Peafowl Image Database
  • Welcome
  • Adult Peafowl
    • Indian Blue
    • White
    • Cameo
    • Purple
    • Peach
    • Midnight
    • Buford Bronze
    • Opal
    • Charcoal
    • Sonja's Violeta
    • Montana
    • Spalding
    • Green
  • Peachicks
    • Less Than 2 Weeks
    • 2 Weeks
    • 3 Weeks
    • 4 Weeks
    • 5 Weeks
    • 6 Weeks
    • 7 Weeks
    • 8 Weeks
    • 3 months
    • 4 months
    • 5 months
    • 6 months
    • 7 months
    • 8 months
  • Breeding, Eggs, & Nests
    • Hens Preparing to Lay
    • Nests
    • Breeding Behaviors
    • Incubators
    • Eggs
    • Abnormal Eggs
    • Candling eggs
  • Health & Anatomy
  • Contact
  • Contributors
  • Reference Links
  • Photo Taking Guide
  • Submit a Photo

Peahens preparing to lay

Being able to recognize a peahen's behavior and posture when she is preparing to lay eggs makes it possible to tell when there are problems with either eggs or hen.

Typical "going to lay an egg in the next day or two" posture has the bird's wings dropped low, tail held up, smooth feather contours, and head up (bright, alert, responsive, or BAR). If the tail is held down (unless she is actively laying the egg) and/or the head pulled in very close to the body, and/or she is puffing up her feathers (looking like she is cold), then she may need immediate veterinary care.

✱ Please note: If your peahen looks like she is about to lay an egg, and goes for 24-48 hours without laying an egg, this may be a sign that she is egg-bound and needs immediate treatment. Please see a vet, or check on the BYC Peafowl Forum for detailed advice.

Healthy Egg Laying Postures

Videos of Laying Hens

These links show pre-laying or actively-laying behavior.
Aurora Laying
Beep Prepping "Nest" and Laying

Eggbound or Ill Hens

Please note: This picture has a "warning" because this hen was egg-bound and died. If your hen looks like this, it does not mean that she will die! But you need to investigate her condition immediately.
Please visit the BYC Peafowl Forum for information, advice, and discussion on all things Pea!
  • Welcome
  • Adult Peafowl
    • Indian Blue
    • White
    • Cameo
    • Purple
    • Peach
    • Midnight
    • Buford Bronze
    • Opal
    • Charcoal
    • Sonja's Violeta
    • Montana
    • Spalding
    • Green
  • Peachicks
    • Less Than 2 Weeks
    • 2 Weeks
    • 3 Weeks
    • 4 Weeks
    • 5 Weeks
    • 6 Weeks
    • 7 Weeks
    • 8 Weeks
    • 3 months
    • 4 months
    • 5 months
    • 6 months
    • 7 months
    • 8 months
  • Breeding, Eggs, & Nests
    • Hens Preparing to Lay
    • Nests
    • Breeding Behaviors
    • Incubators
    • Eggs
    • Abnormal Eggs
    • Candling eggs
  • Health & Anatomy
  • Contact
  • Contributors
  • Reference Links
  • Photo Taking Guide
  • Submit a Photo