There may come a time when you need to catch or transport peafowl. Here we’ve detailed the safest way to do this with minimal stress to all.
Safe and Humane Bird Capture Instructions
First and foremost, you are never going to catch a bird until it is safely confined.
Designate a secure area such as a garage, shed, or dog pen. Place food inside and, if space allows, introduce a perch. Be patient and let the bird become accustomed to entering this new enclosure. Rushing the process will make the bird reluctant to return.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Tools
Prepare a large coat, thick blanket, or large net (such as a fish landing net). These will help you immobilize the bird safely once it is confined.
Step 3: Safe Capture Technique
- Confine the Bird: Ensure the bird is safely inside the designated area before attempting to capture it.
- Immobilize the Bird: Gently cover the bird’s head and back with your coat, blanket, or net. This will help calm and immobilize the bird.
- Secure the Legs: While the bird is still on the ground, carefully grasp both legs with one hand. This prevents scratches and keeps the bird from escaping.
Handling Tips
- Firm Grip: Only pick up peafowl once you have a firm grip on their lower legs. The birds won’t attack you, but they will try to escape by pushing away with their feet and wings.
- Safety Precautions: Holding onto both legs firmly is crucial. If you release one leg, the bird may spin in your hand, leading to potential injury for the bird and yourself. An instinctive tight grip can result in the bird breaking its leg in an effort to get away.
By following these steps, you can safely and humanely capture free-ranging birds, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the process. This methodical approach will help maintain the health and quality of the birds, which is essential for your business.
Tips for Minimising Stress on Transport
Transport the bird in a cardboard box just slightly larger than its body. A box rather than, for example, a dog crate is recommended as the relative darkness minimises stress. If the bird has a train cut a hole in one end of the box to allow for it. A piece of carpet or hardboard in the bottom will give the box strength. Sawdust or shavings will help soak up droppings from the bird. These can be very watery which in turn will weaken the bottom of the box. Keep the bird cool and make air holes on the sides and top of the box.
Plan to release a bird into its new pen in daylight. Ensure that water and food are already available. Avoid simply opening the box – the bird will likely fly upward and risk injury. Instead, gently roll the box onto its side and open the top. This will allow the bird to focus on righting itself while you leave the pen. Give the bird time to explore and settle into its new surroundings.
Guide to Enclosing Free-Ranging Peafowl That You Want to Catch.
Introduction
Capturing free-ranging peafowl requires a methodical and humane approach. This guide will help you create a comfortable environment for the birds, ensuring their safety and ease during the capture process.
Preparation Phase
1. Choose the Right Location
- Select a spacious shed or garage that provides ample room for the peafowl to move around freely.
- Ensure the structure has sufficient ventilation and natural light to keep the peafowl comfortable, so they can feed and not feel the need to leave as soon as they’ve fed.
2. Prepare the Interior
- Install a sturdy perch to encourage the birds to rest in there after feeding. This gives time for other birds to come and feed while some are resting, thus capturing more birds at one time.
- Place food you know they like and water inside to encourage them to use the area.
- Bedding is not needed because the birds are only there short term, we hope!
3. Make the Space Inviting
- Initially, place food outside the structure to attract the peafowl to the vicinity.
- Gradually move the food closer to the entrance over several days.
- Eventually, place the food inside the structure with the door open, allowing the peafowl to explore freely.
Acclimatization Phase
4. Let the Peafowl Get Used to the Structure
- Consistently replenish food and water inside the structure to create a routine.
- Having that perch in the building gives them a reason to go in other than food, like shelter from rain.
- Allow the peafowl to come and go freely, building their confidence in entering the structure.
5. Use Weather to Your Advantage
- On rainy days, peafowl seek shelter. Ensure ample food inside the structure to encourage them to stay longer during inclement weather.
Capture Phase
6. Plan the Capture
- Observe the peafowl’s behavior to identify when most are inside feeding or roosting.
- Use a remote mechanism to close the door quietly and without alarming the birds. This can be a string on the door to pull it closed. Only needs to be there the day you are going to close the door on the birds.
7. Execute the Capture
- Close the door when the majority of peafowl are inside.
- Move calmly and avoid sudden movements to prevent startling the birds.
Post-Capture Phase
8. Handling and Relocation
- Handle the peafowl gently, using proper techniques to minimize stress (see top of this page).
- If relocating, use spacious carriers to ensure the birds’ comfort and safety during transport.
9. Clean and Reset
- Thoroughly clean up any feathers in the structure and reset the environment for any remaining peafowl.
- Repeat the process as necessary to capture all the birds.
It is easier and quicker to get them all at once than keep catching single birds, but if you do go for single birds, make sure other birds don’t see you closing the door then hearing the noise of the bird being netted and boxed. While it can’t tell other birds, it may be reluctant to go in the future and this nervousness can be picked up by other birds in the group.
Additional Tips
- Consistency: Maintain regular feeding times. Often best done with no birds around if they aren’t used to being fed by you. If they are used to getting food from you, then seeing you put food in there will bring them in for what you’ve left them.
- Patience: This process can take several days to weeks. Rushing will likely scare the birds away.
- Safety: Always prioritize the safety and well-being of the peafowl during all phases of capture.
By following this detailed guide, you can humanely and effectively capture free-ranging peafowl, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the process. This methodical approach will help maintain the health and quality of the birds, which is essential for your business.