Yesterday I took a deep breath, and let the guineas out of the coop to free range. They didn't come out for over a half hour. I think they kept looking out the door, thinking "oh my, this just doesn't look right, where is our run???". They are so afraid of new things sometimes! But once I went in the coop and gently shoo'd them outside, they were ecstatic and took to their freedom quite well.
Too well, I thought. At one point, they went into the horse pasture, then headed due north along the fence, in front of the house, and when they got to the next corner, they headed due west. I feared they would never find their way back home!
I watched them from the kitchen window, and it appeared they were running away from home.... so I went outside, to the front of the house, and lo and behold, here they were, running quickly back towards the house! They must have realized, oh my goodness, we are awfully far from home, aren't we?!
the sky might be falling??
At any rate, I faced my fears as much as they probably faced theirs -- it's so hard to let go sometimes. I fear they might not come back to the coop at night, or that one of our cats will get one of them, or a stray dog might get them, etc., etc. I have to continually remind myself, these are not pets per se.... no, I got them for the main purpose of keeping our yard free of ticks and other yucky bugs. So now is definitely the season to introduce them to their new job. I must steel myself to the very real possibility that we could lose some of them to predators -- but it won't be because I didn't do everything possible to protect them, of course.
our lonely gal - the male is always chasing her away!
They are not free-ranging today, for three reasons -- I have to leave for work shortly, we have wind in the 35-40 mph range today, along with the threat of very severe storms this evening. I don't want to fuss with trying to get them indoors if the weather takes a drastic change at the last minute!
our male - showing off as males like to do!
They look so fat! i don't think they are going to run away...they know a good thing when they see one!
ReplyDeleteThey are so pretty, and look like they're enjoying some freedom. I am such an overprotective 'mom' :) I enjoyed seeing your happy guineas!! -Tammy
ReplyDeleteWe have friends who have guineas and they stay pretty close to the house. Critter losses have been minimal. They are much better behaved than their peacocks who like to go roost on a neighbor's house over a quarter mile away.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! I don't think I have ever seen those before. I'd be protective too!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a mother hen. I mean a mother guninea, tee hee. I would be the same way.
ReplyDeleteOh I would be protective too...I understand! Six of the cutest baby chicks came home with us last week. Yep...they're camping out in the living room now, and so are the kids...lots of tlc! I almost dread them going out to a coop...yep, these little dearies will be pets...it's how I'm wired! Fun to read your latest adventure. -Mary
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhh - look at those happy, pretty guineas! I do understand your concern about free ranging though. I've been through it with our chickens, and then our turkeys. And it never gets easier. But..... they love free ranging so much and I do love me some happy poultry :) You do take a chance though. And it's tough to take that chance. In my case, it was well worth the worry. I had major issues with penned poultry!
ReplyDeleteAw, look at your babies all grow up! It seems like just yesterday you posted about getting them and they were so little O.O
ReplyDeleteBut as you say, you faced your fear as did they-I'm sure they were just as scared, if not more.
It looks like all is well though, and their acclimating to their new job quite well :)
Glad everyone is accounted for. I think they're just as worried as you are.
ReplyDeletethey must be a lot of fun :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wise choice - to bring them in from the wind. I'll be curious to see how they do with their work on lawn.
ReplyDeleteit is amazing how anything we raise from the "baby" stage becomes our baby. We have a 7 month old puppy...my first dog as an adult and I truely think of her as my BABY ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen guineas before, but they are really beautiful birds! I don't blame you for being protective. I would be too!
ReplyDeleteLinda's Teddy Bears sometimes Free Range LOL
ReplyDeleteMy Granny Walden had guineas and they always came back. Your gonna have fun, they are interestin' creatures and sure eat their weight in bugs.
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)
I just found your blog this morning! I am from MA but lived in Manhattan, KS while attending K-State in the late 90's early 2000. I am happy to be home but miss Kansas some days!
ReplyDeleteI could never part with them. I have such a soft spot for animals. I hope they return home every night after they've rid your farm of nasty bugs!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, BTW!
Hmm I know! They are cute. I've 'trained' our chickens to come to me when I whistle a particular tune (just whistle it when you feed them). And now if I'm in the garden and whistle, they come running to me from under shrubs and trees. But I've lost a couple to birds of prey too. Good luck with these cuties.
ReplyDeleteI get attached to animals--makes it tough for me to let them go. I hope things are going well for you there.
ReplyDeleteOh your Guineas will never get too far away, they USUALLY imprint on the place they were raised. They do not move to other places very well. I hope you have good luck with them..they eat ticks..I would like some but our winters are way to harsh without a barn or a really good coop:(
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