"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[TerriLaChicks]

The three cabelleros!! That's a riot! I never would have thought of including guineas for that purpose. I don't have a very big run - 4' x 8' with 5 bantam silkies. Do you think 1 guinea would fit? I let the free range when I'm out. Will let them out more when they are older. Would it be lonely being the only guinea?
Thanks so much for the advice.

One by itself wouldn't be happy; they are sociable & like to be around others of their kind. Three is the minimum I would keep. Mine go into the coop with the chickens at night & first thing when I let them out in the morning, fly over the six foot run fence & roam the property all day long, going back in w/the chickens at sundown. They stay pretty much in the back, which is good as we have a highway in front. They are very nosy & have to be in the middle of anything going on -- and talk about it, too. Here they are perched on the gate just in back of the house -- they like to watch me through my kitchen window when I'm doing dishes.

 

[sgibbe1]

I specifically used "area" so it can include anyone who wanted to join. An area is as big or as small as you make it.

Ya know, I posted the BRAUCK thing half in jest... thinking no one would actually take me seriously. LOL.

I think its great! I am going to get my chickens this summer, and would love to have get togethers!

 

[NOLA Chicks]

One by itself wouldn't be happy; they are sociable & like to be around others of their kind. Three is the minimum I would keep. Mine go into the coop with the chickens at night & first thing when I let them out in the morning, fly over the six foot run fence & roam the property all day long, going back in w/the chickens at sundown. They stay pretty much in the back, which is good as we have a highway in front. They are very nosy & have to be in the middle of anything going on -- and talk about it, too. Here they are perched on the gate just in back of the house -- they like to watch me through my kitchen window when I'm doing dishes.

Haha. Nothing like having an audience while you do your chores.

I appreciate you sharng your experineces. I'll need to think more about whether I can accomodate guineas in a way they will be happy and comfortable.

 

[Garilyn Bardash]

No, just handle them a little bit & put your hand down among them & let them get used to "the big giant hand". It's OK if you aren't there for a few days; they'll be fine. Once you get back & start hand feeding them treats -- (oatmeal is like crack to them)! & just take them out every day & sit quietly out in the yard w/them & let them cllimb all over you & there you go -- for the rest of their lives they will be all over you & you'll have to shoo them out of the way anytime you go outside.

They go through what I call the "hysterical screaming teenager phase" (no insult meant)! when they are about 3 weeks old & feathering out -- for some reason every little thing seems to send them into shrieking hysteria -- I just ignore them, make sure to pick up each one every day & pet it for a few seconds & put it back down, & keep offering treats in my hand only -- they have to come up & take it out of my hand -- they seem to get over this phase once they feather out fully.

I've heard that when they are feathering out that they are very tender to touch, that could be why they are shreeking!

 

[Sprinkles212]

Whoo-hoo!! congratulations!! My Wellies just turned 3 months old on Mar 7th, no eggs yet, but the little roos are starting to try & crow -- SO hilarious! - sound like somebody with a very bad cold saying "Ahh-haa" - they are really going to have to do better than that if they ever want to sound like real roos!

Where did you buy your Welsummers?

 

[brojrm]

Just got 6 beautiful silver penciled rocks in Btr. good looking bunch healthy and active. Then my wife and I spread 4 buckets of horse manure full of worms out for our big girls and boys. They have not stopped scratching yet.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Where did you buy your Welsummers?

Hatched them from eggs I got from Brian -- bwalden -- he has an auction going here on BYC -- his lines are Grisham, that was where my original lines were from (lost my roo so couldn't continue) & my old hens from that line (my 2nd generation) are still laying nice dark, speckled eggs - if I could only have one breed, these Welsummers would be it. I now have 9 hens & 2 roos so I'll be able to offer fertile eggs or chicks coming this fall after mine are laying a month or two.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Just got 6 beautiful silver penciled rocks in Btr. good looking bunch healthy and active. Then my wife and I spread 4 buckets of horse manure full of worms out for our big girls and boys. They have not stopped scratching yet.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

I've heard that when they are feathering out that they are very tender to touch, that could be why they are shreeking!

Good point! I hadn't thought about that! How is your husband doing?

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Sounds like a very enjoyable afternoon to me

chickless people just don't get it!

Amen, Sista!!