If a peacock is a caponized would he still grow the big tail?

Question

caponizing is the removal of the testes of male fowl. Needing to know if the seasonal big tail is hormone driven.

Answer 1

Yes, but only if it is a male because a female is not colorful. Other wise it will not mate.

Answer 2

i have no idea.......but what a great question!

Answer 3

That's an interesting question...never thought about it before.  You realize most people reading your question have zero idea what a capon is, right?

I do not actually know the answer as it related to peacocks.  However I do know this about the capon chickens...the combs and wattles are exceptionally small on them.  However the tail feathers, and the saddle feathers grow extremely long.

So if the same thing follows through with the peacocks, you might have a bird of huge size, gentle nature, and exceptionally gorgeous tail feathers.

Certainly hormones must be playing a part in the development of a peacocks tail.  However the seasonal sheading and regrowth of said tail, is simply part of the seasonal moulting process all birds go through.

I'm against caponizing...a rather cruel and barbaric surgery.  Still I'm very currious about it relating to peacocks now that you brought the subject up.

I know that both turkeys and pheasants have both been caponized.  Turkeys just get fatter with not much extra growth.  Pheasants get fatter (jucier) with a bit faster growth.

~Garnet

Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years