Conference 7.286::pet_birds

245.0. "Unusual Pets" by HDLITE::FEASE (Andrea Midtmoen Fease) Thu Aug 31 1989 14:21

    Hi,
    
         I was just curious if there is anyone out there who has turkeys,
    pheasants and/or quail as "pets".  I call them pets in quotes as we 
    bring these birds to our weekend place on an island in RI and allow 
    them to roam free (we do have propagation permits from the state of 
    RI for this, as they are good tick and mosquito controllers).  The
    island has a total hunting ban, so these birds are not for eating or
    trophies.
    
         The turkeys are bronze domestic, which means they are like white
    turkeys except that they are dark brown in color and roost in trees. 
    They are similar to wild turkeys except they are domesticated and legal 
    to raise/transport.  These birds will come up to you if you throw them some
    food and follow you around (at their mood) to see what you are doing. 
    We've had them sit right next to our generator as we start it up (kind
    of noisy) and not blink an eye.
    
         The quail are bobwhite quail which we are trying to re-introduce. 
    Quail used to be prevalent on the island, but have died out (or flown
    away) for some unknown reason.
    
         As for pheasants, we have ring-neck, golden and lady amhearst. 
    The golden and lady amhearst are a variety of colors and look something
    like parrots.  The ring-necks used to be prevalent; I think we only
    have one or two native ones left.  The colored ones are more people
    oriented; one person has trained one to come into his house!  And they
    are so funny to watch when running with their l-o-n-g legs!
    
         Just thought you "birders" might be interested to read about our
    "RI family" (at home we have cats as family).  I never thought I'd be
    interested in birds, but after having the turkeys around and getting
    attached to them, and then having to nurse a sick pheasant for two
    months, I was hooked!  I guess love for animals shows whether it's for
    the four-legged or winged variety!
    
                                      - Andrea
     

    
    	RE: 1
    
    	I don't have any birds.. but I have always loved them.  They
    	HATE me however.. heh-heh-heh... The last bird I held drew
    	blood and I guess I am a bit afraid of them now.
    
    	BUT!!  I used to live in Dunstable Mass and there was a family
    	that had Peacocks and they were really beautiful to watch! 	
    	She had 4 pairs and they just roamed around her property.  They
    	roosted in trees and would roam in and out of her barn.  I worked
    	for a Vet and we went to give her horse their spring shots and
    	I found one of the cocks with a broken leg.  We ended up putting
    	it in a cast..  
    
    	I would LOVE to get a pair of Peacocks... we have over 300 
    	acres behind/around us so I think it would be a good home for
    	a pair but I have no idea of the housing requirements or even
    	feeding...  Does anyone have any info on Peacocks?  I guess
    	they can handle the cold somewhat seeing that the Dunstable
    	peacocks were out all the time when not strutting thru her 
    	barn..
    
    	Oh well.... I can dream.
    
    		Susan

    Hi Susan,
    
         The breeder I get my turkeys/pheasants from has peacocks. 
    They aren't any good for us as they have to be brought indoors during
    the winter (specifically so they don't get ice on their tails, or
    they won't be able to move), but if you have a nice barn/shelter
    for them, they should be okay.  The island where we have our birds
    is really a summer-residence island only; many weekends during the
    winter we are the only ones on the island (how's *that* for privacy
    ;-) !).  So during the week there would be no one to herd the peacocks
    in during a storm, and we would feel awful penning them during the
    week, in case a hunter or ferret came along ...
    
         If you're interested, send me mail and I will give you his
    name/address.  You could tell him I sent you ...
    
                                        - Andrea
    

    I have an Eagle Owl!
    
    Andy.