Guineas hatched out

[wcasey911]

Our guinea has been sitting on a well hidden nest. So well I never did find it, but today she showed up at the edge of the corn field with 3 babies. So far I can't get close enough to catch them. Is that what I should do if I can or will they be safe with their mom and dad around? I'll try to get a picture if they come out far enough or if I'm able to catch them.

 

[Soaring Chicks]

I would leave them with mom, but it would be good to handle them so if something did happen you could get them.

 

[wcasey911]

They came out a little so I was able to get a quick shot.

Zoom shot. They are sticking to her like glue.

 

[cracking up]

They usually hatch out at least a dozen. She's probably already lost a few. It would be hard to get them away from her but if you want more guineas you probably need to take them away. They sure are a cute little family.

 

[noodleroo]

I don't know what you should do but I would be tempted to let her raise them. You might lose them to a predator, but there's no guarantees in life anyway. I'd let them enjoy life with their mom and her with her babies....

 

[wcasey911]

UPDATE - She is becoming more open with the keets so over the weekend I decided to try and catch them in an effort to help them get used to us. Well, I grabbed one up and gave it to my wife for the kids to see and pet. Not a good idea at all. Mama was mad and decided to take it out on my oldest daughter. She flew up onto her back and managed to get one scratch in before my daughter ran off into the house crying. Now, I must say once I found out my daughter was okay I had to laugh. In fact, I laughed a lot. It was Americas Funniest Videos material for sure. So for the time being we have decided to just let them be and if nature decides to take them so be it.

Cracking Up - I kinda thought there should have been more babies, but she has just started bringing these out and I like I said I still don't know where her nest was. Maybe they'll make it.