Monday, November 10, 2008

Saying Bye To Some Guineas, Saying Hello to New Chickens

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All this time I had been dreading capturing eight of the sixteen young guineas that the guinea mom and dad had done such a great job of raising. Believe it or not they all trusted me as much as a guinea can trust a human. (They are always wary) Doing what I did made it even harder and made me feel guilty. Last week I got a cage from the neighbor so I could round up some guineas for him. I have a hard time letting go of anything around here, but they went to a very nice family with 11 acres and will be very well taken care of. I have to tell you it was VERY easy to 'catch' them. I opened up the cage, put some millet birdseed down in the bottom and everyone just couldnt step in fast enough. I had eight plus mom in a matter of minutes. I had to get the net and scoop mom back out and I had to make sure the one young one I knew for sure was a girl wasnt in there. She wasnt. I closed up the pen and there I had it all ready to go. Ian helped me tote the cage over to the old truck and put them in the back. At first I thought we should sell the old truck, and if someone comes along that wants to buy it then we will sell it. It has turned out to be of a lot of use to us from transporting bales of hay to transporting animals. It keeps the dirt, poo and scratches out of the new truck bed.

I called the neighbors up and let them know I was on the way over. They used to buy eggs from me sometimes but now they have their own chicken flock. He has a very nice bunch there on the farm. I pulled on around through the gate and to the back where he had a pen all set up and ready for them. With guineas you want to pen them for a couple of weeks to make sure they will stick around. They aren't as domesticated as chickens and you have to make sure they know where home is when nightfall comes.

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After he got them settled in their pen we talked awhile and I took some pictures of his chickens of course. His americauna rooster is just a sweetie. He is just so pretty. All of his chickens are pretty tame. He has red sex link hens, americauna hens, and a black austrolorp hen. He also has another americauna rooster but he is not with the flock and keeps to himself. Then there is the white rooster...I don't remember for sure what breed he is. Here are some pictures I took when I was over there.

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Look at that pretty rooster face baby! Isnt he just handsome? So so sweet too.

So I headed back out down the driveway, taking a few pictures of some of their horses out in pasture...


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We made a trade...guineas for three buff orpington hens that he didnt care for. He says they seem kind of dumb. Not unheard of, I have a few red star hens that look like there is nothing there, just empty space...when you look into their eyes. Buff orpingtons were my first chicks ever though and I hold a strong love for that breed so I gladly took the girls. Here above is a picture of them still at his house. I have them in a pen for now so they can see the flock and the flock can inspect them without any fights breaking out. My silver laced wyandotte hens tend to always be looking for a chance to assert their dominance and one kept doing just that yesterday evening. She would go over to the pen and flare up, a hen in the pen flared up and they would be sizing each other up. I would make the wyandotte go on, but she would be back in minutes.
There may be some fussing when I put them in with the others but after a few days things will settle down. Well this is getting kind of long so I am going to wrap it up for today. After I left the neighbors house I stopped over and visited another good neighbor...but I will talk about that tomorrow, with pictures of course. :) Everyone have a nice Monday!

11 comments:

Janie said...

Glad a new page pops up because I read as I comment. :) This is so much easier. I wish I lived closer to you because we would have bought some guineas. We had an old truck for years and was youngest son's first automobile. Great photos and thanks for sharing. Hope you have a blessed week. Janie

Beth said...

When I read your title about "hello to new chickens," I immediately started singing "Hello, Chickens, well hello, Chickens" to the tune of "Hello Dolly." I hope that doesn't last long, but it's stuck in my head right now!

Looks like the guineas have a nice new home, and so do your new chickens!

Hugs, Beth

Paula said...

Yep its always good to have an old truck around. I remember growing up we went to a little grocery store in the country and they had guineas running all around in front.

Hollie said...

Well at least you know that they will be taken care of. Your new chickens are pretty...

Jimmy's Journal said...

The chickens are beautiful. Looks like the trees are changing their colors, as well.

Jimmy

Unknown said...

love all your pics!!!

Lisa said...

It looks like your guineas went to a good home. That makes the parting easier I'm sure. From the pictures it looks like they've got a nice place and all the birds look healthy.

Hope your new girls fit in well with the flock when they all get together.

Goatfarmer said...

Pretty pictures
Terrie

MammawsDecorativeArt said...

You don't say much about your love for photography but you do so well. I love your shots that capture personalities and expressions and the shots of the scenery too. Makes me want to paint again. If I can find the time...
I know that parting with the ginneas had to be hard. I think you mad a good trade though for everyone concerned. Welcome to the new babies!

Nelishia

Helen said...

Your poor guineas look so scared and all huddled together. I hope they adjust to their new home quickly. You made some great pictures. To bad something got two of their ducks. If they don't catch whatever it is they all will be gone pretty soon. Have a nice afternoon. Hugs, Helen

Adirondackcountrygal said...

Those are some great pictures Kelly! Glad you are enjoying your new chickens, somehow the trade doesn't seem fair to me.. :)