When I buy peacock I usually go for the full eye. The premium herls are the ones on either side just below the eye. They are a little shorter than further down the stem but bushier. Those are the ones I reserve for my flies. There are only 12 to 20 on an eye.

Fortunately now I know where there is a flock of peafowl so if I want feathers I just need to have a walk around there and pick some up. There is an albino one in the flock. The land owner hates them. One day we must arrange for that and one of the others to have an accident! The problem is the dominant male will not let others grow the tales we want. On the down side I don't know anyone with a big enough oven, I suppose I'll have to joint them.

Cheers,
A.