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Posted

The peahens at the stable produced chicks a couple of weeks ago. While watching the little cuties faithfully following their mommas around I (without thinking) said "Wouldn't it be fun to have a peacock?" The kids instantly caught on to this idea, and it was only DH pointing out that we live in base housing and a peacock would be a major problem that got me out of that fix.

 

Fast forward to today... we're at the stable and dd12 finds a chick who is dragging one leg and peeping for it's momma who has retreated to a rooftop because a cat is stalking the chick. (I won't comment on the obvious absence of maternal instinct on the part of the peahen!) To the pleading of both my girls and several other kids, (and the dismay of the cat!) I rescued the chick... only to be faced with the question of "what do I do with it, now?"

 

I talked frankly w/ dds and pointed out that the chick had obviously already been attacked/injured and probably wouldn't live through the night regardless of what we did. We decided it would be kinder to bring it home w/ us, so if it does die, it can do so peacefully and not suffer further attacks from cats/mongoose. So here I am, with a peafowl chick in a Rubbermaid tote, hoping, hoping that he/she is still with us tomorrow. But what does one do with a peafowl? If it lives will the other peafowl at the stable accept it back? Or does the base have a new mascot?:001_huh:

Posted

I was at a local farm one day (wildlife rehabilitator who took an injured bird from me) and there were peahens and peacocks all over the place running about freely and roosting in the lower branches of trees. I couldn't say what you should do with yours, except keep it close until it can fly up to get away from predators.

 

I read "Henry Reed's Babysitting Service" when I was in elementary school and one chapter described peacocks as being very stupid. They sometimes drown in the rain because they tilt their heads back and open their mouths. Also, they have a cry that resembles a woman crying for help - don't be taken by that if your hen should live to be old enough to do that :).

 

That's my store of knowledge on the subject - not much help, I know.

 

Kathleen in Va

www.homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue

Posted

Well, the peachick is still with us... peeping it's little heart out looking for Momma. The local vet specializes in birds, so guess where we are going today! I know it's going to be expensive, but for some reason I feel compelled to continue on with this little guy/girl. It's illogical to spend money on a bird that I have no idea what I'll do with... but I can't just do nothing, just like I couldn't just leave it at the stable to be attacked by a cat or mongoose.

 

One odd thing is that my 13 yr old (male) Belgian Sheepdog insists on being near the peachick, and not in a predatory sort of way. He seems to be watching over the little guy/girl.

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