All of Numi's keets went to a new home yesterday. I was kind of dreading that. I was ready for them to go, but -
When I sold the remaining of Mama's keets last year, I swear that hen went into a funk that lasted until this spring. Mb it was the trauma they went through beforehand & losing her mate, or bcit was her 1st hatch and she was older, but she moped, was quiet. She snapped out of it when she hooked up w/Mia this past spring.
So I was worried abt how Numi wld react. She had been good with the 7 I added until hers hatched. From that point on, I basically had 2 flocks that stayed separate from each other, and she was fiercely protective.
They were all stressed out and calling last night, and then quietly all went into the old coop together.
THAT was new.
This morning they were all waiting for me and it was the 1st time they all got to come out of the run together.
Willow & Mockie still dart in and out of the fray & get chased 1/2 heartedly by everyone, Numi &/or one of the jumbos call, and the 7 come running.
I'm not sure if she just substituted the 7 for her own or accepted them bc they no longer pose a threat, but she's chilled out and today is the 1st day the 10 have actually acted as one unit since I put them together; dustbathing and running about chasing grasshoppers and whatever they find to munch on.
For me, it was the 1st time I got to sit and be with them all at once w/o being busy protecting someone or chasing a stray keet, and realize I have a whole new flock. That was a bittersweet realization. I'll always remember & miss "The Crew", especially my "Boys". I'd rather forget the bad stuff. Still have my eye on the Killing Field, and would rather let the hens handle the hatching. But it was nice to just sit with them, have them eat from my hand and start slowly gaining their trust.
Sorry, I know this is mushy. Where else am I going to gush abt guineas? Keeping keets alive and everyone comfortable in the summer is a lot of work. Autumn is here, and now I can just enjoy them - and have a chat with Numi abt her choice of mates!
When I sold the remaining of Mama's keets last year, I swear that hen went into a funk that lasted until this spring. Mb it was the trauma they went through beforehand & losing her mate, or bcit was her 1st hatch and she was older, but she moped, was quiet. She snapped out of it when she hooked up w/Mia this past spring.
So I was worried abt how Numi wld react. She had been good with the 7 I added until hers hatched. From that point on, I basically had 2 flocks that stayed separate from each other, and she was fiercely protective.
They were all stressed out and calling last night, and then quietly all went into the old coop together.
THAT was new.This morning they were all waiting for me and it was the 1st time they all got to come out of the run together.
Willow & Mockie still dart in and out of the fray & get chased 1/2 heartedly by everyone, Numi &/or one of the jumbos call, and the 7 come running.
I'm not sure if she just substituted the 7 for her own or accepted them bc they no longer pose a threat, but she's chilled out and today is the 1st day the 10 have actually acted as one unit since I put them together; dustbathing and running about chasing grasshoppers and whatever they find to munch on.
For me, it was the 1st time I got to sit and be with them all at once w/o being busy protecting someone or chasing a stray keet, and realize I have a whole new flock. That was a bittersweet realization. I'll always remember & miss "The Crew", especially my "Boys". I'd rather forget the bad stuff. Still have my eye on the Killing Field, and would rather let the hens handle the hatching. But it was nice to just sit with them, have them eat from my hand and start slowly gaining their trust.
Sorry, I know this is mushy. Where else am I going to gush abt guineas? Keeping keets alive and everyone comfortable in the summer is a lot of work. Autumn is here, and now I can just enjoy them - and have a chat with Numi abt her choice of mates!
for the winter, anyway, looks like I have a new storage shed.
