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We had 5 guinea fowl (pearl and coral blue). |
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| These are our Guineas.
Strange looking birds as my wife says but great bug eaters and vigilant
yard patrol. They have their little routines and almost nothing
keeps them from it. Every morning starts with a little scratch
thrown into their pen and off they go on patrol. Across the yard
to the pond for a drink, around the front of the house to look for
intruders or unwanted guests and then off to the neighbors' yards to
search for bugs and get their mid-morning snack from the gentleman down
the way before returning to check on the goats and chickens.
Flying over the fence they look like military aircraft as they swoop in
for a landing - some land gracefully while others make it look very
painful - but all return safely home to patrol the yard in search of
intruders and bugs. Not much gets by their keen detection. Visitors coming by car or foot are greeted with a "buck wheat" and "ki ki ki". When they leave the Guineas chase them down the driveway screeching and flapping their wings, only to turn around at the bottom of the driveway and return to the pond for a drink. |
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Part of their daily routine involves teasing our cat who sits in the window or doorway watching them. When the Guineas move to another area of the yard, the cat moves to a different window for a better view. If she happens to be sleeping and hears them calling, she races through the house jumping into the window she thinks they are at. More than once they have lined up on the deck railing to have a staring contest with the cat.
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As for our dog, the Guineas don't seem to
mind her and see her as a friend. She chases them and they chase
her - tag you're it. In the evening they return to their house for a little snack before lining up on top of the chickens' run where they sleep for the night, even when it is cold out. |
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We learned a tough lesson this year with guineas. The hens were laying their eggs around the yard in places we didn't want them to. So, when we would find a clutch of eggs we would pick them up. The Guineas didn't like that so they moved to the back field to sit. Let's just say we are down to two males, both blue corals. Another problem, Guineas also like walking down the road. You would think living in a country setting that people would be courteous and cautious driving down the roads. Not only have I have been driving for a long time but I have driven all over our continent and have yielded to every animal you can image. I can count on one hand how many I have hit. Some people just don't seem to care and have run over several of our Guineas. Looks like next spring we'll be looking for keets!
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