One lone keet hatched under a small hen this spring. The keet was named Pearl, not only for her color but also because she is special...a gem, a pearl. Pearl is now 2 months old. Mama went back to setting recently and all the other hens in the same coop have taken it upon themselves to take care of Pearl and continue her education. Pearl will follow this hen and then that one, and it is so obvious each hen genuinely likes Pearl and looks after her, allowing the keet to have a close relationship with each one; surrogate mothers if you will.
We had a storm the other day, a torrential downpour for about half an hour. Pearl had gone in another pen and was confused, wanting to get to her friends and safety of her usual henhouse. She ran the fence, crying. One of the hens came out in the pouring rain and made several attempts at the fence to get the keet and lead her to the right coop. But after about 4-5 attempts, the hen realized it wasn't possible and went back into the henhouse, drenched. Pearl spent the remainder of the storm under an eave and ramp and was fine, reunited once the storm passed.
I was very touched by the obvious love and emotions these two felt for each other, never having witness such an act from a bird, personally. Pearl is very special and endearing. I love her for her free spirit and happiness to be alive.
Does anyone have stories to share about their guineas?
We had a storm the other day, a torrential downpour for about half an hour. Pearl had gone in another pen and was confused, wanting to get to her friends and safety of her usual henhouse. She ran the fence, crying. One of the hens came out in the pouring rain and made several attempts at the fence to get the keet and lead her to the right coop. But after about 4-5 attempts, the hen realized it wasn't possible and went back into the henhouse, drenched. Pearl spent the remainder of the storm under an eave and ramp and was fine, reunited once the storm passed.
I was very touched by the obvious love and emotions these two felt for each other, never having witness such an act from a bird, personally. Pearl is very special and endearing. I love her for her free spirit and happiness to be alive.
Does anyone have stories to share about their guineas?
I have a guinea roo who was attacked by a dog when he was a couple weeks old. I had to nurse him back to health and went through alot to save him when everyone told me to put him down. He is now 4 months old and doesn't realize he is a guinea. He free ranges our fenced in backyard and can't fly to get out. He loves it when we all go outside cause he loves the company. Last night the fence got left open and he must have wandered out. I couldn't find him when it was time to come in and I was devastated! He can't fly because of a mangled wing from a while ago. All day he has been gone and we have been so sad thinking something happened to him. My neighbor called this evening and said, there's 9 guineas in the pasture instead of 8, I think we found scooter. She has a free range flock that was the rest of his brothers and sisters. Anyway, everyone said there was no way I was gonna catch him and he was happy with his siblings. I thought no way, scooter loves me! I walked out to the pasture, all the guineas started walking away, and I said "come here scooter pooter!" He poked his head up from the group and bolted for me! Right into my lap and onto my shoulder!! It melted my heart! And I blew raspberries at everyone who said he wouldn't want anything to do with me. He rode home half way on my shoulder and the other half he followed me like a little dog. I love him !!!!!
