Stressed OUT!

[LedgeWoods]

What makes peafowl just up and walk away from home?! My peahen has been free ranging since last fall & my peacock since mid May this year. Both birds are about 14 months old...they are "tame" in that they eat from our hands happily. My hen even lets us hold her. They tend to spend most of their days on the deck preening and being sociable. This morning I was on my way to a neighbor's house and discovered my peas walking down the road almost a half mile away! What the ?!??

With the help of the kids we were able to walk Enick (hen) back home, but Indy dodged into the corn field...he's no where to be found. The road they were on is filled with dump trucks since there's a landfill not too far away. Stopped at a neighbor's place to have them be on the lookout & I've got a call in to a friend who works at the landfill to have the drivers keep an eye out too. Taking a vacation soon and my house/bird sitter isn't going to chase a bird around the county to get him back home. Ugh

I am hoping and praying that he finds his way home tonight. She's been calling for him a little, but also trying to venture down the driveway again too. Kids are on "Enick" patrol to make sure she stays put.

 

[Knix6468]

Maybe they normally visit the neighbors. they might range that far and you just dont realize it. (hopefully) and hopefully your missing on will return this afternoon.

Would the smell of ripe corn, or ripe vegetables in the fields encourage them to go exploring?

good luck

Holly

 

[Kedreeva]

If we knew the answer to what goes on in their little pea brains that makes them decide to stay or go, we'd all have free-range peas that never leave

Unfortunately there's usually little rhyme or reason. People have bought new birds and set them free and had them stay forever, and people have hand raised chicks that love them and leave the second they're set free. Personally I assume there is a Queen Pea someplace psychically directing them where to go to further her plan for world domination.

 

[LedgeWoods]

Indy showed up at the neighbors (about a half mile away)! After 3 separate attempts, we got him in their outbuilding and I was able to net him in there. (He kept dodging into the cornfield, then their dog wanted to help...) But he's HOME now! WHEW!!!

On a separate note - I didn't realize peahens do an "egg squat" like chickens. Enick started squatting earlier this week. Think they were trying to run off to Vegas to elope??

 

[zazouse]

Well mine do it when they are following another animal that does not live here ,like when they see my daughters cat was walking on the road which has no traffic they just have to go and harass the cat, seen them do the same thing with deer yesterday till it finely took off running and they ran right behind it till i lost site of them honking all the way Crazy birds.

I glad i don't have close neighbors i would hate to have to pen them, actually i would not keep them if i had to pen them.

I finely got security cameras to put up around here so when i am inside i can see if they are headed down the easement , that is my only worry with them ranging it is a half a mile long but they could cause an accident if they got on the farm road cause they aren't streetwise all.
They are headed to my daughters place in this photo, that use to be routine but now they don't have a routine they are somewhere different just about ever day.

Glad ya got yours back but i bet he would have come home on his own.

 

[bemba]

Quote:

Glad you got him back

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Most peafowl make a certain area their territory. But others make theirs bigger... they could be doing a walks through theirs.

Glad you got them back.

 

[LedgeWoods]

You'd think 30 acres would suit their needs - little brats. We're completely "enclosed" in our 30 acres as there is a corn field to one side and woods around the rest. Our driveway winds through the woods to the road as well. I wonder if they didn't try following one of the wild turkeys that roam around. Our nearest neighbor is over a 1/4 mile away, too - I like that. I'm glad the neighbor who found him was understanding and helpful