tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post3634623843468852186..comments2024-03-18T22:33:57.339-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Where Oh Where Did My Guineas Go???Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2837326625134000232014-01-04T15:59:38.043-05:002014-01-04T15:59:38.043-05:00On my way home somewhere in the panhandle of Flori...On my way home somewhere in the panhandle of Florida or southern Alabama I came over the crest of a hill and about ran into about ten guineas in the road. I got stopped in time but they sure did scream at me.<br /><br />Our neighbor's dog is forever in our yard crapping all over the place. It is an old dog with not much longer to live so I haven't said anything about it but if they get another, I may have to say a word or two. I just don't understand why people think that is acceptable?Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64328421018397858352013-12-30T21:43:54.157-05:002013-12-30T21:43:54.157-05:00Katy, it was a heartbreak. :(
Stephanie, yeah, it...Katy, it was a heartbreak. :(<br /><br />Stephanie, yeah, it seems coyotes are making a comeback. Unfortunately for those of us with livestock.<br /><br />Jen, thanks. It is a job keeping our critters safe, it's true. Guineas are challenging, but I think I've proof that they can be trained to go in at night. The rest of it was unfortunate, but they are noisy!<br /><br />Kev, as long as you have neighbors who don't mind, get them! Actually they are quite the homebodies, which is why we thing something got the two we didn't give away. They are fascinating birds.<br /><br />Anne, I hadn't gotten so far as to sex them, but it did seek to me that the reject had smaller combs and I figured was female. Actually, I think I had 7 or 8 males! I felt fortunate that I was able to "train" them to go in at night, which made the daytime loss all the more devastating. Like yours, mine would come when I called them, which truly endeared them to me all the more. Very interesting about the Japanese beetles. Another reason to want more, except for the same reason we had to give most of ours away - the neighbors. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-25663558031768346772013-12-30T18:14:01.543-05:002013-12-30T18:14:01.543-05:00Often the last ones in are the girls. Guinea hens ...Often the last ones in are the girls. Guinea hens are low on the pecking order to the boys- always. At night if they don't come in to roost- they'll prefer a spot up in the trees/ off the ground. It's spring where the girls will take off to sit on a nest they've hidden away. Unless you have a pen to keep them in- it will be a constant problem.<br /><br /> They are really really tasty birds. <br /><br /> I hand fed mine daily. They followed 2 roos that were 2 weeks younger than them. They used our dog as a mobile safety shelter when foraging in the fields. They used to follow me to clear the Japanese beetles off the wild grape vines. Because I handled them a lot and hand fed them- I could call the girls in at night. They need routine. <br /><br /> Best of luck with your next Guinea endeavor!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17159095601570766616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-24048792819199350812013-12-30T16:23:08.640-05:002013-12-30T16:23:08.640-05:00If you got the same amount next time maybe you cou...If you got the same amount next time maybe you could eat a few - they're meant to taste pretty good. I've always fancied having a few of these about the place but I worry that they'd wonder off so I guess reading this as put me off for a little while longerKev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-85524894907555488622013-12-29T10:20:00.467-05:002013-12-29T10:20:00.467-05:00Oh the adventures of homesteading... Not always ea...Oh the adventures of homesteading... Not always easy but always good because we can always learn something. I'm sorry it didn't work out this time but have no doubt things will be better with just a few less. Thanks for sharing your journey with them, I have been on the fence with getting some myself because it's really rough out here. We have every kind of chicken/bird/cat killer you can imagine.We do have ticks but Keeping my girls (hens) safe is a full time job as is...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16711169722488606559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49796154284787682062013-12-27T04:12:50.875-05:002013-12-27T04:12:50.875-05:00Sorry to hear this hun. We have had coyotes aroun...Sorry to hear this hun. We have had coyotes around here too lately, we can hear them at night.<br /><br />http://caffeinatedhomestead.weebly.com/blog.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-22763332794880579242013-12-26T21:13:00.321-05:002013-12-26T21:13:00.321-05:00awww Leigh this kinda broke my heart. :/awww Leigh this kinda broke my heart. :/Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14880982615521740741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-44178602314478992692013-12-26T20:54:01.569-05:002013-12-26T20:54:01.569-05:00April Jo, that's so sad. :(
Tania, foxes are ...April Jo, that's so sad. :(<br /><br />Tania, foxes are a problem here too. It's hard to lose them that way, or any way for that matter.<br /><br />Candace, well, they were a lot of trouble since they wouldn't stay in the yard. But it's true, we wouldn't have known if we hadn't tried.<br /><br />Willow, I wonder if Dan won't say the same thing if I bring up the subject of getting more. I'll definitely tell him about those coyote chasing guineas!<br /><br />Mama Pea, funny how things work out, isn't it? Guineas do make for interesting blogging, no matter what they're doing!<br /><br />Barb, we have hawks too so that may have been what happened. Odd both would disappear in the same afternoon though.<br /><br />Debbie, thanks. I've had cats like that too! Funny how they find a place in one's heart in spite of being annoying. :)<br /><br />Renee, that's a good question, but it's doubtful. They easily made it to the tops of our outbuildings and from there, flew up into trees. <br /><br />We're researching what to do about the coyotes. I now think it was coyotes that have dug up compost buried in the garden including bones. If spring comes and they have pups, it will likely be an ongoing problem.<br /><br />Bettina, the guineas made for the best stories! Maybe if we only had two it wouldn't be so bad, if they could survive.<br /><br />Laura, interesting about the pea fowl. I always considered them to be noisy, or at least their call carries quite well. Dan thought about trying guinea meat, but we never got that far. <br /><br />Yes, it was a lovely Christmas. Just like your's, quiet and not too cold!<br /><br />Sandy, truer words were never spoken, indeed life on a homestead is always a learning experience. Sadly, losing them is like losing my llama, something I'll always regret.<br /><br />Pam, it's disappointing! Sounds like you have a much better setup for yours. You're fortunate to be able to enjoy them.<br /><br />Sue, that is so true. Unfortunately, the learning curve is entirely experiential!<br /><br />Michelle, thanks!<br /><br />Susan, that's amazing that yours didn't roam! The irony is that mine went inside at night, but disappeared during the day.<br /><br />Cecilia, I would love it if they showed up again! I'd be overjoyed! The reason we thought coyotes is because they disappeared during the day. They are such homebodies, if they could, I know they would have come back to the barn to roost at night.<br /><br />Lady Hawke, isn't it amazing what kinds of personalities animals have? It's true that the ones that are the most work are the ones we miss the most.<br /><br />John, welcome and thank you for the comment! I sincerely hope you're successful raising keets! I can't believe turkeys would be more annoying than guineas! (Can anything be more annoying than guineas?) But I will certainly take you word on it. <br /><br />Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-74612896329336446062013-12-26T20:43:22.408-05:002013-12-26T20:43:22.408-05:00Don't feel bad. We got 5 guineas for insect c...Don't feel bad. We got 5 guineas for insect control about the same time you did. And we have a busy road and suburban neighbors to tend with. We love those dang birds, but they can be annoying. We're down to three now, two were taken by an owl or hawk during a -10F cold snap where they decided a tree was better for sleeping than the barn. Grrr. We're hoping for keets this summer, if not they will slowly disappear. We did turkeys this summer and probably won't do that again, they were much more annoying than the guineas at their worst.John on a bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16963887288838593000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2322854784841167612013-12-26T19:41:46.247-05:002013-12-26T19:41:46.247-05:00I can understand about having to give up an animal...I can understand about having to give up an animal for peace and quiet. We had to find a home for Ms. Pinkie, our mini-wienie. She was constantly keeping everybody else stirred up and yapping all the time. When she left it was as if the other dogs did not exist, they were so quiet. But I still miss her. Lady Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02912568623501436294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-41188788670707648312013-12-26T18:15:23.223-05:002013-12-26T18:15:23.223-05:00Oh, it's sad that you had to give them away, b...Oh, it's sad that you had to give them away, but they are probably more suited to a large place without neighbors. :-) Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but they don't make easy prey for coyotes since they tend to roost out of reach at night. Who knows, maybe they will show up again.Madness, Trouble, Squish and Milkbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02368723357507438999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38697843185031344472013-12-26T14:34:33.788-05:002013-12-26T14:34:33.788-05:00Cripes, Leigh. I should have shipped mine to you....Cripes, Leigh. I should have shipped mine to you. They wouldn't leave the backyard - which was not helpful in ridding the environment of ticks. They are tricky to keep alive - if they don't dart out in the road, they roost in the trees and become predator snacks. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573143203599624833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-30171169429663090192013-12-26T14:20:09.380-05:002013-12-26T14:20:09.380-05:00What a bummer! I'm so sorry you had to give up...What a bummer! I'm so sorry you had to give up your guineas. I hope you will get to have them again in the future. Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28537031523496577302013-12-26T14:04:08.086-05:002013-12-26T14:04:08.086-05:00Sorry about the guineas. It is hard figuring out w...Sorry about the guineas. It is hard figuring out what animals will work on the farm, what with their different personalities and management needs. The learning curve can be quite difficult, and expensive to boot.<br /><br />Happy Holidays to you and Dan!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-20859347933982924722013-12-26T13:53:04.051-05:002013-12-26T13:53:04.051-05:00Ah...the case of the disappearing guineas. I thin...Ah...the case of the disappearing guineas. I think that's what became of our first group. We couldn't corral them up that evening and left them out but woke to 1 lone guinea screaming at the top of her lungs. No idea where the other 5 disappeared to. But the group of 18 we have now (17 from a local breeder plus the 1 left behind) are so easy to work with. We have 10 acres and our closest neighbor is 2+ miles away. They seem pretty content to stick to our property and wander the confines of our perimeter. Sorry they didn't work out for you. Maybe we've just been lucky with ours.<br /><br />PamAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04526647452332483405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-6917332392469560842013-12-26T12:11:34.333-05:002013-12-26T12:11:34.333-05:00Leigh,
I'm sorry to hear about having to give...Leigh,<br /><br />I'm sorry to hear about having to give up your Guineas. Remember, if you didn't give it an attempt you would have never known what to expect and how to raise them. Now you have experience and know what to expect the next time you purchase these little critters. Life on the homestead is always a learning experience. <br />Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65315630110613593002013-12-26T11:37:06.414-05:002013-12-26T11:37:06.414-05:00They will wander, and fences have no meaning for t...They will wander, and fences have no meaning for them. Tick clearing aside, they are difficult birds to keep "down on the farm", so to speak. I have a pair of peafowl (down from a quad). They have never been allowed to roam, as they will, and quite far. Unlike guineas, my peafowl are relatively quiet, but, though I've had them for a number of years, they are not tame, and absolutely will NOT come when called!! In theory, guineas are a great addition to a homestead. But if you have to build Fort Knox to keep them in, it's probably not an achievable goal (or gaol!). They also don't produce much meat (not even as much as a chicken, so they're not very dual purpose. <br /><br />I hope you had a wonderful Christmas - it was quiet here, and not too cold. Perfect!!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421589409738817614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90976231775837753802013-12-26T11:05:49.736-05:002013-12-26T11:05:49.736-05:00what a pity, I liked the guinea stories! but I can...what a pity, I liked the guinea stories! but I can understand that you value peace with your neighbours more than running after them all the time. I wouldn't mind a few stray birds in my garden, but then I don't have the average tidy "lawn and borders" garden anyway:) better luck next time!Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-20557050557244655462013-12-26T10:28:01.693-05:002013-12-26T10:28:01.693-05:00Sorry that didn't work out. I'm wondering...Sorry that didn't work out. I'm wondering if there is any kind of barrier you could get to keep them contained? probably not since they fly. silly birds. <br /><br />oh how are you dealing with the coyotes?Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-53066930415906516812013-12-26T10:26:31.411-05:002013-12-26T10:26:31.411-05:00So sorry about the guineas, Leigh. I can relate to...So sorry about the guineas, Leigh. I can relate to the "annoying but we love them anyway" - one of our kitties is a talker and a whiner, she meows and complains all the live long day, and drives us crazy sometimes. But goodness, how we will miss her when she's gone. I hope you can fill that guinea-shaped void in your homestead life.DebbieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00508692845369401119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48124771734625357012013-12-26T09:30:31.502-05:002013-12-26T09:30:31.502-05:00I completely understand. The Nature Center has to...I completely understand. The Nature Center has to hatch out their eggs (when they find them) because they just keep going missing. Our keets just keep to the edges of the flock. The neighbors don't get to do anything but complain because the farm was there first. We, however, have hawks. They are a quick, silent predator. <br /><br />The raccoon made it a much longer and more tragic even. If you see me with a raccoon hat, it will purely be an act of revenge!<br />Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8908099383727699472013-12-26T09:28:04.750-05:002013-12-26T09:28:04.750-05:00It doesn't seem right that you wouldn't be...It doesn't seem right that you wouldn't be able to easily keep your guineas since most people who have them end up deciding they wish they hadn't gotten them. Here you are very happy with them (not to mention downright fond of them!) but finding problems keeping them. At least this time around. I know you and Dan will figure out a way to successfully have them and have better luck next time.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing this not-so-happy part of homesteading life. It happens, and we can all learn from it.Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38571793496362260082013-12-26T08:51:52.014-05:002013-12-26T08:51:52.014-05:00Wanderers they are indeed , and noisy in a large b...Wanderers they are indeed , and noisy in a large bunch ~ but oh so interesting aren't they.<br />Yes we had them at our last farm and they constantly got themselves in trouble and got picked off one by one ...Owls, coyotes , foxes, cars . I keep thinking we would like them at this farm but Mountain man says no , he isn't found of all the noise and I know that id they don't go in by dusk they get picked off fast :.<br />The chickens will have to do I guess as they all know to go in at night.. BUT another note our friend a town over has them in large groups and even video taped a noisy group of them chasing a coyote off one morning ...so safety in noisy numbers during the day lolWillowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02507537074005136610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1973904273701646162013-12-26T08:50:52.619-05:002013-12-26T08:50:52.619-05:00I'm sorry about your guineas. They sound like...I'm sorry about your guineas. They sound like more trouble than they were worth, at least they would be to me, but sometimes you don't know until you try. Cat Eye Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02858322427127791100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2388244623138879652013-12-26T06:53:44.174-05:002013-12-26T06:53:44.174-05:00We haven't tried different kinds of poultry ot...We haven't tried different kinds of poultry other than chickens and ducks. My mum used to keep pheasants when we lived on our farm...We have had a lot of trouble with foxes this year, but luckily he only got to one little chick. Just so happened that we were home the day the fox came to visit, otherwise it may have been disastrous...<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your guinea fowl saga, hope you have more success next time :) Taniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.com