Guinea talk.

[GlennLee]

I hear you! Your not being a baby...I hate doing it too! I have had my guineas rip their nail off as well, so I try to keep up on it, as much as I dislike it. I think you've come up with a great idea for a new profession, though....Guinea Groomer. You could also specialize in chicken clipping, Duck Doo's and Rooster Revitalizing. You could call it Bantam's Bob and Bouffant!

Oh, what wonderful ideas you have!

 

[GlennLee]

Her wound is looking good, I have been putting bacitracin on it daily to prevent infection and so far so good. She was not happy with me grabbing her and bringing her in the house for the photo update but she quickly calmed when she saw James. And yes Zelda has a messy face from feeding just before I grabbed her.
I am hoping to grab some suet cakes tomorrow as my woodpeckers and nuthatches are looking for them, as well as the Guinea squad and chickens.

Looking good - but she still is giving you the stink eye! I was thinking about trying suet cakes for the guineas. I thought it would be a good extra source of calories for the winter. Will have to give that one a try...

 

[GlennLee]

Okay, I've been working with them for a while now - not exactly sure how long, I tried to track it on this thread, but couldn't find my original post about it. I think it's been about a month. We started with bird seed sprinkled on the roost, leading up to the open hand and now I'm able to just hold up my hand, move the hand up to a bird (not all though) and even pet necks and wattles and bodies if they turn around. I think Priscilla (one eating out of my hand) would have even let me pick her up today.

The one on the top roost is a regular domestic. You can see the size difference in this photo. The domestics will come up to about 3 inches of my hand, but so far haven't eaten out of it. Instead, they will drop down on their bellies and stick their necks out to get to the trail of bird seed.





Here is another photo with more birds. They do start to gather around me when I have the bird seed and somewhat tolerate movement of my hand and my body position.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

oh how awesome GlennLee, thats an amazing feat. Mine are starting to do the same thing. I am having an issue with one new girl, I picked up and the others up yesterday to see how they are coming along and noticed the one was really thin compared to the others. I now have her in the house with extra food and she isnt letting up on it. I'm hoping it's not a parasite that is causing it which would mean a full coop clean and parasite treatment for everyone.
Foxy eats like a champ but no meat to show for it. Im planning on giving her a bath to see the full extent and then hold her with a heating pad to warm and dry her.

 

[GlennLee]

Oh you are such a good guinea mom, Christy! That Foxy is one lucky bird.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Lets hope so, she ate her normal breakfast mix this morning and about 1-2 cups more upon coming into the house.

And I feel a bit excited, Charlie my dominant male Guinea decided to let me pick him up for cuddles then a short roost on my arm. But as soon as the camera came out he scuried away

 

[guinealeghorn]

One of my guineas hates to be picked up, but will relax in my arms for hours! None of the others let me touch them unless if they are eating out of my hand. They follow me around in the summer and untie my shoes, though!

 

[pattyhen]

that is great Rhonda you have them eatting out of your hand. It won't be long they will be sitting in your lap. You have entered into their trusting zone.

I think Spiderman and Mary Jane are a little upset because I haven't let them come inside. I have a hen that has an impacted crop and I'm trying to doctor her back to health. I've had this happen several times in the past and I've never had any luck with getting them better. I just hope she pulls threw this. Tonight she went and got in her basket on her own and laid down. At 6 she was zonked out.

The other day Spiderman was playing with a little girl down the street. She was on the sidewalk running along the fence and so Spiderman was inside the fence running along beside her. It was so cute to watch them play togeather. That was so cute to watch. He is a character.

I hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Dmontgomery]

My guineas have been here 6 months and they still will not get close enough to be touched. If I'm walking in the yard or driving the golf cart, they follow me everywhere. They even chase me when I'm mowing the grass. But they won't get within arms length, even to grab a treat.

 

[guinealeghorn]

They usually aren't very affectionate. Mine will follow me around outside, but they shy away when I go to touch them. They will eat out of my hand, but I fed them by hand when they were keets. Despite their sharp beaks, they are pretty gentle when eating. My leghorns are way less gentle, biting and pulling at the skin on my hand! I hope yours warm up to you!