Haha - I dearly love my guineas, but they are not very bright - they go out of the barn through the pony pen, but do you think they can find their way back in? No, they will sit on the hitching rail in front of the barn in a driving rain/snow/sleet with the open door right near where they are, but can I chase them in that door? No, we have to go around to the back of the barn where there is an attached arena, I have to open the big gate and open the little chicken door with the ramp in order for them to go in the barn. Then in they go, one by one, chortling all the while! They free range during the day - we have 40 acres - where do they prefer to go? Across the busy country road, of course! I have a guinea fowl crossing sign at the end of my driveway and a lot of the locals have learned by now that my guineas will stand in the middle of the road and yell at any car that would dare come up to them. They love the chrome bumpers on some cars because they can see their reflection. They can be mean to some of my chickens, I have New Hampshire Reds - one rooster and 29 hens. It seems they pick on the littlest hens on the bottom of the pecking order. I have tried closing the guineas in so they can lay eggs in the nest boxes, no, they go out into a brush pile surrounded by tall teasel weeds and that is the only time they are quiet - when I am trying to find them! One night I asked my DH to close them in the barn (we have coyotes and coons) - he came in shaking his head, he couldn't find the guineas anywhere - btw, the chickens all put themselves to bed at a decent time each night - so I went out to see if I could find them. We searched for close to an hour, used a spotlight in the field, carefully drove my car around in the field - I was near tears. In an act of desperation, I stood on the hill and started chirruping to them. I heard several little quiet chortles behind me. Where did I find them? In the blasted brush pile in the arena, 10 feet from the barn. I could just tell they were laughing at us as they watched us search frantically for them! They are great bug eaters - the Japanese Beetles don't stand a chance! I will never be without guineas running the place, even though they try my patience to the limit many times! I am in love with their exaggerated eye liner and their beautiful knobs on top of their heads. They are easy on my gardens and my flower beds, my chickens destroy anything they can get near. I will keep as many chickens and guineas for as long as I can, and probably always get my exercise as I go in search of the guineas latest hiding spot. Before you get them, make sure you are prepared for their rather "challenging" personality!
