Re homing our peacock.

[Snollygoster]

Hi everyone! New poster here,

I was hoping for some advice, I have a beautiful peacock called Julian who I rescued early this year from a farm where he was having to be locked away due to aggressive behavior. We were told that he had only become aggressive because his peahen had laid eggs and he was territorial of their nest, and believed that he would calm down when taken away the peahen. At first he seemed quite a shy, sweet bird, however as soon as mating season came along his behavior changed.
He started herding me every time I went outside, then jumping onto my back every time I knelt down to do some gardening etc. Then it progressed into chasing me, and attacking my legs when I turned my back. Then he jumped onto my Mother in Law's back and drew blood, and then he attacked my husband when he was getting in the car.
He has always had plenty of good food and water, he roosts in our wood shed and has acres and acres to roam freely, as well as the company of our two chickens, I thought he would be happy here, but I am now at a loss what to do.

As I am pregnant and we run a holiday let next door where he comes into contact with guests we have had to come to the decision that we can no longer keep him. However I am at a loss what to do now, we have had to shut him away for the moment and I can't bear the thought of him unable to roam and getting stressed, but his attacks have just become too much and I can't risk being knocked over.

Does anyone have any advice? I feel like time is short due to having to keep him locked up, which just isn't sustainable for his well being.
Is there anywhere, a charity or a larger company, that would be able to take him?
We live in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.
Any advice would be so appreciated!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

If it was mine, I'd cull it. I can't handle aggressive birds. I would never rehome an aggressive bird without a disclaimer either.
@casportpony @Midnightman14 @KsKingBee

 

[KsKingBee]

This is why people should not imprint a peacock, hens are ok but the territorial nature of the cock is such that when they have no fear of humans they will try to run anyone out of their established breeding area. Not all cocks are like this but they need to have some fear of humans so they will leave you alone.

Out of the thousands of peas, I have had I have only had one that was like the bird you are describing and he ended up with a taxidermist and a permanent home where people will be able to enjoy him for many many years.

One trick I have learned is to change their mentality by asserting your dominance over them. Never let them sit in your lap, that affirms their dominance over you. When they attack you must catch him and straddle him like you are breeding him. It needs to be done repetitively until they get the idea you are the dominant one in the area.

Seeing as you are in no condition to do this your only alternative is to rehome him with full disclosure or a taxidermist.

 

[Snollygoster]

If it was mine, I'd cull it. I can't handle aggressive birds. I would never rehome an aggressive bird without a disclaimer either.
@casportpony @Midnightman14 @KsKingBee

Well this is why I am writing all the information about him rather than just trying to sell him on! I too would never pass on an aggressive bird as it is unfair to all parties. However I could never kill an animal, let alone one I had taken under my care. Though I do appreciate your honest opinion on this matter.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Well this is why I am writing all the information about him rather than just trying to sell him on! I too would never pass on an aggressive bird as it is unfair to all parties. However I could never kill an animal, let alone one I had taken under my care. Though I do appreciate your honest opinion on this matter.

Yeah, that's why I don't want to tell you what to do, just saying what I'd do.

 

[Snollygoster]

This is why people should not imprint a peacock, hens are ok but the territorial nature of the cock is such that when they have no fear of humans they will try to run anyone out of their established breeding area. Not all cocks are like this but they need to have some fear of humans so they will leave you alone.

Out of the thousands of peas, I have had I have only had one that was like the bird you are describing and he ended up with a taxidermist and a permanent home where people will be able to enjoy him for many many years.

One trick I have learned is to change their mentality by asserting your dominance over them. Never let them sit in your lap, that affirms their dominance over you. When they attack you must catch him and straddle him like you are breeding him. It needs to be done repetitively until they get the idea you are the dominant one in the area.

Seeing as you are in no condition to do this your only alternative is to rehome him with full disclosure or a taxidermist.

Thank you for this advice!

Re homing him would be my ideal situation (with full disclosure, somewhere I knew he could be handled well and dealt with well)

Do you have any advice on how I could go about this?

 

[KsKingBee]

Just like kids they seem to have different personalities and will react differently to different people. You could put an ad on Craigslist that you are looking to rehome an aggressive peacock or visit one of the FakeBook peacock groups and offer him there. You didn't finish filling out your profile so it is hard to recommend a group in your area.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Just like kids they seem to have different personalities and will react differently to different people. You could put an ad on Craigslist that you are looking to rehome an aggressive peacock or visit one of the FakeBook peacock groups and offer him there. You didn't finish filling out your profile so it is hard to recommend a group in your area.

They're in Scotland.

 

[Snollygoster]

Thank you for your responses! Yes we are in Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, our nearest town is Stranraer. Thank you I have now put up some posts on facebook groups and am getting some useful responses on there too! I am just so keen to get him to a more suitable situation as soon as I can.

 

[KsKingBee]

They're in Scotland.

ScottiesList?