Guinea talk.

[GlennLee]

Love your picture....it's really pretty! Although your in a completely different part of the country, it makes me miss the trees, rolling hills, and mountains where I grew up (Washington State). I am in Iowa now. It's so flat that you can see your dog run away for 2 weeks! On the positive side, with hardly any hills or trees, we do have awsome sunsets, as there is nothing to obstruct the view.

I haven't been to Washington State, but I imagine it's a beautiful part of the country and the temperature must be similar to New York since they grow apples there. I visited Iowa once - we have distant relatives in the Des Moines area and really enjoyed the area. I got a chuckle over your description of watching your dog run away for 2 weeks... That's a good one! And along with those sunsets, I'll bet you have some beautiful sun rises as well, plus lots of corn! Pretty time of year and am enjoying it as much as possible. Hope you are able to do the same!

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Ouch!  Sorry to hear about the pecking.  At least you were able to get a good laugh over her antics...... Keep us posted on her progress. 

Thanks, and oh goodness I'm imbarassed over my mistakes. Lol
She didn't break any skin but was definitely displeased with me taking her band off and clipping the broken feathers.

I will need to work with her more.

 

[pattyhen]

Happy Saturday everyone....

Christy & James - It's funny what the birds do to hide or at least they think they are hiding - at times I think I'm dealing with a toddler who thinks if they close their eyes, they will actually disappear! I have seen my birds just form a line and lay down, end to end, when a hawk is above them. I want to tell them, REALLY? You think that's going to save you?

Good to hear that your mix of poultry is getting along. Next year, my neighbor is planning to free range a flock of heritage turkeys. Since I free range my guineas, it will be more like having a shared farm with both turkeys and guineas. I may be checking in with you for ideas. My guess is for the most part, they will keep separate. It will be interesting to watch....

I have maintained my "main" flock (now only 8 out of 16 left) since May. Even when they were keets, there were alliances formed. I noticed pairs who would tend to stick together, comfort and groom one another, roost together, move together. As they got older and were free ranging, I noticed small groups - even though the flock was a cohesive whole, there were actually 2 sub flocks. Those groups were a bit fluid based on the outcome of courting rituals, illness and injuries, and deaths. Every time I lose one, it takes some time for them to re-establish their social ties. Their flock and sub group dynamics change as well as roosting line up.

Before I added my four new ones, hop-a-long Helen was at the bottom of the flock. She sustained an injury (I think from a rose thorn) and when she walks, she hobbles. Then, Lolita had a similar thing happen to her. I added the new ones and for a while, they were at the bottom, but now Helen and Lolita are even below the newbies. What I see in my flock is two sub groups - the four newbies and the two injured (even though they have somewhat recovered, they still aren't up to a very high social status) AND the second group which is made up of 3 males and 3 females. The second group rules and usually the males go after the newbie & injured group. It's not constant, but when they move as a flock or it's time to change locations or come in the barn, the males think it's their job to keep the others in line. Sometimes I bend down, point my finger at them and say, "YOU, YOU, YOU" in a gruff tone to make them stop. I don't know if it does any good, but it makes me feel better. Just so you know, I have always had some of that going on and it used to come from a dominant female as well, but she's now gone by way of coyote. The flock REALLY misses her, and if you were to watch her, you would see she was more "alpha" (not really a bird term, but you can get the gist) than some of the males. That's the problem with losing some of the dominant birds; it really rocks their world until they get their new dominance and social pattern re-established.

So, long story longer.... unfortunately that's the way of the flock and it seems to be more upsetting for us than it is for them. Just watch for any injuries and be ready to separate and treat. I have had to do that a couple of times, but mine have always assimilated back into the flock. Plus they really put up a fuss being separated - I think they just take the literal pecking order as a part of their life. I'd say if it gets really aggressive, you may want to re-home Delta, however, the flock could then chose a new target. I have 5 neighbors who maintain guinea flocks and sometimes, mixing up the flocks between us by adding and subtracting helps.

A related story, but not about guineas - my dog has issues being attacked by other dogs, usually females and I have to be super vigilant when walking her in a public place (especially when some people let their dogs off leash! So aggravating!). She has Horner's Syndrome - one eye is dilated smaller than another. I sometimes wonder if this triggers an attack. Animals don't have tolerance for the unsymmetrical. We can see this and know this about her, but with the guineas, there may be a subtle characteristic that we can't see, but they
pick up on. Just biological imprinting to keep the flock safe and the genetic line strong. That's why they target the sick and weak.

Hope this helps and good luck!


The final burst of autumn here from our October Glory Red Maple tree.

The tree is beautiful, I love the fall but it just doesn't last long enough. I've never heard of Horners syndrome. Thats sad that other dogs pick on her.

The guineas flock dynamics sounds a lot like my ducks. Mine have divided into two seperate clicks as I call it. The little duck that hatched last summer decided to join the other click. He was being picked on by another male in his click. The other click does not fully except him so he kind of hangs out on the outskirts. It's sad to see them being rejected by the others.

The only time Mary Jane and Spiderman have a disagreement is when they first come out of the coop. Spider is like a wild man running here and there and sometimes he bumps chests with Mary Jane. Mary Jane puts up with it for a while then she does the kung fu jump kick on him. That settles him down. I think Spider is hen pecked or should I say guinea pecked.

Have a great day everyone. Nice weather today in the 70s.

 

[pattyhen]

Love your picture....it's really pretty! Although your in a completely different part of the country, it makes me miss the trees, rolling hills, and mountains where I grew up (Washington State). I am in Iowa now. It's so flat that you can see your dog run away for 2 weeks! On the positive side, with hardly any hills or trees, we do have awsome sunsets, as there is nothing to obstruct the view.

Girl you had me laughing my head off here. When your dog runs away you can see him running for 2 weeks. Now that is flat land you have there.

 

[pattyhen]

Thanks, and oh goodness I'm imbarassed over my mistakes. Lol
She didn't break any skin but was definitely displeased with me taking her band off and clipping the broken feathers.

I will need to work with her more.

Have they left her alone now since you took the band off? She must have liked wearing that band and when you took it off that upset her.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Have they left her alone now since you took the band off?  She must have liked wearing that band and when you took it off that upset her.  

Not really Patty, they still chase her. I am also thinking its because the A-frame screen outside pin is getting a little small for them that might be it, so James and I are going to extend it put about three feet more.

She won't eat from a different bowl from them I tried and she weasles in between everybody to eat.

 

[Dmontgomery]

"Nana Beth's Country Farm Day Spa". It's rained a little this week, finally, but it dried out enough today for dirt bathing.

Don't know why they have to pile up in one hole.

Me and Elvis just watched from the porch.

 

[pattyhen]

Cute pics they act like it has to be a whole flock get togeather on the dust baths. Elvis I guess didn't want to get dirty. He is the most unusually colored rooster I have ever seen. He must be a one of a kind just like Elvis.

I wanted to share with you all what Spider and Mary Jane did today. My husband and I got into the car today and of course Spider and Mary Jane were staring at us on the other side of the fence. As we drove away they followed us on the other side of the fence all the way to the end. I had to laugh it was so funny to watch. I really think they wanted to go with us in the car. They always seem to put a smile on your face.

My husband uncle come over to our house today and of course Spider and Mary Jane wanted to come in for their daily visit. His uncle used to have a farm years ago and has never seen a guinea come in the house and make theirselves at home in their chair. Yes they claim one of our chairs. Never a dull moment when you have guineas.

 

[alexa32]

My hen took in my little guinnies

 

[Dmontgomery]

Cute pics they act like it has to be a whole flock get togeather  on the dust baths.  Elvis I guess didn't want to get dirty.  He is the most unusually colored rooster I have ever seen.  He must be a one of a kind just like Elvis.  

I wanted to share with you all what Spider and Mary Jane did today.  My husband and I got into the car today and of course Spider and Mary Jane were staring at us on the other side of the fence.  As we drove away they followed us on the other side of the fence all the way to the end.  I had to laugh it was so funny to watch.  I really think they wanted to go with us in the car.  They always seem to put a smile on your face.  

My husband uncle come over to our house today and of course Spider and Mary Jane wanted to come in for their daily visit.  His uncle used to have a farm years ago and has never seen a guinea come in the house and make theirselves at home in their chair. Yes they claim one of our chairs.  Never a dull moment when you have guineas.  

Elvis got down later on to inspect the hole, but I don't ever remember seeing him dirt bath. I'm sure he does but I guess he is more private about it.
All my birds act like they want to ride on my golf cart. If I drive up and any of them are around, they all come running like little kids trying to catch up to an ice cream truck. When I drive off the guineas chase me, screaming, like "wait, wait, we want to go too".
We have to chase chickens out of the house constantly but the guineas have never tried to go inside. They are friendly than they were initially, but not that brave yet.