peacocks as guard dogs

kandie · **Joined:** Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:14 pm **Posts:** 8

Well Here I am again with another story of a frightened builder. Our kitchen renovations have been prodeeding well. Jack has taken to cat calling the builder and it is quite funny to watch. He hates loud noises like thunder,mowers, quad bike, screaming kids and of late the builders compressor. When the builder is installed in the kitchen and the compressor kicks in Jack makes sure he is positioned under the kitchen window and lets out more noise then the compressor and nail gun put together. He has been abandoned by the girls as they are laying and he even tried to strut his stuff to our little chihuhu. He picks up a stick and displays it followed by some slow creeping motions toward the dog which by this stage is pretty wary of him coming too close. The hens are not very tolerant of the dog and quite often I hear the yelp and then see one of the girls with a big tuft of white dog hair in her mouth. If the peacock is sexually active with the hens does it matter is he is not fully matured with a long train? Do you think the eggs will be viable.?He was given to me and I don't know his true age or history. He does not have large spurs yet and the train is not there, only a short drab affair. He has a beautiful blue/purple neck. He is so quiet that I can reach out and touch him. They hate the wind down here in Tassie I reckon it plays havok with their top knots!!!!
Best go
Thanks for a great site
Kandie.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi Kandie, great to see you back, All Peacocks will call at any loadish noise during the breeding season, its believed to be a territorial reaction and the Peacock will very his cry in accordance with the level of the noise. We always know when someone has arrived at the Property as several of them sound the alarm. Peacocks can be sexually active from 2 years and likewise can be fertile, they don't need a Train to mate or to be fertile. It's unlikely however all the eggs will be fertile infact it may be as little as 10-20% this will depend on his age? and the Peahens receptiveness to him. Peacocks prime breeding age is around 4 -7 years this is when fertility is at its peak and the birds are far more experienced, however it should be noted that Peacocks can and will breed well into their teens and beyond. When he does have a Train, he might become a "Peacock Kite" with the wind in Tassie, you might want to tie a string around one leg!!!! just joking!!!!! we will adapt to the wind.

Good luck with the eggs?

Hope to chat more soon!

Thanks
Peacocks Australia

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