Guinea talk.

[GlennLee]

Used to be that opera singes sang for peanuts, now it's birdseed.

Patty - what a nice photo of the family. Mary Jane and Spiderman just fit right in.

Snow and cold here - getting out the heater for use on Thursday night - it's supposed to get down to single digits then. There's been a lot of time in the coop and thanks to Patty, I have some new games to try. Coring out and hanging apples and suspending a water bottle with holes and filled with treats. I'll see how they do with it. It would provide a bit more stimulation than what they are doing now - running around like banshees pecking and chasing each other. Thought I'd share it with others who may be looking for a winter stimulation activity.

 

[pattyhen]

 

[GlennLee]

They are all those things, yes!

Sadly, my group are still finding their way after the road accident. They are constantly splintering into 2-3 groups, whereas before the deaths they were very cohesive. But in other ways the changes seem positive, like that they are hanging around inside the curtilage fence more, more dispersed within it, and interacting with the chickens and two pet pigs more as a result. I wouldn't be surprised if the pigs and chickens have expressed their condolences for their loss. Everyone was shocked that day they died.

--V

Very sorry to hear about all your losses... it's difficult for them and tough on you....

 

[pattyhen]

Love the pics pattyhen, I see your ducks in the back what kind are they? I have Pekins.

They are runners and mostly mixed breeds. I had 2 pekins but my last one died last summer. I miss him so much, he was a sweetheart.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Giving an update.
I noticed they started attacking Delta again, but the Turkeys break it up. Also the eggs being laid now are from my Brahma Cochin mix who lays down for me when I walk into the coop.

Today was a new additive treat in ir normal feed mix.
I normally make them quick oats or rice along with their normal feed, which gets soaked to expand and last longer. Well today I made elbow macaroni instead of rice because I am out and everyone but delta and anya my brown chicken liked it. Picky little kids.

And everyone is still on lock down as when we had them out last week while we hung a panel for the outdoor run (we are falling behind) had everyone in separate boxes and a trampoline frame was just set up that we got for free to turn into a duck outdoor run, and while I had my back turned a large rth was sitting on the framework of the trampoline like he owned it, sent the guineas screaming chickens his in their dust holes and the ducks piled together in the A-frame, turkeys had gone in the coop on their own just minutes before mister predator showed up. What a chaos.

 

[pattyhen]

Used to be that opera singes sang for peanuts, now it's birdseed.

Patty - what a nice photo of the family. Mary Jane and Spiderman just fit right in.

Snow and cold here - getting out the heater for use on Thursday night - it's supposed to get down to single digits then. There's been a lot of time in the coop and thanks to Patty, I have some new games to try. Coring out and hanging apples and suspending a water bottle with holes and filled with treats. I'll see how they do with it. It would provide a bit more stimulation than what they are doing now - running around like banshees pecking and chasing each other. Thought I'd share it with others who may be looking for a winter stimulation activity.

Thanks Rhonda, Spiderman and Mary Jane fit right in with the pack.

I hope they enjoy their new play things and leave each other alone. That gives them something to peck at instead of each other. Mary Jane could teach them a few of the kung fu moves she uses with Spider. It calms him right down.

I hope the heater keeps everyone warm I've been running mine when it gets below freezing. Mary Jane and Spider are the closest to the heater they love sitting on the table beside it. No one dares to move them out of their spot either.

Have a great day and stay warm.

 

[pattyhen]

Giving an update.
I noticed they started attacking Delta again, but the Turkeys break it up. Also the eggs being laid now are from my Brahma Cochin mix who lays down for me when I walk into the coop.

Today was a new additive treat in ir normal feed mix.
I normally make them quick oats or rice along with their normal feed, which gets soaked to expand and last longer. Well today I made elbow macaroni instead of rice because I am out and everyone but delta and anya my brown chicken liked it. Picky little kids.

And everyone is still on lock down as when we had them out last week while we hung a panel for the outdoor run (we are falling behind) had everyone in separate boxes and a trampoline frame was just set up that we got for free to turn into a duck outdoor run, and while I had my back turned a large rth was sitting on the framework of the trampoline like he owned it, sent the guineas screaming chickens his in their dust holes and the ducks piled together in the A-frame, turkeys had gone in the coop on their own just minutes before mister predator showed up. What a chaos.

I'm glad the turkeys are breaking up the fights. Somebody needs to sit them straight.

All of my birds love macaroni and they also like spaghetti. Even Spiderman and Mary Jane will eat the pasta. They usually turn their beaks up at treats but these are the two they enjoy too.

I hope everyone remains safe in your neck of the woods. That hawk was really brave to come down close to you. I can't stand hawks I wish they would just eat mice or something and leave the birds alone.

Have a great day and stay warm.

 

[Victoria-nola]

That is sweet Victoria that your guineas are interacting with the chickens and the pigs now. They could be excepting their condolences and see them as friends now. I know they are much smarter then anyone give them credit for. My guineas do not want to go back in the coop when it starts raining they want to come in the house and get dried off with towels.

I love my guineas too and I love sharing their stories and reading everyone elses stories about their guineas. Have a great day.

That's the advantage of only having a small number of guineas-- the hope that you could tame them and have a closer relationship. They are indeed spending more time in the group hanging out, it's cool. Unfortunately, my husb found them doing their old bad behavior of 2/3 of them standing off the road, and 1/3 of them standing IN the road, arguing about where they will go next. He shooed them on, and they didn't go back to the road the rest of the day, but my hope they might have been cured of the behavior is dashed. We just need to keep our ears open for them. We are also going to paint a couple of signs to put each direction on the road where our property begins, with Watch For Guineas and a sillouette of a guinea on them. I'll take pics and share when we get them going. We wanted to make a sign for our farm so this will be a good motivation to get our signs out.

 

[Victoria-nola]

Very sorry to hear about all your losses... it's difficult for them and tough on you....

Thank you!

 

[GlennLee]

Giving an update.
I noticed they started attacking Delta again, but the Turkeys break it up. Also the eggs being laid now are from my Brahma Cochin mix who lays down for me when I walk into the coop.

Today was a new additive treat in ir normal feed mix.
I normally make them quick oats or rice along with their normal feed, which gets soaked to expand and last longer. Well today I made elbow macaroni instead of rice because I am out and everyone but delta and anya my brown chicken liked it. Picky little kids.

And everyone is still on lock down as when we had them out last week while we hung a panel for the outdoor run (we are falling behind) had everyone in separate boxes and a trampoline frame was just set up that we got for free to turn into a duck outdoor run, and while I had my back turned a large rth was sitting on the framework of the trampoline like he owned it, sent the guineas screaming chickens his in their dust holes and the ducks piled together in the A-frame, turkeys had gone in the coop on their own just minutes before mister predator showed up. What a chaos.

Gosh... it sounds like you're running a military base there - breaking up fights, putting them in solitary, war (predator) drills, push ups (Brahma Chochin laying down) and pasta (in place of potatoes). I think we all feel your pain and share in your success (finally being able to hang up the outdoor run panel). It's a good thing you come to this thread for therapy!