Peahens raised by turkey become best friends of school boy in Kannur

Kannur: With the company of pet birds Chinnu and Minnu, Kuyiloor native Gokul Sudhakar never felt bored during the lockdown days. The beautiful peahens always follow him everywhere he goes.

The birds eat food with Gokul and spend the night on the rubber trees nearby. Both return home at sharp 6.30 am next day. If the door is not open, they knock with their beak and flutter wings. Once they are served the daily share of chicken feed or bananas, they both head to the farm.   

One year ago, these peachicks somehow joined the flock of turkey birds in Gokul’s house. Along with its own poults, the mother turkey bird took care of the two peachicks. Soon the peachicks got acquainted with Gokul and became friends with him. Gokul named them as Chinnu and Minnu. 

Gokul’s father Sudhakaran is a farmer. He rears cattle, pigs and poultry with the support of family including wife Geetha and daughter Swathi. Gokul is a class 9 student.

As the family members are fully aware that domesticating peacocks is unlawful, they do not harm the birds or restrict their free movement in any way, said Sudhakaran’s relative and retired Livestock Inspector Puthalath Narayanan.