Sounds like the critters had a rough weekend - and the critter parents. So very sorry for everyone's losses.
Question
How do ya'll deal with 'that neighbor' who wants to raise a stink when a bird goes wandering? Not chickens or guineas but the occassional stroll by the 2 peacocks. Unlike chickens the peacocks don't tear up gardens etc -- they will walk through them and nab bugs and seeds but my boys - nor the birds of the woman where I got my guys - had ever been prone to tearing up anything in the garden - maybe an occassional leaf nibble for a taste then move along.
This neighbor has planted a 3 x 4 garden along the side of the their property - right next to the road. Not a lick of fencing surrounding it so it's wide open to deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, and anything that takes a notion to stroll through.
Yes I need my aviary built for the peacocks -- not denying that. Trying and can't seem to catch a freaking break with the better half's work schedule to allow us time to actually put the thing together.
Anyway - earlier in May neighbor thought it was wonderful that they boys came for a stroll to visit. I walked down and shoo'ed them home. Honestly I think they get turned around and can't figure out where the house is. Apparently they are following wild turkeys - we have them on trail camera eating with the turkeys. Looking for a hen. (another rabbit trail - my search for a flipping hen.... ) Then a few days later she called and said they were down there but now all of a sudden she claims they are tearing up her flowers and garden. I went back and got them - found no evidence of them in flowers nor garden. Counted over 200 deer track on the road between our driveway and theirs though...... (dirt road)
So I started confining them at night to the pole barn -- this did seem to work while their rut was at it's worst. Then for whatever reason (fireworks the night before?) they were down there again yesterday morning. This time her husband called - very threatening and declared they were had just returned from vacation and they birds were destroying the garden and his wife's flowers and he 'suggested' we come get them NOW and furthemore he'd shoot them if they were in the yard again.
When we got to their house the birds were 100 yards down the road - absolutely no sign of anything wrong with their garden -- and the garden is STILL unprotected from the local wildlife.
Legally I understand he is in his right if he perceives his property is being destroyed and there is nothing I can do if any of my animals were to wander over that way. I am extremely frustrated with the situation as these two refuse to believe the peacocks are not causing damage to their flowers or garden. They walk through mine daily - scooping up bugs and weed seeds. I've yet to see them attack a plant, scratch at a plant, or lay in a plant.
A large part of me wants to yell at him and say hey DA$ why don't you fence your beloved garden in if it's that big a deal. Also do you not know we've got 4 black bear roaming this road and you've got bird feeders in your flower bed? What kind of stupid are you? This isn't the city limits.....
I just had to vent. I literally spent yesterday trying to corral those two into a small enclosure to no avail. I watched their every move until they went up to roost in 'their' tree next to the back door. This morning we've pouring rain -- still can't get them into the pole barn - but the last I checked them they had burrowed under a trailer to get out of the rain.
I am so angry with the situation - do y'all know anyone who helps put coops/aviaries up? I'm to that point - getting the rest of my supplies and trying to find someone to do an aviary raising.
Question
How do ya'll deal with 'that neighbor' who wants to raise a stink when a bird goes wandering? Not chickens or guineas but the occassional stroll by the 2 peacocks. Unlike chickens the peacocks don't tear up gardens etc -- they will walk through them and nab bugs and seeds but my boys - nor the birds of the woman where I got my guys - had ever been prone to tearing up anything in the garden - maybe an occassional leaf nibble for a taste then move along.
This neighbor has planted a 3 x 4 garden along the side of the their property - right next to the road. Not a lick of fencing surrounding it so it's wide open to deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, and anything that takes a notion to stroll through.
Yes I need my aviary built for the peacocks -- not denying that. Trying and can't seem to catch a freaking break with the better half's work schedule to allow us time to actually put the thing together.
Anyway - earlier in May neighbor thought it was wonderful that they boys came for a stroll to visit. I walked down and shoo'ed them home. Honestly I think they get turned around and can't figure out where the house is. Apparently they are following wild turkeys - we have them on trail camera eating with the turkeys. Looking for a hen. (another rabbit trail - my search for a flipping hen.... ) Then a few days later she called and said they were down there but now all of a sudden she claims they are tearing up her flowers and garden. I went back and got them - found no evidence of them in flowers nor garden. Counted over 200 deer track on the road between our driveway and theirs though...... (dirt road)
So I started confining them at night to the pole barn -- this did seem to work while their rut was at it's worst. Then for whatever reason (fireworks the night before?) they were down there again yesterday morning. This time her husband called - very threatening and declared they were had just returned from vacation and they birds were destroying the garden and his wife's flowers and he 'suggested' we come get them NOW and furthemore he'd shoot them if they were in the yard again.
When we got to their house the birds were 100 yards down the road - absolutely no sign of anything wrong with their garden -- and the garden is STILL unprotected from the local wildlife.
Legally I understand he is in his right if he perceives his property is being destroyed and there is nothing I can do if any of my animals were to wander over that way. I am extremely frustrated with the situation as these two refuse to believe the peacocks are not causing damage to their flowers or garden. They walk through mine daily - scooping up bugs and weed seeds. I've yet to see them attack a plant, scratch at a plant, or lay in a plant.
A large part of me wants to yell at him and say hey DA$ why don't you fence your beloved garden in if it's that big a deal. Also do you not know we've got 4 black bear roaming this road and you've got bird feeders in your flower bed? What kind of stupid are you? This isn't the city limits.....
I just had to vent. I literally spent yesterday trying to corral those two into a small enclosure to no avail. I watched their every move until they went up to roost in 'their' tree next to the back door. This morning we've pouring rain -- still can't get them into the pole barn - but the last I checked them they had burrowed under a trailer to get out of the rain.
I am so angry with the situation - do y'all know anyone who helps put coops/aviaries up? I'm to that point - getting the rest of my supplies and trying to find someone to do an aviary raising.