***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[miohippus]

http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/GuinHen/ This says that the offspring are sterial unfortunly

 

[Cjarvis]

Now, another question, on "other fowl".
I have several Narragansett Turkeys, a White French Midget turkey, and 8 Pearl Guineas. The breeders told me to feed them 28% protein game bird food! up to 3 months, then switch to 20%, up to 1 year, and 16% after that. I let them out, in the mornings, and coop them at night. When they are out, they seem to want to just hang out, in the chickens' coop, eating their food, rather than foraging for bugs, and other critters. My chickens seem to do better at eating bugs, that the guineas and turkeys. Heck, the chickens are the only ones I've seen, chase down, and capture, then eat, a tree frog. I was told guineas are "tick eating maniacs" and turkeys will eat just about ANYTHING they can catch. Yet, crickets, bumble bees, beetles, and plenty of other critters go by them, unnoticed. But, the chickens, happily chase down, and consume those larger, easier to see, and easier to catch, bugs.
The turkeys and guineas, are all at that 3 month stage, where they should be switched from the game bird feed, to regular 20%.
What is the problem, with them being lazy, about eating? There are infinite bugs, here on the property, to eat, yet they want to eat chicken or chick, feed rather than bugs. Are they still too immature? They are good sized, been fully feathered for a while now. Fly very well. But, they just seem to refuse to forage. Are they developmentally disabled, or what?

If they are fully nourished with the feed they receive they will only forage for what is missing in their diet. Free ranging a bird is always best for them however is not always feasible. In the event I was able to truly able to free range my birds I would only supplement with grains and oils.
Birds naturally seek a mix a mix of animal and plant protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. No different than any other animal they will seek what is missing from their diet, and given the opportunity will forage for it themselves.

 

[Cjarvis]

That's not good news for the guineas. A friend keeps asking when we can butcher one, as we've heard that they taste like pheasant. He really wants to try it. Our only reason, for getting them, was because of an abundance of ticks, here. If they don't start ridding the area of ticks, soon, it's off to freezer camp, for these guineas. If I wanted birds to be just a noisy watchdog, I would have gotten geese. All these guineas seem to accomplish, is irritating the heck,out of me.

You and most others, a good game bird, bantam or otherwise will rid you of all the unwanted bugs you have. Just do not supplement their feed much and keep water available.
Just an FYI Guineas do taste very similar to pheasant, the more ranging opportunity they have the better for flavor.

 

[Cjarvis]

Guineas can cross w/ chickens and produce viable offspring. It is not overly common and is mostly w/ guinea hens raised in the flock of chickens and w/o a male guinea.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guineas/BRKGuinHybrid.html

Careful with that statement, a male guinea will run a rooster in the ground, and cover a hen quite well. The offspring will be infertile males and fertile females with a very interesting appearance, very similar to a pheasant / chicken hybrid.

 

[Poco Pollo]

Just got back from a birthday celebration in Tulsa (DH turned 51... I'm the older woman in his life ; 0 ) Returned to the farm to find all the free-range birds sprawled on the shaded concrete side porch like a bunch of fish dumped out of a bowl. Panting, wings spread, tummies pressed to the floor; no losses, but they went to the water buckets for seconds and thirds after I refilled them with cold water.

All the dog dishes had a half an inch of silt in them, which is evidence that they have been used as foot baths most of the day. The tubs for the ducks had an inch of dirt lining the bottom of each one. Both the Indian runners and the Muskovies are snoozing under a big tree: Where can a person go to sign up for a job like that?

 

[BetsyOK]

Our poultry life started with guineas many years ago after our daughter got Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from a tick bite (not in our yard). We had a HORRIBLE tick problem, but rarely get tick bites anymore, even though we're in the country and our place is heavily wooded in back.

Ours are fed well, but very eagerly chase down and eat just about anything that moves, if it is small enough. They only get to free range about half a day Saturdays and Sundays because we still can't completely trust our dog not to "play" with them. Catch, release, catch, release is very hard on guineas.

Yes, guineas will mate with chickens both ways. I've seen pictures of friends' "guins," which is what they are called, and body shape, feathering, etc., depends on what the cross is. One friend had a female that looked a lot like an oddly colored pigeon. They'll also mate with peafowl.

 

[Kassaundra]

Careful with that statement, a male guinea will run a rooster in the ground, and cover a hen quite well. The offspring will be infertile males and fertile females with a very interesting appearance, very similar to a pheasant / chicken hybrid.

I said no male guinea, the females covered by a male rooster specifically b/c of the male guineas aggression to the rooster. Even though it can go both ways (male guinea to female chicken, or male chicken to female guinea)

 

[Kassaundra]

Update on the temps in the dens for the buns Okay the outside temps are 103, inside the den w/ one ice bottle is 85 by the thermometer, but it feels much cooler then that, when you open the door you get hit by the cool air, and the surfaces feel cool to the touch, and no panting rabbits at all.

 

[chrisnjenny]

Im not sure what DIL is but my prayers are with you @hotcurlr

 

[Kassaundra]

Im not sure what DIL is but my prayers are with you @hotcurlr

Daughter in law