By Elizabeth Hunter via SWNS
A peacock injured in a brutal attack by yobs has become a father to four chicks – with an albino mom.
Louis, an Indian Blue Split White peacock, was severely injured in a brutal attack just two years ago at his home, Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline.
The break-in, carried out by two boys, aged 11 and 13, also saw extensive damage done to the grounds, as well as the torture and killing of another peacock.
After widespread media coverage, a crowdfunding campaign raised a whopping £16k to cover Louis’ vet fees and repairs to the site.
Now, just two years later, a fully recovered Louis has become a father with mate Angel hatching four chicks on May 23.
Volunteer at Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park, Carlyn Cane said: “We didn’t actually think that Louis would be able to have babies.
“Two years ago on Thursday, we were broken into by two little boys, aged 11 and 13.
“They killed our oldest bird – they beat him to death. They also severely injured Louis – they broke his leg, took his scales off to the bone in three places.
“They strangled him and cut his throat with a roof tile – it was awful.
“Louis has the Pied gene, and with Angel being an Indian Blue White, what they’ve actually produced are two Indian Blue Split Whites, one Indian Blue Black Shoulder, and one Indian Blue Pied.
“The Pied means that if it’s a boy, he’ll be blue and white.”
The team’s oldest bird, Andrew, has also had one baby – with mate Zoe hatching two chicks on 14 May.
Sadly, one chick was too weak to leave the egg on its own – and unfortunately, after trips to the vet and care from volunteers, it passed away.
The remaining five chicks will remain with their mothers until they are 12 weeks old – when the team will be able to determine the chicks’ sexes.
“She had two chicks, but sadly, the other chick didn’t make it. We had to assist getting it out of the egg, but unfortunately he was too weak,” said Carlyn.
“We took him to the vet and then took him home, but he sadly passed away.
“We had five babies this year and six babies last year.
“We will cap it at that, we’re not having any more babies this year.
“Both lots of babies will stay with mom until they’re around 12 weeks old, and then that’s when we put moms back out into the park.
“It gets to a point where the moms stop seeing the chicks as her babies, so it can all get a bit much.
“We’ll put all five babies together and then put the moms out, and we’ll take over their care.
“By that point, they’ll know how to feed and how to fly and everything.
“We won’t know whether they’re boys or girls until they’re 12 weeks old!”
