It's a good thing they don't mind the wind. We have a lot of that here. Had to put on a metal roof (looks like asphalt shingles) on a section of our house since the wind kept blowing off the regular shingles. I wondered if the wind would cause them to also move uphill (like Henry) to seek some shelter? Good to know they don't mind it.
I'm inserting pictures in celebration of five weeks arrival today. They just keep getting bigger and bigger. By the time they get into the coop (utility shed at this point) I'm going to have to transition
them in 3 adjoining crates. That's the thing with the keets - everything you do keeps getting bigger!
Patti - The four I moved out due to the injury are back in with the rest of the flock - everyone has been safe since "Damien" has been isolated - so I now have 15 between the two crates. They travel back and forth to eat and roost and are flying a bit from one end to the other. In another week, it should be warm enough to make their move to the coop / shed.
Turkey parent - I have handled mine (5 weeks) some - it's difficult with 16 of them to get in enough time and since they are in a flock, when one gets spooked, they all get spooked. I put the upper part of my body in the crate and stand in there with food. After a time, they will come up and eat out my hand and perch. I have about 6 that are more comfortable doing that than the rest. A few head for the corner to try to escape EVERY time I go near. I'm not sure how guinea fowl compare to turkeys as far as their willingness to be lappers - this is my first time with poultry of any kind. From what I've read and observed some of it depends on how early you get them AND some is their personality - if you can call it that in a bird. Yours are still young and if you have the patience to sit and lure them with food, you might have a chance. In general, they are very independent and more wild. I'll have more to share more with you when I get mine out in the enclosed run and can spend some time with them in a larger area. Mine LOVE meal worms, so if you have any around, that is a great treat for training. Again, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of Mars. Do you have a picture? I'd love to see one. She was a special bird and will always hold a special place - even if you have 100 more lappers.... Good luck with your keets!
I'm inserting pictures in celebration of five weeks arrival today. They just keep getting bigger and bigger. By the time they get into the coop (utility shed at this point) I'm going to have to transition
them in 3 adjoining crates. That's the thing with the keets - everything you do keeps getting bigger!
Patti - The four I moved out due to the injury are back in with the rest of the flock - everyone has been safe since "Damien" has been isolated - so I now have 15 between the two crates. They travel back and forth to eat and roost and are flying a bit from one end to the other. In another week, it should be warm enough to make their move to the coop / shed.
Turkey parent - I have handled mine (5 weeks) some - it's difficult with 16 of them to get in enough time and since they are in a flock, when one gets spooked, they all get spooked. I put the upper part of my body in the crate and stand in there with food. After a time, they will come up and eat out my hand and perch. I have about 6 that are more comfortable doing that than the rest. A few head for the corner to try to escape EVERY time I go near. I'm not sure how guinea fowl compare to turkeys as far as their willingness to be lappers - this is my first time with poultry of any kind. From what I've read and observed some of it depends on how early you get them AND some is their personality - if you can call it that in a bird. Yours are still young and if you have the patience to sit and lure them with food, you might have a chance. In general, they are very independent and more wild. I'll have more to share more with you when I get mine out in the enclosed run and can spend some time with them in a larger area. Mine LOVE meal worms, so if you have any around, that is a great treat for training. Again, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of Mars. Do you have a picture? I'd love to see one. She was a special bird and will always hold a special place - even if you have 100 more lappers.... Good luck with your keets!
