WK #3

[Sydney65]

I did want to point out one thing I've noticed..the 2 white headed ones are the royal purples. But look at the gray's neck here. I started noting the purple when their neck ruffles started fluffing up. Also, Nugget's (Lav)face looks -painful. Should I put some coconut oil on it to prevent chafing or let nature do its thing?

 

[R2elk]

I did want to point out one thing I've noticed..the 2 white headed ones are the royal purples. But look at the gray's neck here. I started noting the purple when their neck ruffles started fluffing up. Also, Nugget's (Lav)face looks -painful. Should I put some coconut oil on it to prevent chafing or let nature do its thing? View attachment 1943036

They are just going through the final loss of their head feathers and the beginning growth of their casques. They look normal to me. I would leave them alone.

Once they start fighting and picking at each other, they are going to look much worse. They will heal in due time without any treatment.

 

[Sydney65]

They are just going through the final loss of their head feathers and the beginning growth of their casques. They look normal to me. I would leave them alone.

Once they start fighting and picking at each other, they are going to look much worse. They will heal in due time without any treatment.

Thank You!

 

[Sydney65]

Wk #12- they say winter is arriving this week w/20° temps and possible snow, so this was prep day. Everything got cleaned,& the heated water tank is in place. I started w/the deep liter method, not sure it had time to really start cooking, but it is deep & the crew does a great job helping to move it around. I can only acknowledge my own comfort zone, and usually I get too warm in there.
The coop faces the south but w/all the fields, there's really not much of a wind break, so I wanted to cut down on rain/wind in the run. Since we're not talking a huge area, I used heavy duty clear shower curtains, strengthened edges w/duck tape, added grommets and attached to sides with zip ties. I did leave a gap at the top to facilitate ventilation.
I'll probably add some more ties in the center to prevent it from ballooning out, but it was getting dark by the time I finished up, and as the other 1/2 says, I keep thinking of "one more thing".
I kind of feel like I have to - they really aren't very clever! I tied the water tank down so they can't knock it over or tip the lid, bc they immediately went for the lid. They apparently didn't get the message re their feet being sensitive to cold, bc they have great fun chasing/running through water bowls, puddles, etc.
I haven't got around to letting one loose on it's own for the day. I let them all come out with me. As long as they can see me, they do their thing. If I get out of sight, they start squawking and come looking for me. If I go inside, they run to the back door and start calling me. When I decide it's time to go back in the run, they go.
That might be bc only one has figured out that she can fly higher than 3 ft off the ground. But she only goes as far as a roof top and then gets panicky when the rest of us walk away. Or they may have had the advantage of being outside in the kennel during the day to acclimate.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Wk #12- they say winter is arriving this week w/20° temps and possible snow, so this was prep day. Everything got cleaned,& the heated water tank is in place. I started w/the deep liter method, not sure it had time to really start cooking, but it is deep & the crew does a great job helping to move it around. I can only acknowledge my own comfort zone, and usually I get too warm in there.
The coop faces the south but w/all the fields, there's really not much of a wind break, so I wanted to cut down on rain/wind in the run. Since we're not talking a huge area, I used heavy duty clear shower curtains, strengthened edges w/duck tape, added grommets and attached to sides with zip ties. I did leave a gap at the top to facilitate ventilation.
I'll probably add some more ties in the center to prevent it from ballooning out, but it was getting dark by the time I finished up, and as the other 1/2 says, I keep thinking of "one more thing".
I kind of feel like I have to - they really aren't very clever! I tied the water tank down so they can't knock it over or tip the lid, bc they immediately went for the lid. They apparently didn't get the message re their feet being sensitive to cold, bc they have great fun chasing/running through water bowls, puddles, etc.
I haven't got around to letting one loose on it's own for the day. I let them all come out with me. As long as they can see me, they do their thing. If I get out of sight, they start squawking and come looking for me. If I go inside, they run to the back door and start calling me. When I decide it's time to go back in the run, they go.
That might be bc only one has figured out that she can fly higher than 3 ft off the ground. But she only goes as far as a roof top and then gets panicky when the rest of us walk away. Or they may have had the advantage of being outside in the kennel during the day to acclimate.

Wow, sounds like your guineas love you! Our 3 mo keets are still not sure whether I’m their treat guru or if I’m about to eat them... Your heated tank and general setup sound very cool - any pics?

 

[Sydney65]

Just came in to thaw out- 21mph winds, wind chill 17°, so no new pics today.There are a lot of pics through out this thread, though. This is the heater I bought, though not from this place - https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...MIqvLav47H5QIVrf_jBx1wJQDsEAQYHSABEgKAWPD_BwE .
I once had ducks that behaved like lap dogs, so was determined to prove guineas cld be the same. - they aren't, & the learning curve has been all mine. They'll hop in my lap or hand, but not linger for long. I had to learn to put my hand on the back before cupping the wings to get them to not run and be picked up. If their back or side is against my chest, they're calm while being held, having nails clipped, etc. They like to keep me in sight, & as I said, I'm not sure if they stay nearby because they don't fly higher than 3 ft so far or if it's bc they had time to acclimate w/the kennel before moving into the coop. (Kennel was like a daytime playpen). But I don't think they ever imprinted as ducks do-I think they just know I'm "the one".

 

[Sydney65]

Wk #13- Lucy stretching. Still stunned by the amt of purple that shows up on the grays!

I wasn't happy w/the Dumour feed I got locally; it met nutritional requirements but was a lot of dust. Nothing else locally med nutritional reqs,all were medicated. I ended up ordering Manna Pro turkey & fowl starter on line & am impressed w/the product-24% protein, no medication, ZERO dust. I imagine that's bc it only comes in 5# bags. A bit more expensive to buy online, but I wasn't saving any when 1/3 of the bag was dust that they didn't eat. Given that it's still less protein than the Purina starter but more than the next step up of the Purina line, I think for the winter I will stick w/this? This pic shld show - Manna Pro is in top feeder, bottom feeder-and in the tray below that they dug out-is the Dumour.


Funny thing about vinyl shower curtains & birds; birds peck,thus defeat the purpose of as a wind barrier. (Yes, I can hear the veterans chuckling). So the day after putting it up, we took it down, cut 3 clear polycarbonate panels in 1/2, predrilled the holes before mounting. We put them on the inside so that predators cldnt tear them down. There's still a gap at the top for ventilation.
If anyone shld opt to do this, I shld probably note- one, I love it, bc it is comfortable inside even when it's cold out, & they now enjoy lining up on their bench in the late afternoon to watch whatever birds watch, but it looks like they're enjoying the pre-sunset. But, at first, it terrified them, bc they came running out of the coop one morning doing their thing, and their cackling was amplified & echoing. They ran back in their coop & refused to come out!
Close up pic isn't very pretty, but to show what we used-

I've never been a fan of cold weather & tended to avoid it as much as possible. But my favorite time of the day has become whenever I can sneak off to go out and sit w/them, just to watch or hand feed. Even the most skittish of them have become accustomed to having me near by and use me as a perch. They should have the flower garden well aerated by spring!

 

[Sydney65]

Wk #16-
1st off, one of my ladies has a toenail that juts sideways from the nailbed rather than straight out. I keep their nails trimmed as needed, but noticed that toe bleeding yesterday. I cleaned and used blue kote. I don't see any puffiness or infection, but today she's favoring it, actually holding foot up at times and hopping on one foot? That's the extent of crisis issues.
Having never had birds of any sort before, I have no comparison for "domesticated vs. non-domesticated". I still make a point of handling each of them at least once during the day and again when shutting them in at night. They like having their neck rubbed.
I'm not really sure if there's a magical age where they begin to do all the things ppl say they do, but so far, they don't. I think wks ago I mentioned Lucy's foray to the roof top. She's not done it again. They don't go up in trees, fly higher than 4-5 off the ground or further than 4-5 yards. When I first took them out, I started off by leading them to the side garden. Now when I open their coop, they circle the coop, march to the garden, and then come to the back door.
They graze in the garden and around the door area, and finally stand at door calling. If I don't hear them,and w/the door shut, I don't, Lucy perches on the step and head butts the glass door. THAT i hear- it's slightly louder than when smaller birds fly into it. They don't stray beyond their "area". Where they graze near back door, they can see when someone pulls in up front. They will stand there and anounce the arrival, but not go further. If I'm out w/them, they stay close. If I sit in the garden, they graze between my feet and take turns using me as a perch.
Our routine moved up up with sun setting earlier, but I have their run and coop cleaned out and food/water ready for them. It's like clockwork, they'll head in a couple of hours before sunset,eat their dinner,clean themselves, and then start calling me to lock them up. If I'm slow, they come to the back door.
I've not seen fighting or aggressiveness among them-the toe concerns me in that regard. The most aggression I've seen is Lucy trying to nip at me when I trim her nails.
I've read that as a group they can take a hawk as adults? Not sure what age =adult in that case. But we've had a hawk hanging around recently so being extra diligent abt being w/them when loose.They are attentive, though. If a shadow passes over they either run to the coop or to me. They seem to take turns being on sky alert, w/one eye cocked and watching. So they are aware of predators. Ofcourse they jump back if they come across a stick.
Appearance-wise,their waddles are out in varying degrees. Some look like skin flaps and some look like little balloons. Likewise,their helmets have made an appearance, but not fully. The royal purples are ahead in that regard.Mainly just a knob at the moment. Their casques are still works in process.
They turn away from raisins, flaxseed,dried worms and shrimp. On really cold days they like their oatmeal, but ONLY when it's extremely cold out.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Wk #16-
1st off, one of my ladies has a toenail that juts sideways from the nailbed rather than straight out. I keep their nails trimmed as needed, but noticed that toe bleeding yesterday. I cleaned and used blue kote. I don't see any puffiness or infection, but today she's favoring it, actually holding foot up at times and hopping on one foot? That's the extent of crisis issues.
Having never had birds of any sort before, I have no comparison for "domesticated vs. non-domesticated". I still make a point of handling each of them at least once during the day and again when shutting them in at night. They like having their neck rubbed.
I'm not really sure if there's a magical age where they begin to do all the things ppl say they do, but so far, they don't. I think wks ago I mentioned Lucy's foray to the roof top. She's not done it again. They don't go up in trees, fly higher than 4-5 off the ground or further than 4-5 yards. When I first took them out, I started off by leading them to the side garden. Now when I open their coop, they circle the coop, march to the garden, and then come to the back door.
They graze in the garden and around the door area, and finally stand at door calling. If I don't hear them,and w/the door shut, I don't, Lucy perches on the step and head butts the glass door. THAT i hear- it's slightly louder than when smaller birds fly into it. They don't stray beyond their "area". Where they graze near back door, they can see when someone pulls in up front. They will stand there and anounce the arrival, but not go further. If I'm out w/them, they stay close. If I sit in the garden, they graze between my feet and take turns using me as a perch.
Our routine moved up up with sun setting earlier, but I have their run and coop cleaned out and food/water ready for them. It's like clockwork, they'll head in a couple of hours before sunset,eat their dinner,clean themselves, and then start calling me to lock them up. If I'm slow, they come to the back door.
I've not seen fighting or aggressiveness among them-the toe concerns me in that regard. The most aggression I've seen is Lucy trying to nip at me when I trim her nails.
I've read that as a group they can take a hawk as adults? Not sure what age =adult in that case. But we've had a hawk hanging around recently so being extra diligent abt being w/them when loose.They are attentive, though. If a shadow passes over they either run to the coop or to me. They seem to take turns being on sky alert, w/one eye cocked and watching. So they are aware of predators. Ofcourse they jump back if they come across a stick.
Appearance-wise,their waddles are out in varying degrees. Some look like skin flaps and some look like little balloons. Likewise,their helmets have made an appearance, but not fully. The royal purples are ahead in that regard.Mainly just a knob at the moment. Their casques are still works in process.
They turn away from raisins, flaxseed,dried worms and shrimp. On really cold days they like their oatmeal, but ONLY when it's extremely cold out.

Sounds like you have such an easy going and contented flock! Our youngsters are mostly about 4 mo old as well, with one (Victor) being 3 mo old. I need to get some recent pics. Sadly, I’ve lost 3/13 juveniles already: two to a snake and one to a neighbor dog. I want mine to integrate with eight 1.5 yr adults, but it’s slow going. One adult (Scout Black) has decided to roost in the juvenile coop at night, but mostly hangs out with the older group by day. Scout Black is the ambassador of the group; a very mean and bossy ambassador! She’s the outcast of the adult group and has always had difficulty roosting with her group as they chase her off and don’t cuddle with her in the cold. Scout roosts before the juveniles, who go to a different roost from mean ol Scout. Then at dark, she jumps onto the roost with them to get cold weather cuddles. I hope that this is the beginning of integration. I had hoped that the adults would show the juveniles the ropes, but they are still so separate that the juveniles are learning little. Scout is good at spotting bobcats; I hope she starts spending the days with the youngsters and helping them be on the lookout!

 

[Sydney65]

I remember @R2elk telling me that when the hormones kick in, the cuddly protectiveness goes out the window. At the time, Nugget was so much smaller than the others that I thought for sure I'd lose him.(- I say "him", I used to say "Her" - that ine is still so quiet & prone to trills & cheeps that I still don't know, where as the rest are obvious). Anyway, at the time, I commented that the others seemed protective of Nugget, & he said that was the norm until those hormones kick in & then the shunning begins. But the only age diff I have is that the 3 grays are 1 wk older.
When they were still in the brooder, Blu took to being a toe pecker. I think that's when I started becoming interested in behavior. At the time, though everyone was being handled, Nugget garnered more attention just bc he didn't seem to be growing like the others & after the trauma of losing so many at the start,I worried. Anyway, I read something abt jealousy & behavior issues. Either it wld work or not, so I made a point of more hands on with that one. Now Blu is the cuddliest of them all, will snuggle into my fleece jacket, lay her head down & close her eyes.