Proud peacock shows off brood at Powis Castle

But over the weekend two of the chicks disappeared – amid fears that birds of prey have been taking advantage of the mother peahen's questionable parenting skills.

Ruth Scutter, from Powis Castle, said the chicks hatched on June 12 but the mum had been having trouble looking after them all.

"We don't know what happened to them," she said.

"They're quite well protected from foxes because the garden's fenced off, but they do get attacked by birds of prey.

"We do what we can, but I think four was too many for her to look after. Two is probably the ideal number now because they can run and hide underneath her if there's danger. The mum can look after two quite well.

"They make the worst mothers ever, do peahens. Last week we came across the mum and two babies in the courtyard and one of the babies was on the lawn and she'd just left it there. We had to chase the chick and catch it to take it back to mum."

The chicks have been fathered by Alan, the resident dominant peacock. The castle has another peacock, Perry, and four peahens, none of which have names.

One of the hens was born last year and was the only chick to survive to adulthood.

Ms Scutter said the mum may not be a good mother, but she likes to show off her brood.

She said: "They parade around the courtyard among the visitors and are quite at home around people."

This year the birds laid five eggs, but only four hatched.

Peacocks usually lay between four and eight eggs, which are incubated for about a month.

If the chicks are male, it will take about three years before their magnificent plumage grows in. The birds can live for up to 20 years.