Guinea talk.

[pattyhen]

I wish I had some bigger dogs like that who would help keep predators away, but I'm afraid if I got one, it would chase the Guineas. Right now I have a miniature dachshund. Although he THINKS he is a giant terrifying dog, no one is scared of him, including the Guineas. About 4 years ago, I got my first guinea keets. I had them inside the house and the door to the room they were in didn't shut all the way. My dachshund snuck in and killed every single keet! I was so upset!!! I finally got more keets and was more careful so they have made it to adulthood and have multiplied many times over. But I think bad karma has come back to bite the dachshund, though. My Guineas hate him and chase after him yelling and hissing so he is scared to death of them. It's like word has gotten out in the guinea world about his terrible crimes and they are getting revenge!

Karma has come back to haunt your dachshund. That is so strange they do sound like they know what he did and make sure he is not going to harm any other guineas. Sometimes my guineas will peck at the dogs like they are hunting for bugs. The dogs don't mind it at all. I am thankfull they all get along.

 

[pattyhen]

Pattyhen my ducks are what we call the mob in my yard. They run things and it's so funny to watch then all interact. I have a group of 4 silkie roosters that we call ninja's. I have rescued a bunch of my flock. I hate to see people get animals without realizing how much work they are. I have heard that the neighbors tell people that I treat my birds like children so that's why I have acquired so many.
I'm glad to hear we are practically neighbors. Lol!!

Bless your heart for rescuing the birds you have. Thats funny that your ducks are the mob in your yard. My chickens pretty much boss the ducks around. The guineas like to play chase with the ducks at times. I think the guineas like to tease. Your ninja silkies do they know kung fu? Mary Jane my guinea hen used a few kun fu move on Spiderman and straightened him out real fast.

We are neighbors. I'm about as close to Kentucky as we can get without living there.

Good nite all. I hope my internet stays connected.

 

[fancychick1]

I am happy to announce that sonny and Cher went in the coop behind the rest of the chickens tonight. I didn't have to train them just let them copy the rest of my flock.

 

[pattyhen]

Thats great news that your guinea went in on their own. The chickens are a good influence.

 

[GlennLee]

Great progress, Fancychick2! They are making themselves right at home and have bonded with their new flock! Hoorah!

 

[GlennLee]

Are there more then 1 type of guinea hen? Here is where I live.....

Yes, there are several different species of guinea fowl. This link gives more information on that. http://raising-guineas.com/guineabreeds.html

I think everyone currently posting on this thread have the domesticated helmeted guinea fowl - and there are many color varieties available. That's why you'll see similar body shapes and features on our guineas, but a variety of shades, coloring and spots (pearling) or lack of spots, in some of the pictures we post.

Here's a link to some colors. http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/colors/

Enjoy! Guineas are like eating potato chips, once you start with them, you can't stop!

 

[pattyhen]

Thank you Rhonda for the site with the different colored guineas. I had no idea there were that many colors. If I didn't live in the city I would like two of each color. Your right their like potatoe chips.

 

[GlennLee]

The color variety is amazing. I can see why Sun loved her Purple so much - they really look almost black - and then D has what I think is that beautiful Bronze beauty! It does make you want to get more. I went on-line to search and found that there are some mail order places that specialize in a variety of colors. I've even found one that sells Lavender French Guineas! Since you are in the city, Patty do you have a limit on the number of birds they will allow you to keep?

Not sure if I mentioned, but we I am having problems with 3 big bullies not wanting to let the little ones get up to roost. I was watching them and realized they sort of pace the upper roost and then peck down at them, so I thought if I can prevent the pacing it might help. I attached a stool (upside down) to the roost with a bungee cord that took off about 1/3 of the length and it seems to be helping. I have to say, I can't say as I blame the big guys, the little ones are annoying and they just don't get it! They are fun to watch and very outgoing though, so that makes up for some of their annoying behaviors - like their noise level.

Dark and dreary days here lately.... we are getting a cold front in again so there will be a mix of precipitation. Sometimes I keep them in for the day if they are just going to get soaked and then not have the means to warm up and dry off. I plugged in the heated dog watering bowl, just to get ready. I'm not sure if they've made the connection that it's theirs yet. It sometimes takes a while.

Creeping up on the end of the week. Hope everyone is well in guinea land!

 

[pattyhen]

I haven't asked about the quota of birds we can have. I'm sure we are over the limit now.

It sounds like someone is going to be getting some lavender guineas this spring. They are absolutely gorgeous. I like the all white ones too. They would look so pretty running around the yard.

I'm glad you stopped the bullies from getting the others. I don't know how you ever thought of the stool and the bungee cord. lol Necessity if the mother of invention.

It's cold here this morning down in the 20s and going up to 44 today. We have the plug in water bowls too. The ducks drink lots of water and they have to have it all the time.

I hope everyone has a nice day and Spiderman and Mary Jane send their love.

 

[GlennLee]

Best not to ask, Patty! It's great that you are able to have them. I don't think we could have guineas if we were still living in the village. Maybe chickens.... I would love to get some Jumbo Lavenders. I'll have to see how my hatching plans go first. If that's real successful, I may not have any additional room, but since I've had my guineas and have been talking them up, I've got a list going of people who want my keets! They're impressed with the temperment of the flock and are interested in trying some of their own. As we know - it's all in the amount of time spent with them - especially when they are young.

I'm still not sure about that bullying behavior, but I'll try my best to keep it under control! We'll have to put in something more permanent, but I didn't want to have my husband work on that project until I knew sectioning the roost off was going to work. BTW - bungee cords are my version of duck tape - I can use them for EVERYTHING!

Wow! You are getting a bit nippy there! Are you serving tea and crumpets in the coop? I'm still watching the temperatures, but it hasn't been cold enough to start the heater. I have to get them acclimated to the cold, but certainly won't let them get too cold. I'm going to start up some fermented food for them and I may add some sprouts and tuna when there's snow on the ground and they can't get to the grass. I joined a free range turkey thread to get some info in preparation for my neighbor's heritage turkey flock. They talked about how their turkeys love fish - tuna and goldfish! I figured what's good for the turkeys is good for the guineas! I think the boost in protein and extra greens will help their diet for the winter. I do keep an alfalfa bale in the barn and they pull on that every now and then.

Our love to Spider and Mary Jane. They are just the cutest couple. Do they have plans for New Year's Eve yet? Too bad you couldn't photo shop a tux on Spider and a gown and tiara on Mary Jane, plus a couple of champagne glasses and confetti. That would be a cute shot. Maybe Guineapeeps could help! Ha!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!