It has been a sad few days for me. Since I turned my keets out, they have been returning and responding to my call, no matter what time of the day I called. I always threw them a handful or two of feed when they did. Four days ago, some neighbors (about 1/2 of a mile away) had a visitor that brought their 6 little dogs (Pomeranians and Feist types). That visitor turned their dogs loose. Needless to say those dogs made a beeline to my house. I wasn't home that day, so wasn't able to lock my keets up. I have no proof that these dogs have killed my babies, but only 5 of the 23 returned that day. I have called and searched for my babies. These dogs are still coming to my house and chasing my 3 adult guineas. I have yelled at the dogs, shot at them, even gone to the neighbor and asked them to restrain the dogs, but have no cooperation on that front. This afternoon, I found an area that had a lot of guinea feathers (smaller, like the keets had), but no bodies or anything else. I keep hoping my babies have just wandered off and will soon return, but I suspect that it is not going to happen. My remaining 5 keets are being kept in a cage next to my brooder.
I have made the decision to no longer shoot AT the dogs, but to stop their terrorizing my poultry. They are predators. I have my .357 Magnum pistol ready, as well as my shotgun. I have an empty raised garden bed that has a pile of dirt and sand beside it, so burying the bodies will be easy. I hate taking this step, but feel I no longer have a choice.
And yes, I am crying over the loss of my babies.