Stray Peacock!!

[mberry222]

A friend of mine called me yesterday and said there was a peacock in her backyard and asked if I wanted it. They do not want the bird around because of roommates that don't care for him and his mess. After work I went over to check it out and he was gone but this morning we was back and ate some cat food they had set out. I have never had peafowl but have done a bit of reading on keeping them. I have a temparary place I can house him while I get a better setup (taller run). Does anyone have suggestions of how to catch him with out hurting him?? My friend said he will come and eat like 3 feet from her. I read somewhere the best time to catch them is when they roost. The problem there is this one has been roosting on the highest part of the roof!!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Has your friend talked to the neighbors? I'm wondering if it's a neighbor's bird and they don't realize where he is going.

 

[mberry222]

Yes and also post a listing on Craigslist. Cannot locate the owner.

 

[BlackBart]

My neighbour catches them with a snare, I don't know how he does it.
I caught my male by sneaking up behind him when he had his tail up and then I grabbed his legs, he gave up pretty quick. But he was very tame.

 

[mberry222]

Quote:
Yes and also posted a listing on Craigslist. Cannot find the owner.

 

[deerman]

Use a fishing landing net. If he within 3 feet.

Take a large dog cage, put food in the cage, long rope on the door.When he goes in to eat pull the door shut.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

It sounds like you have quite an adventure on your hands!

I need to change my signiture to say...
"There's more than one way to catch a Peacock!"

Let us know how it turns out!

 

[chixie]

we had one show up several years ago ... he stayed almost a year and then he moved on to a neighbors house... and he was up in a tree and made to much noise so they shot him( i thnk they may have eaten him.. they were that kind of people)... he was only there for a couple of days...

 

[astylishgirl]

You lucky thing! I wish a peacock would show up in my yard!

 

[Kev]

A large dog Havahart trap- might be able to rent one out or ask Animal Control to use one of theirs for a few days. Those work well, if he seems shy of it, just don't let anybody feed him at all and place a few food nearish it, right next to it and some inside. He'll eventually get hungry and go in.

Another option is a shed or if there's a chicken coop, just open the door and toss some feed in in plain view with a very small amount by the open door to get him "directed" and hopefully walk inside.

I have never managed to net a loose peacock unless it was already trapped/cornered with not much in escape route by sheer luck. Recent escapees are easier but still.. peafowl already loose for months or their entire lives are much, much harder- they get savvy and athletic.