More Shade and a New Perch for My Peafowl
During the hot, hazy, humid days of summer, it's important to ensure all my pets are comfortable and safe outdoors.
My peafowl live in a spacious yard adjacent to my allee of lindens not far from my stable. Recently, the weather has been quite warm with temperatures in the 90s, so I asked the outdoor grounds crew to add more shade near the peafowl coop, where they could enjoy the fresh air with protection from the glaring sun. The crew completed the task and also built them a new perch so they could sit up off the ground and see all that is happening around them.
Enjoy these photos.
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- These peahens are very curious and want to know what is going on in their yard.
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- So does this handsome “blue boy” peacock. He is watching from his spot atop one of several perches already in the yard. This male has started to lose his tail feathers. Males lose their long tail feathers after the breeding season and then grow them back the following year. Mating season runs from February to August.
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- I instructed Chhiring and Dawa to put up some added shade on one side of the coop. Here they are centering the shade cloth on the east side of the structure.
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- This ostentation of peafowl loves to rest behind the coop which is already shaded much of the day, but I wanted to provide another shaded area for them to gather. Peafowl are ground feeders. They do most of their foraging in the early morning and evening. As omnivores, they eat insects, plants, grains and sometimes small creatures.
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- This shade cloth will be a nice addition to the yard while the weather is still quite warm.
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- Chhiring and Dawa secure one side of the cloth to the coop using a pole. Then, they string a cable through the other end, so the shade cloth does not blow in the wind.
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- Next, Chhiring attaches a metal cable clip to the end.
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- And loops it around the horizontal fence support at the back of the enclosure. As you can see, the top of the yard is also protected with monofilament fishing line, so flying predators cannot get in, and the peafowl are safe in their yard.
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- Here is a closer look at the secured cable.
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- On the other side, Chhiring secures the cable from the shade to another cable already installed.
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- And lastly, using pliers, Chhiring tightens it up, so the shade is completely secure.
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- Meanwhile, look at what is happening nearby – this peacock is fanning his tail feathers. No matter the species of peacock, these creatures boast impressive plumage as part of a courtship ritual to attract a female. The peacock also turns in circles showing off his tail. This display is known as “train-rattling.” The breeding season has pretty much ended, so this male will also soon lose his feathers.
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- Here is the shade cloth fully extended. It will offer the most shade in the morning sun, but will provide another nice area for the peafowl to rest.
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- Next, Dawa starts digging a hole under the shade cloth to add another perch for the peafowl. He uses a post hole digger, which is used to dig narrow holes. The tool is jabbed into the ground in the open position and then closed to grab and pull out the soil.
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- Three peahens come over right away. Because most of my peacocks and peahens have been raised here at the farm, they’re all accustomed to the various people and noises.
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- It doesn’t take long to dig the hole deep enough for the post. Dawa makes sure it is at least a foot deep.
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- And then “plants” the first post into the ground.
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- Once it is secure, one of the peahens comes right over to give it a try – I think she likes it. Peafowl are very smart, docile and adaptable birds. They are also quite clever and will come close to all who visit – hoping to get a treat or two.
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- Dawa places the second post into its hole. Once it is level and straight, Dawa backfills the hole with soil.
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- And then chips off notches in the horizontal piece, so it sits on the posts straight and secure.
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- Dawa places the horizontal log onto the perches and checks that it is level. I am so glad the felled trees from the farm can be repurposed for my animals.
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- And adds four-inch screws to make sure it is secure.
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- Here’s our peahen to check it out again – comfortable on the perch and in the shade. Birds also like to nap while roosting. They will enjoy this added spot. In the wild, roosting birds are alerted to any vibrations or noises predators make below them.
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- This hen stays on and watches the cleanup. It will be nice to see all of my peafowl perched here as I drive past their enclosure.
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