Missing Guineas!

[BuckeyeBirdies]

[/SIZE This past February my boyfriend boyfriend bought me 6 keets. Sady one died on the first night. But the others grew and have done wonderful with the rest of our large flock of chickens,turkeys, and ducks. With some encourgment we were even able to teach them to roost in the coop at night.

However just over a week ago, 4 of them just seemed to vanish! No blood, feathers, or body parts. For days the one guinea left walks around the property crying out BUCKWHEAT BUCKWHEAT! So sad! But 2 days ago, i came home from the store she was also gone! Again with no evidence of an attack. ?????

We miss our birds. We all enjoied them very much. We have searched for them or feathers ect. We have found nothing. Do any of you have any ideas what may be going on? Out on a nest or just runaways??? Any insight, or info would be appreciated!!

 

[pattyhen]

First of all I am sorry for your loss. I am just guessing here but possibly they went off to lay eggs. They may return with a little family. They could have moved on to greener pastures you might ask your neighbors if they have seen them. I would think if a predator got them there would be some evidence of blood or feathers. I'm sorry I'm not much help to you but I wish you luck on finding them or they do return home. Let us know if they do.

 

[BuckeyeBirdies]

Sorry it's been forever! They never did return. Hubby found the body of one. They had apparently went off to nest, and were killed. He found 6 eggs and several broken ones. After candling eggs were no good. We got more guineas this past spring and for the most part things went well! We unfortunately have losts of predators here. But it's our little slice of heaven.

 

[GlennLee]

Sorry it's been forever! They never did return. Hubby found the body of one. They had apparently went off to nest, and were killed. He found 6 eggs and several broken ones. After candling eggs were no good. We got more guineas this past spring and for the most part things went well! We unfortunately have losts of predators here. But it's our little slice of heaven.

So sorry to hear a sad ending, but at least you have some peace of mind about what had happened. We lose about 7 a year to predators and I have been able to encourage my females to nest in the barn, but if they decided to make their nest outside, I doubt if I would ever see them again. Thanks for the update...

 

[BuckeyeBirdies]

Glenn, we allow our birds to free range a property. The guineas always were the first to the coop in the evening. We lose several chickens and guineas to predators each year. Its sad, but, I feel free ranging makes for happier animals.

 

[GlennLee]

Glenn, we allow our birds to free range a property. The guineas always were the first to the coop in the evening. We lose several chickens and guineas to predators each year. Its sad, but, I feel free ranging makes for happier animals.

I agree about the free ranging philosophy. Good that you do that to make them happier! The predators are the down side of all that.

We did put up a solar fence this year during the high predator times. Although the birds didn't stay inside it, when I had it on at night, any predators snooping around would have gotten zapped. I think it may have helped to keep them away during the day. Any that we lost were in our neighbor's wooded area across the road. That's an improvement from last year.

The things we do for love...

 

[BuckeyeBirdies]

I agree about the free ranging philosophy. Good that you do that to make them happier! The predators are the down side of all that.

We did put up a solar fence this year during the high predator times. Although the birds didn't stay inside it, when I had it on at night, any predators snooping around would have gotten zapped. I think it may have helped to keep them away during the day. Any that we lost were in our neighbor's wooded area across the road. That's an improvement from last year.

The things we do for love...

Have u ever hatched out any guinea chicken mixes?? One of my broody hens hatched out eggs last fall. One of them was a guinea cross. I was so suprised! Unfortunately the poor thing only lived about a week. Would have love to watch it grow!

 

[GlennLee]

No, I haven't had that opportunity yet. Who knows? Maybe this spring? Very sorry that yours didn't live. Perhaps you will have another chance this spring.

We have two flocks of guineas 12 in one and 15 in another - a mix of colors - royals, royal pieds, pearls, pearl pieds, lavenders and whites. I have 5 Rhode Island Reds and 3 red English Orpingtons. They keep me busy and drive me crazy, but I wouldn't get rid of them for anything. I just love them. I was hoping we could get an Orpington (rooster) and RIR cross. I didn't even think about the possibility of a guinea / chicken cross.

What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[BuckeyeBirdies]

Well Glenn a better question

No, I haven't had that opportunity yet. Who knows? Maybe this spring? Very sorry that yours didn't live. Perhaps you will have another chance this spring.

We have two flocks of guineas 12 in one and 15 in another - a mix of colors - royals, royal pieds, pearls, pearl pieds, lavenders and whites. I have 5 Rhode Island Reds and 3 red English Orpingtons. They keep me busy and drive me crazy, but I wouldn't get rid of them for anything. I just love them. I was hoping we could get an Orpington (rooster) and RIR cross. I didn't even think about the possibility of a guinea / chicken cross.

What kind of chickens do you have?

Well a better question might be what kind of chickens don't I have!! We have RIR, Barred rocks, Partridge rocks, BO, Brown leghorn, Light Brahma, Black astralorp, EE, Amberlinks, Silver Laced Wyndotte, and golden laced wyndottes.As well the guineas & turkeys. Everyone shares the same coop, never any issues.

 

[justin shrew]

sorry about your lost'
probably, guineas that vanish during the breeding season are usually killed or wet to to broody.