You know, we had 16 guineas all winter and spring and then 3 weeks ago we lost our first one to a predator (presumed canine) and I knew we lost another one a couple nights ago so I counted them when they went to roost and there were only 10. I knew one hen was on a nest, and we could protect her a bit with fencing, but if any others were on nests, they were predator snacks.
I told my husband, you know, I'm kind of tired of the guineas. They are a lot of poop and work and poop and expense and poop and road hazard and poop for their benefit, maybe we should just send those last few to freezer camp this winter.
And then guess what shows up in the field today?
![IMG_2289[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2289-1-jpg.1091313/ "IMG_2289[1].JPG")
Surprise! Someone managed to sit for 4 weeks and escape notice of predators that whole time.
So we got out the netting and caught mama and chased the keets out of the trees and tall grass and caught them too.
![IMG_2290[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2290-1-jpg.1091316/ "IMG_2290[1].JPG")
And then we are getting the chicken tractor set up for them and what do I find, but hiding under the pile of tin we shade the tractor with, there is my other pearl grey guinea hen, sitting on her nest. Another hen on a nest!
So we got mama guinea all settled.
![IMG_2292[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2292-1-jpg.1091329/ "IMG_2292[1].JPG")
She isn't too happy about this pen, but at least people are (sort of) leaving her and her babies alone. Papa guinea doesn't like it either, but at least he can see her. He sits outside the door.
![IMG_2296[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2296-1-jpg.1091330/ "IMG_2296[1].JPG")
"Leave my babies alone. I WILL BITE YOU!"
![IMG_2307[1].JPG](https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2307-1-jpg.1091332/ "IMG_2307[1].JPG")
So we went from 10 guineas heading to freezer camp to 12 guineas, 23 keets (going to live with a friend tomorrow), and potentially another 4 dozen keets on the way.
Perhaps I will keep the feather brains around for another year.
I told my husband, you know, I'm kind of tired of the guineas. They are a lot of poop and work and poop and expense and poop and road hazard and poop for their benefit, maybe we should just send those last few to freezer camp this winter.
And then guess what shows up in the field today?
Surprise! Someone managed to sit for 4 weeks and escape notice of predators that whole time.
So we got out the netting and caught mama and chased the keets out of the trees and tall grass and caught them too.
And then we are getting the chicken tractor set up for them and what do I find, but hiding under the pile of tin we shade the tractor with, there is my other pearl grey guinea hen, sitting on her nest. Another hen on a nest!
So we got mama guinea all settled.
She isn't too happy about this pen, but at least people are (sort of) leaving her and her babies alone. Papa guinea doesn't like it either, but at least he can see her. He sits outside the door.
"Leave my babies alone. I WILL BITE YOU!"
So we went from 10 guineas heading to freezer camp to 12 guineas, 23 keets (going to live with a friend tomorrow), and potentially another 4 dozen keets on the way.
Perhaps I will keep the feather brains around for another year.
But that's not what I wanted to hear! Any number of other ways this could have gone, if I didn't find the nest or decided not to look tonight... but I did... and now I know she left early... Sigh.
