[Ruth Cross]

My office is a large old country estate house in a quite village, a few months ago a stray Peahen took up home in ours and the neighbours' garden.

Our office and the local residents tried everything to trace its owners and nobody (RSPB,RSPCA, police, local council etc) have any power to remove it.

She seems very happy and thriving, but I'm just getting worried about how she will cope in the winter. Does anyone have any advice about how we might help her cope with the winter?

[Bodger]

They are very hardy birds. She will find shelter and food. A bit of feeding might assist her. Does she seem happy and healthy ?

[Ruth Cross]

Yes, she seems fine, although sometimes her coat can look a bit poor, but I think thats just when the weathers not great. She's full of confidence and chases the neighbours cat!!

[richyrich7]

As long as she has some where safe to roost so the fox don't get her  

[Lost in France]

Hello,

I have 7 peafowl, two very tame but living free and just roosting at night in a large poplar in the garden. Your peahen will be fine  for the next few months as she will roost out of the foxes range. The only time she will be vulnerable is if/when she starts laying as she will then sit for 5 weeks and hardly leave the nest day/night.  She might get lonely so is likely to wander off early next Spring or she might just "seem" to disappear when actually she may just be nesting. Obviously with no male her eggs will be infertile but she'll still sit. You could be very sneaky and follow her back to the nest if she comes for food, but you'll have to be clever as she'll lead you all round the houses if she thinks you're following!! You'll know if there are any males about as they'll start calling from about March...you won't miss their call!!

If you want to get her tame, she'll love some sunflower seeds and a real treat is grated cheese and grapes!! Feed her at a regular time each day and she''l soon learn!

Unusual for a hen to wander, it's generally the males without a mate! If you feel you want to find her a mate, you could advertise to see whether anyone has a lonely male. As, during nesting, the females are often lost, people end up with lone males so your female should not be difficult to rehome.

Meanwhile, enjoy her company and feel privilidged that she has chosen to stay with you!

If you have any specific concerns, feel free to e mail me.

Good luck!

Judi

[Oliveview]

Our neighbour has around 25 peacocks/peahens  they all rooste in the pine trees at night.  They make good burgular alarms
Pamela (in Spain)