Guinea talk.

[pattyhen]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/newair-electric-oil-filled-radiator-heater?cm_vc=-10005

This is the link of what we have. You can find them a lot cheaper then this , I think this is the top of the line heater. It is hot but I haven't had a chicken get a burn from it before. They will stay away from it when they feel the heat. We don't put any type of wire around it. When they start to leak the oil it is time to buy a new one. They do last for quite a few years. I am surprised you haven't put in a fireplace for the guineas.

They could roast marshmellows in the evenings. You have the luckiest guineas to have such a nice coop. Not to many guineas have an air conditioned coop.

 

[GlennLee]

I now only have Thing 2 (the female) as Thing 1 got picked off by a fox this last spring.

How has the predator situation been for folks lately? The hawks have been more prevalent here. We just lost another one and then Lolita was missing and I feared the worst. I walked up and down the road, along the path looking for a body or puff of feathers. I went back in the barn to finish up chores and just sat and watched the flock bemoaning the fact that another one was gone. Then I heard a rustling sound and in a pouf of straw, there was Lolita! I think she had gotten stuck in between the straw bales and finally squirmed enough to dislodge herself. Lots of chuckles watching her circle around the barn with straw on her back and of course a big sigh of relief.

 

[GlennLee]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/newair-electric-oil-filled-radiator-heater?cm_vc=-10005

This is the link of what we have. You can find them a lot cheaper then this , I think this is the top of the line heater. It is hot but I haven't had a chicken get a burn from it before. They will stay away from it when they feel the heat. We don't put any type of wire around it. When they start to leak the oil it is time to buy a new one. They do last for quite a few years. I am surprised you haven't put in a fireplace for the guineas.

They could roast marshmellows in the evenings. You have the luckiest guineas to have such a nice coop. Not to many guineas have an air conditioned coop.

Thanks for sharing, Patty. We do have an extra one of those, so I may try that first as long as you know it works as a safe heat source. We're still pretty warm here for the time of year. I'm always happy when it's a consistent 45 degrees or less - that's when the ticks go dormant. One round of Lyme disease was enough for me and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Good thing we have our guineas to eat up some of those ticks and bugs out there.

 

[GlennLee]

With the time change and shortened days, everybody is up on the roost by 6:00pm or so, which is nice. Why do the guineas keep squawking even after they are all settled in for the night? It isn't pitch black dark yet, but all the birds are peacefully on the perches and Ginnie will be standing up yelling about nothing at all!

In general, my guineas have been VERY noisy since I added the 4 newbies and it is mostly them making the noise. I was thinking they would settle down, they were younger and getting used to their voice, they were new and getting used to the property, but NO they are loud and raucous regular pearl guineas. I'm not going to sound like a very good guinea mama, but I love my Jumbo French Guineas more. They're just quieter, sweeter and calmer. It may be because this was their only home and they weren't transplants like the 4 newbies, but at this point, I don't think so.... Dmontgomery, I do notice them making a lot of noise at night just like you do, BUT they didn't used to do that. Mine are in the barn before sunset. Because I'm back to work for a short interim, my husband gets them in the barn and turns on the lights. When I come home around 5:00 pm, I clean up, switch out their water and feed them. They get about another hour (completely dark by this time) to play tag and dust and then I go down and turn off the lights. But it's dark now and they can't see to get on the roost, so I stand there with a flashlight for about 20 minutes while they jockey for position and go down for the night. They squawk and chat and poke and prod the whole time. I won't clip my bird's wings because they free range and because of the predators, but if I could clip their vocal chords, I'd do it! It's amazing what 3 additional loud females can do to a flock. Annoying as well......

 

[guineapeeps]

How has the predator situation been for folks lately?  The hawks have been more prevalent here.  We just lost another one and then Lolita was missing and I feared the worst.  I walked up and down the road, along the path looking for a body or puff of feathers.  I went back in the barn to finish up chores and just sat and watched the flock bemoaning the fact that another one was gone.  Then I heard a rustling sound and in a pouf of straw, there was Lolita!  I think she had gotten stuck in between the straw bales and finally squirmed enough to dislodge herself.  Lots of chuckles watching her circle around the barn with straw on her back and of course a big sigh of relief. 

The predator situation has been better here in Iowa with the crops harvested. Now fox and coyote can't hide in the corn and grab the unsuspecting Guineas. Plus, the bug population is pretty low now, so they don't wander far to free range anymore. I have seen fox, coyote, and raccoon in our yard at night, but the Guineas are locked up when it gets dark, so they have been safe. I'm going into winter with 12 Guineas this year and hopefully they will all make it through winter without any incident. Hope all is well with everyone else!

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Sounds like a safety box is a good idea.  I have hay bales that I criss-cross stack like Lincoln Logs with an opening and they can get in like a little cave area to hide. A lot of people don't provide any extra heat source and the birds do just fine.  If it's a small area, their body heat will keep it warm - drafts are something to look for and plug up. 

Do you have electricity so that you could put in a heater if necessary?  I've also heard about people using hot water bottles or solar black tubing.  At this point, I'm not providing heat, but am planning on it for a back up if needed. 

You are taking such good care of your birds!  Very brave to do both guineas and chickens at the same time as a newbie!  I could only handle one and if it wasn't for the support of my peeps at BYC, the flock of guineas would have put me over the edge.  I hate to say it, but I think some of what you're seeing is just typical guinea behavior - they are mean to one another and I have to watch for injuries to feet and faces on a daily basis.  Even with a large flock, they sub-divide and there are those in charge and those that get picked on.  The low bird in my original flock, just got picked up by the secondary flock so now she's not the lowest and she's picking on some of the females in that group!  Crazy birds....

They are crazy birds. Our neighbor gave us an old outdoor rabbit breeding box we turned into a safety box/crib for them in the coop. And we have a heat lamp plus a half roll hay bail roll in there from another neighbor who had no use for a small roll for his cow herd. That's in the coop giving them a good foot of deep bedding plus tightly sealed walls and vent windows which I open during the day and close up at night.

And yes I agree brave for both species if not all four we currently own for first time owners, its been a busy road to travel on but honestly through the laughs of the family and the redicule from others I could care less. We are raising for the homeless plus ourselves. Some are precious pets were as some will be donated. I hate to come off that way but to me giving to people and families is just as important as having my own food.

The guineas and chickens last night were all cuddled together watching the turkeys and the turkeys watching them. We did have them out but the air went still a quiet which I've learned means trouble so the flock went to their coops for safety while we raised the outdoor pin by another 10 inches which will be roofed so no aireal predators can snatch them up, we've bought either cattle panels that are being stacked on top of one another for an eight foot high pen with chicken wire ou the outside of the for added protection from fox, weasle, cats etc. Also black bear proof as I am working on getting electric wire for the outside of the for the night time.

 

[pattyhen]

Rhonda you hold the flashlight for 20 minutes so they can get up on their perches.

Those guineas are a little bit spoiled.

I let Spiderman and Mary Jane in today and I felt their feet they were as cold as ice. I let them perch in their chair. Everytime I would go in the other room they would get that machine gun voice going and I would come back in the livingroom and they were as quiet as a mouse. As long as I stayed in the livingroom they were quiet but once I stepped out they would start up again. I think they wanted company so I turned on the hubbies puter and sit with them for a while.

My husbands sister come over yesterday and brought her 2 great grandkids with her. Spiderman and Mary Jane acted like they come to see them. We sit out on the glider in the yard and they stayed right out front by us the whole time. I thought Spiderman was going to jump up on hubbies sisters lap but he didn't. He really acted like he wanted too. The little boy chased the ducks a couple of times and the guineas loved that. They had someone to help them herd the ducks around the yard. When they left Spider and Mary Jane followed the little boy out the gate. I think they wanted to go home with the kids. We had to round them up and get them back inside the fence.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

 

[GlennLee]

Yes, the birds are spoiled and more than a bit! We sure all do have fun laughing about that.... Oh my gosh, I would have loved to seen a picture of Spiderman and Mary Jane hanging out in the living room. Isn't that funny that they gave you their machine gun voice when you left them. They usually save that as their alarm, but maybe it's just a general call out for attention. I'm sure you came running with their fuzzy slippers, tea and scones...

We tried to get some photos of the grandkids in the barn with the guineas, but they aren't used to be invaded by an additional 7 people, so they used their machine gun call which scared Jensen (8 months) and we couldn't get him in the picture. I'm posting his separately, just because it's too cute not to - he has his little plaid shirt on - all ready to work in the barn!



Sunita and Jayan did get in a brief shot with some of the birds in the background. We had an early Thanksgiving celebration since everyone had other plans on the actual day.



Patty - it sounds as though your little visitors enjoyed your birds. There's something about children and animals. They do connect - I wonder if Spider and Mary Jane thought they were one of them, especially when they started chasing the ducks. How the guineas love to chase!

We went to the zoo on Friday and they had a beautiful flock of 11 guineas in with the bison. I think I'll get a few bison to keep the guineas company. Ha! NOT!!! Most of the guineas were pearls, and there were a couple of Pied, then there were some that almost black from far away. I was wondering if it was a royal purple - if so, I can see why Sun was in love with Purple. They are stunning! I was happy to see a flock at the zoo - it makes me smile.

Snow today and again tomorrow. I've kept the guineas in since it's quite blustery. When the wind calms down and they can get out, I'll send along some snow pics. Tis the season! Happy Monday everyone!

 

[pattyhen]

Jenson is a cutie. Love those big blue eyes. He was ready to clean the barn with his little flannel shirt on. It looks like Sunita and Jayan had a nice time in the coop with the guineas. Your coop is so huge I wish we had all that space. I'm glad you got to visit with your family they all look so happy.

I'm sure the guineas would like a couple of bison to hang out with. They wouldn't take up to much room.

I was surprised the guinea hung out with me and my husbands sister and the kids all day. I think they are a little possive about the glider. When the little boy started chasing the ducks that was their cue to help him herd them around. They had found a friend.

Here is a pic of Aubree my great granddaughter she had them taken for her 2nd birthday. The lady that took the pics said she was the best toddler she has ever taken pics of. Aubree loves to have her pic taken and poses for the camera.

Have a great day and I hope you don't get to much snow. Let me know how the guineas liked it. I don't think Mary Jane and Spider are going to like the ground covered with all that white stuff. Thanks so much for sharing the pics you have a beautiful family.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

I have some good news, the Turkeys have accepted the Guineas and Chickens in the coop. I am thrilled specially with the terrible wind and cold front that hit us this week. Our crib idea in the coop has helped them and I now have it open 24/7 so they can escape from the turks if they need to. They have stopped chasing Delta and now are all laying together and even eating together.