Too many people apply what they know about chickens to other fowl. Guineas have different instincts than any other poultry. Equating instincts to intelligence is wrong.
They've grown considerably since I posted this question and totally agree with you about watching them. Well said!It's less about them being stupid and more about us not knowing more about them. If you dropped me into Africa, or even NYC, I'd probably not be equipped to survive long on my own.
Guineas don't like change, for good reason. Unlike us, they have monovision, so they kind of rely on things being where they always are. If you move their water dispenser every day, you'll have frustrated birds.
They can't see in the dark, so once the sun sets, they're stuck wherever they are until it comes back up, unless we leave a light on.
They weren't meant to be where it's cold and wet. Adults do ok, but if they've keets tagging along through wet grass or chilly mornings, odds are some will succumb.
There's not a lot of info for us to read to learn about them, so learning comes mainly from watching. I've learned a lot just quietly sitting with them while they free range and in the coop when they're broody. Just remember, if you walk through your house and someone has moved your furniture around, you'd be confused too, and that's assuming you don't have monovision.
Great information about vision and very well said!
Well said and thanks for adding your insight! No doubt that their survival instincts are very keen (at least on some fronts) but I wouldn't mistake it for intellect, that's for certain.
Oh...I believe they can communicate. They are NOT shy with their communicationAdd in the human trait of believing other animals are just "poor dumb animals." We don't understand how they communicate, so they must not communicate. That's our folly. I think a lot of instincts that we once had we've forgotten given to convenience. We have others telling us what to eat, what meds to use, etc. But if those conveniences disappeared tomorrow, few would know what plant to grab for bleeding or upset stomach, or which of those pretty flowers we plant are edible or poisonous. Yet animals romp through flower beds without eating lilies but munching on dandelions. Guineas will bypass onions (or pull them out of the ground), but chow down on the chives next to them. If a hen is dropping shellless eggs and there's borage, spinach or other leafy dark greens around, she knows what to do.
Consider all the ways humans come up with to (incorrectly) do gender identity on guinea fowl. That's why I have a cock named "Mia. See, we aren't that smart. "
