New guinea owner :)

[TJsguineas2016]

Yes, that helps a lot. Thank you, Rhonda for your help. I don't let mine free range as much as I'd like because I work during the day and don't want anything to happen to them while I'm gone, but I think that's about the average amount mine may be eating, too. They're growing so fast, it seems like every evening when I get home they've changed again. I do know one thing, my oldest female sure is noisy. She yells almost nonstop. She seems to be the leader and she won't stay in one place long enough for the others to enjoy foraging in the yard. I'm figuring out who my other females are, though, cause they are beginning to call right along with her. Do you have any that do that? Everyone is together so I don't know what her problem is. She was pretty vocal when she was younger, too, but not as much as now.

 

[GlennLee]

Oh, you are very welcome. I know the whole free ranging idea is a bit nerve wracking at first. I would only let a few out at a time and they would hover near the run, then I'd let more out and let them stay out for a longer period of time. When I finally let the entire flock out, they started at 2 hours - late afternoon, then I would bring them in again. I gradually increased their time until they were out for the entire day. At first I would try to track their whereabouts on our 10 acres; I put the dog in the Prius and we would drive around on the tractor road with the windows down listening for them in the tall grass. Cray cray, I know!!!

I've gotten beyond that now, but I do try to check on them a couple of times a day. When we go away during the day, I leave them out and they've been fine. If we're heading out and won't be back until after dark, I do gather them and secure them in the coop first.

It is amazing how quickly they grow and how fast they change! I took pictures every week to chronicle their progress. It's interesting that you have noticed a leader - they let their personalities be known at a young age. I did have one female start with the "buckwheat" call very early. She was loud and relentless... that doesn't happen much any more. They are a pretty quiet group - but I have about 2/3 male to 1/3 female and they are close to 3 months now.

At the time when she was the only female vocalizing, I had an adult male. She would break into her buckwheat and for every buckwheat, he would reply with a "chuck". I think they would have been a couple - she followed him everywhere - but I had to get rid of him. He was VERY aggressive toward the rest of the flock and was relentless. They didn't have any peace - he chased them ALL constantly. I tried working with him and the situation for a month, but just couldn't take it any longer. The flock is amazing now - there's the typical chasing figuring out who's in charge, and trying to get the ladies' eyes, but it's not the constant aggression and bullying. So.. maybe your female is waiting for one of the males to wake up and call back to her? Just a thought.... I know it can be annoying though. Hopefully, she'll quiet down again.

Enjoy them... they are such fun.