Peacocks Get a New Home

The peafowl population at our home has outgrown its home so Mr. Adventure decided it was time to build them a new home.  What is the story with the peacocks?  When we moved to the country, Steve decided he needed peacocks.  He made some sort of  deal with a local neighbor to trade a fence for a pair of peacocks.  I never saw the neighbor again–he must have decided he better leave before I figured out the whole story about peacocks.

Our first peacocks –actually called peafowl, peacocks are male, peahens are female–were named Romeo and Juliet.  We kept them in a  pen for several months to allow them to get acclimated.  We installed mirrors in the pen as we were instructed.  In the spring we let Romeo and Juliet out of the pen to explore.   They were a happy couple until the fall.  In the fall, Romeo and Juliet got mixed up with the wild turkeys who also inhabited our farm.  On several occasions, Mr. Adventure was able to woo them back to the pen by having them follow a food trail.  However, Juliet could not be swayed, she finally took off with the wild turkey of her choice, never to be seen again.  Romeo remained heart broken and lonely.

Not one to give up on a dream and feeling sorry for Romeo, Mr. Adventure purchased another peacock and two peahens.  Over the years, we have had as many as 15 peafowl.  They enjoy hanging out on our front porch, perching on the railing, chairs and table.  Walking onto our porch might look like one is  playing some mixed up game of hopscotch trying to avoid the random droppings left by the birds. 

We have enjoyed watching the eggs hatch into peachicks over the years.  It is fascinating to watch the mother train her chick to fly.  They are beautiful creatures even though they are messy.

Manhandling the roll of wire to go around the posts

Nailing the wire

Wiring is finished along with a top rail.

Next step is the netting over the top to keep them from flying away–yes they fly quite well

Over the years I have tried to give away the peacocks–Steve has been appalled that I would even consider giving them away when they are worth at least $75 each depending on their color.  We have three different colors of peafowl–Leucistic Indian Peafowl (white), India Blue(iridescent blue), and Pied (white/blue mix). One website I visited advertised prices for assorted peachicks ranging from $34.10 to $51.13.  They were sold out.  This website also claimed that peafowl make great pets because they are more affectionate that other types of poultry.  Our dog Jack would beg to differ.  He has a scar on his head from a time when he got too close to Romeo. 

Perhaps there is a opportunity in the peafowl business that  I have overlooked…

joy

John 16:33     Psalm 112:4, 7