If you’ve been following the trials and tribulations of our peacocks, we’re happy to report that things are finally looking up.
It all began back in March when a nearby estate urgently needed to rehome over two dozen peafowl. We thought peacocks would be a charming addition to the hotel, so we quickly built a pen to help them acclimatise (they need about 8–10 weeks to settle). Unfortunately, our new residents had other ideas—one escaped within 10 minutes, and by the next morning, all four were wandering the grounds!
Following roof repairs and several rescue missions (including quite a few visits to neighbours), we managed to recapture one of the birds, with the others quite happily exploring the local area. We named him Solo after a character from an Apple TV series, and he did seem a little lonely. So we found him some friends: two juvenile males and a female, who we named Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Naturally, curiosity got the better of them, and they soon ventured further afield. Harry, Ron, and Hermione generally stuck together and even returned to the pen on their own. We were delighted as they clearly felt safe and at home. Unfortunately, just as we were preparing to shut the door for the night to keep out foxes, disaster struck. A dog (he who must not be named) slipped in. Harry lost a few feathers, and the group fled to the trees for a two-day sulk.
Not to be deterred, we upgraded their space—adding tree perches, a larger run, and an open top wall so they could fly up into the trees. This partially worked, but each time they flew down from the trees, they landed outside the pen, and we would find them running around the outside, trying to get back in.
Finally, we hit upon the idea of a couple of perches just above the fencing, to give them something to jump onto. Hermione quickly mastered the new perches, Harry followed, and even Solo is getting the hang of it—with the occasional helping hand.
It’s been nearly six weeks since Liberation Day, and we’re thrilled with their routine. After breakfast, they now spend their days sunbathing, preening, and asserting their place in the pecking order with local ducks and magpies. Even the neighbourhood cats, who at one point thought they might add “Peacock” to their CVs, have now come to accept them.
We still hear Ron calling from the woods and occasionally get sightings of the original escapees. With autumn on the way, we’re hopeful they’ll come home. Next year, we may even get some eggs, and who knows, maybe some pea-chicks!
