1, Number 1 of The Peacock Journal. This article is reprinted here with permission from the author. Reproduction elsewhere in any form without prior consent from the UPA is strictly prohibited. The United Peafowl Association.