Need a peacock chaser...

[oldernewbie]

After 2 years of trying to be reasonable with the neighbor about his unpenned peacocks, I am about to declare war. They sold the farm, left the peacocks behind, and the new owner is just as stupid as the previous one. “Oh they’re wild animals! We can’t pen them!” There are 9 of them these days as they keep breeding.

I am soooooooooo sick and tired of peafowl poo on my front porch, deck, driveway, and sidewalks. There is no way to keep them off our property other than to shoot them and I feel like that is being unfair to the peacocks.

I have an attorney working with me, but I also realized the other day that having a dog might be an answer. We have been talking about getting one anyway. Would put up an electronic dog fence around the perimeter of the lot and let the dog go to work.

So tell me, what breed of dog should I look for? Smallish, good disposition, but loves to chase is what I need. Not scared of birds. So should I go to the local shelter and ask them for…What? A dog that got turned in because it chased cars??

We live on a low traffic cul de sac, are the world’s best animal caretakers, and would give the dog a great home. And the dog would be doing us a huge service.

Ideas?

[stellaroo]

Jack Russel? I actually don’t know of a dog breed that doesn’t like to chase. I have a GSD, a lab, and a terrier mix and they have formed a committee called Dogs for a Bird Free Yard.
I think that whatever breed you get will solve the problem. The birds won’t want to come in to your yard once they learn that it’s not safe.

[IdahoRider]

I think a Miniature Poodle would work really well. They are super smart and love having a job to do. Actually, my Toy Poodle would do your job nicely as well (except that the peacocks would laugh at his size).

Peacocks can be vicious birds. We have several feral flocks in our area and they have been known to chase hikers, joggers and bikers with the intent to do great bodily harm. Be aware that a dog might get it’s butt kicked by the peacocks.

I would also be worried that a dog with enough drive to continue to go after the birds even if the birds bullied the dog initially would be a dog that would blow through an electronic fence if it hit that barrier in full chase. And then you would have a dog on the wrong side of the “fence”.

Still, all that being said? Think Poodle.
Sheilah

[findeight]

Wouldnt call them “wild animals”, more like abandoned feral types. They were around where I first kept horses, left overs from when they were popular on large estates in the area way back mid century and earlier. when the big properties were broken up into smaller properties, they stayed and multiplied. I can’t stand them and that gosh awful cawing shriek they make is anything but restful.

We had coyotes but they were scared of them, so were most of the neighborhood dogs, even the breeds thought to be brave protectors. They are big birds, not easily chased off and they are territorial and aggressive when not managed properly…like fed and confined.

My first thought is a Jack Russell, unlikely to let these birds bother it. But thise SOBs are big as Canadian Geese. Maybe something in the big bird dog category? I mean a bird dog or retriever designed to handle geese and turkey, not quail and doves. Labrador or Golden maybe, something like that. Not incessant barkers and overall really nice dogs that love having a job and can remember where the fence is.

[BEARCAT]

Too bad you can’t borrow my Aussie!
I tell her to “clear the yard” and she gets rid of the deer! (And by that I don’t mean chasing - she will move them off swiftly and then come right back to me.)

Not that I am recommending that breed as my other Aussie was a chaser.

[rockymouse]

Pellet rifle!
(and get whatever dog you want…but pellet rifle for the birds)

[oldernewbie]

[QUOTE=rockymouse;8438066]
Pellet rifle!
(and get whatever dog you want…but pellet rifle for the birds)[/QUOTE]

We’ve tried that. They are not impressed. Same for firecrackers, car horns, yelling.

The heck of it is… I have a guy who wants them and will catch them. However, he’s got just enough scruples that he won’t take them without the “owner’s” permission. Does not like their kind of gray immigration status! There is also a sanctuary in Indiana that will take them, but I would have to get them there. Someone suggested my horse trailer :eek: and Lord knows I can’t catch them.

An incredibly annoying situation…

[Romany]

Drone?

[hastyreply]

There is a neighborhood in south Austin where the peacocks from a near by eating establishment roam the area and have for 60 years. New neighbor has complained to the city about them. I imagine they weren’t in the city limits 60 years ago. The old neighbors are trying to save them.

Maybe a hunting cat. LOL.

[crosscreeksh]

A Jack Russel or any “stock dog”. Our Kelpie chases EVERY little bird, heron, buzzard…whatever, off our 80 acre farm and electic lines…EVERY day!! He’d just LOVE to chase a peacock!!!

[findeight]

Was thinking of an Aussie as well but some do chase. Lean more towards a Cattle Dog or Queensland Heeler if you go the herding route. They won’t chase it through the fence, they won’t need to. They have that low growly snarl instead of a bark that says they mean business and whatever they are facing down leaves ASAP. If they don’t move, they get charged and nipped and learn to move first next time.

Why don’t you ask the neighbors if they would be interested in placing the birds in a sanctuary or with somebody who wants them and can take better care of them? Better then getting hit by a car, falling victim to a pack of dogs or starving.

As an invasive species, they are not environmentally desireable either, do not help native species and vegetation thrive. You could try that angle with neighbors and local authorities…they have no business where they are currently roaming.

The only way to catch them is to pen then and feed them for awhile, then they will accept your presence and you can get them into a small enough enclosure to get them in some kind of crate. They are not Einsteins but they are way smarter then chickens, that and their size makes them problematic. Too bad they are such pretty things, the males anyway. If they were less obnoxious and messy, they’d be more popular around barns and farmettes.

[oldernewbie]

Things have taken an ugly turn. One of our neighbors has started shooting the birds. I find this pretty distressing - once again animals have to suffer because their owners won’t take care of them. It’s not like I love the darn things, but I sure wouldn’t hurt them. I guess my only consolation is that I did try to find them a home, tried to talk to both the old owner and new owner (through the real estate agent) about penning them up, and practically begged them to be responsible.

And no, it’s not illegal to shoot them.

[bettyk]

Border collie would be PERFECT!!

[wireweiners]

I vote Australian cattle dog or Australian Shepherd. Enough herding drive to chase them away but not as intense as a border collie. I’ve always wanted peacocks but figured the coyotes would get them. They’re rather expensive here.

[toady123]

No thoughts on dog breed, but will mention that if you plan to use invisible fencing the dog, if giving chase, may end up over the line in their haste to chase. So your dog may end up killing their bird in their yard. Then what?

It would appear that there may not be birds for much longer regardless, but something to consider…

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=bettyk;8440096]
Border collie would be PERFECT!![/QUOTE]

That was my thought. They are obsessive herders. Just make sure the dog understands to herd away from your house or you might find the birds penned on your porch with the collie on guard :lol:

A heeler breed might be more appropriate. They chase and drive more than pen and protect.

[talkofthetown]

[QUOTE=oldernewbie;8439331]
Things have taken an ugly turn. One of our neighbors has started shooting the birds. I find this pretty distressing - once again animals have to suffer because their owners won’t take care of them. It’s not like I love the darn things, but I sure wouldn’t hurt them. I guess my only consolation is that I did try to find them a home, tried to talk to both the old owner and new owner (through the real estate agent) about penning them up, and practically begged them to be responsible.

And no, it’s not illegal to shoot them.

[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe try to keep in mind that the chaser dog could have actually caught a peacock and killed/eaten it. Shooting is a much easier end.

Kind of morbid but trying to make you feel better about the shooting.

[oldernewbie]

[QUOTE=toady123;8440460]
No thoughts on dog breed, but will mention that if you plan to use invisible fencing the dog, if giving chase, may end up over the line in their haste to chase. So your dog may end up killing their bird in their yard. Then what?

It would appear that there may not be birds for much longer regardless, but something to consider…[/QUOTE]

Not to worry - their “yard” is a 140 acre farm. Our property borders their back field. So if the dog did happen to off the bird, they wouldn’t see the deed in any case.

I am trying to get the neighbor to hold off any more shooting until my painter’s mother’s friend can get here and trap them. (Don’t you love all the networking that gets done in the country??) At this point I don’t give a rat’s patooty about what the owners think.

Thank you for all the dog ideas. Now I’m trying to rescue the damn peacocks. Sigh.

[Griffyn]

oh the irony of that OP.

[oldernewbie]

Update: neighbor has agreed to stop the killing campaign while I try to find them a home.

If you are in or near Ohio and want a free peacock or two or six, just let me know. I will be more than happy to let you park in our yard and snitch the damn things.

:lol: