The illusive Petey Peacock Esquire still on the loose

 In Opinion

Sometimes you buy things without actually knowing what you are getting into.

Such is the case with a purchase I made at the Keady auction.

I bought a beautiful young male peacock.

I have never owned a peacock before, in fact I really didn’t know a whole lot about them at the time.

I now know considerably more;  What they eat, where they roost, even how much poop a peacock can generate (it would surprise you).

I thought that I would enjoy my peacock, aptly named Petey Peacock Esquire, for the summer and perhaps see about selling him once the weather cooled down.

When you go to sales at Keady, or Mount Forest, you get to know people who have the same sort of interests as you. You compare notes and list the breeds of fowl that you are looking for. You discuss diseases and lament in the misery of the demise of a duck or chicken.

So it was through this network of fowl enthusiasts that I had someone approach me about buying Petey Peacock, perfect!

The summer was coming to an end and I had to reduce my flock somewhat.  The lady sent me a text that she would be coming over in the afternoon to pick up said peacock, I told her that I would have him bagged and ready for her to transport him safely home.  Now, remember that I have very limited experience with peacocks.

I sorted most of the chickens away from the outside yard that Petey spent his days in, and told him calmly what was going to happen.

I do this little speech more for myself than the animal as it helps me to keep my wits about me.

In one hand I had the large fishing net which is essential for fowl catching (unless it is night time then you can just walk up and grab them) and a very sturdy pair of gloves on.

I spoke to Petey so that he would realize that it was only I, his keeper and feeder, that was in the enclosure.

He jumped around and tried to fly up but then he would fall to the ground, I waved the net around trying to get it over his body without causing any harm, when before you could say “Bruce Lee” he flew at the door with his legs straight out and kicked out the heavy duty screen and jumped out the hole!

Jeepers (not quite the word I used), and he was gone. I have never seen Petey run so fast… ever.

He was gone to the pasture and doing that proud peacock strut that they do.  I have tried in vain to catch him but it is like trying to sneak up on a wild turkey, forget it.

I see him every day wandering around the yard and making his way to the donkey barn at night to roost in the high beams. It is a mere 20 feet to his roosting spot.

The CEO says that I need to climb a ladder at night and bag the 50- pound bird while he is sleeping.

Ha, exactly what I said… we don’t have a 20-foot high ladder.

I think it will be more of a lift up in the tractor bucket next time there is a full moon, if I can keep the CEO awake that long. At least it gets dark early now.

So if you see me with a cast, or bruising on my face you will know that I have had a tangle with Petey Peacock, but please don’t ask me how it went.

Here’s to feathers in your hat, Cat.

Recent Posts

Leave a Comment

0