Peacock terrorises 92-year-old farmer’s chickens

A 92-year-old farmer in Suffolk found himself in an unexpected predicament after a peacock began harassing his poultry. The incident unfolded near Copdock, where the bird was spotted on Monday. Initially, the peacock seemed to coexist peacefully with the chickens, but its behavior shifted dramatically by the following day.

Farmer Tom, a local figure affectionately known across Suffolk, described how the bird quickly turned aggressive. “On Tuesday morning, he was still here, but when I let the chickens out, he just went loopy,” he said. The peacock launched attacks on the cockerels, separating them from the hens and chasing them relentlessly. Farmer Tom believed the bird was asserting its dominance, yet he managed to contain it and secure it in a pen.

“Sandy’s made lots of phone calls because we were told he was found at the farm over yonder,” Farmer Tom explained. “The outcome of that was yes they did have a peacock there and they do reckon this is the [same] one. He turned up there unannounced and they were pleased to get rid of him.”

Farmer Tom’s wife, Sandy Walne, sought help from a friend to spread the word on social media, hoping to locate the peacock’s owner. Despite the efforts, no one claimed responsibility. Easton Farm Park, located near Woodbridge, temporarily took the bird to alleviate the situation. The couple’s friend posted a message on Facebook, but no leads emerged.

“He thinks he rules the roost,” Sandy added. “He chases the cockerel all over everywhere so we’ve had to shut him up.”

Farmer Tom expressed mixed feelings about the peacock’s presence. “He’s a nice looking bird and it’d be nice to say, ‘Well I’ve got a peacock down there on my land,’ especially when I come here, sit and watch the chickens, and the wild birds,” he remarked. However, the bird’s disruptive behavior meant it had to be relocated. The peacock was taken to Easton Farm Park on Thursday, where it will remain if it calms down.

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