Guinea talk.

[pattyhen]

Thanks Clay about the spurs. My guineas scared me to death a litle while ago. I went out to feed everyone and I couldn't find them. I thought I heard them when I first went out then I didn't hear anything. I searched the yard and the no guineas. I searched the chicken coop then I walked by the duck coop and I heard them calling. They were looking out the window of the duck coop. They went inside and I guess they couldn't find their way out. I was so happy to find them.

 

[pattyhen]

Here are some pics of Mary Jane and Spiderman

 

[GlennLee]

Very scary to loose them, Patty. Henry escaped for an overnight. We found him roaming across the road above our house, but couldn't get him to come back - we had only had him a couple of days and he hadn't yet bonded with his coop. The next morning it took 4 hours with 5 people and 2 dogs to herd him into an area with chickens and once he had settled in, my savvy chicken neighbor got him bagged and brought him back. It sounds like yours have at least imprinted on where their home is, so fingers crossed they won't wander too far.

 

[GlennLee]

Oh Clay, so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. Very sad news. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

 

[GlennLee]

Well.. to be honest with you... we had selected names (as a joke) like Rose, Ted, (Roasted), Bro, Sted (Broasted), etc. because we weren't planning to keep them all year round and were going to have them butchered at the end of the garden season. I bought them with the sole purpose of eating bugs and ticks and then in turn eating them as meat like chickens.

I contracted Lyme disease twice last year and that was my main motivation for getting the flock. But, we have since changed that plan. Given the amount of time working with the keets to get them to bond and trained to respond to a bell, plus by the time they are ready to free range, we lose 4 months of tick eating, - and now I am in love with them - we have decided to keep them year round. (I can feel you both cringing at the thought of eating them and then taking a big sigh of relief when you got to the end of my sentence).

Now we are shopping for a larger shed and working to get electricity to it for the next round of brooding. I will keep you posted on that project!

So, back to the names, I can't tell male from female yet and although they don't all look alike, they move so quickly, it's hard to keep the 16 of them as individuals in my mind. Hopefully, we'll get there. They certainly have different personalities. I have about 6-8 of them who seek out my hand with food and to perch. The rest scurry and try to get out the box.

We named Henry, just because we needed something to call him.

 

[pattyhen]

I am so happy you are going to keep them year round. I did cringe until I read the last sentence. You can't help bonding with them they are so cute.

You have a great neighbor to help you catch Henry. I bet he was glad to get back home after all the excitement of that catch.

From what all I've read you have tick eatting machines there. I hope they do their job well for you. That lyme disease is so serious.

I would love to see your new shed when you get it done. I've read that they like to perch high up so make the shed tall.

 

[pattyhen]

Here is a pic of my husband and Spiderman on his back. He jumped up there by himself. I was so glad we were able to catch this moment.

 

[pattyhen]

Clay how are you doing? Just checking to make sure your ok.

 

[boucher814]

Clay how are you doing?  Just checking to make sure your ok.

I am doing better patty had the funeral. My Guinea needs to be nicer

 

[pattyhen]

I'm glad your ok Clay I know how hard it is to go threw a death. Madison probably wasnt held as a keet. Just spend some time with her and give her treats and she'll probably come around for you. Take care of yourself.