Boarding School

Remember that early morning in May that I took a trip to the Post Office
to pick up my 30 baby guineas?
Well, those guineas are adolescents now.
And are now attending Boarding School.

(Here is Gus, Headmaster of the BeeHaven Birdbrain Academy.)


Yes, that's right...
On Sunday, they packed their bags and moved out of their coop
into their newly renovated "guinea tractor"
under the shade of the spreading boughs of Job, our 200+ year old pine tree by the barn.
This guinea tractor will serve as classroom and accommodations for the next several weeks.


It is here that the 16 remaining (long story) keets will complete their guinea education,
hopefully learning basic survival skills before being released into the "wild" of the farm.
That education is rudimentary at best due to the minute size of their guinea brains!
It is our hopes that they learn from Guido, Gus and Giuseppe
that the old pine tree is the place to roost at night.


If guineas find a safe night time roost, they have a better chance of survival.
Otherwise, night predators can take a big toll on the flock.
In the past, we have tried to lure the birds back into a coop for the night...
not an easy (basically impossible!) task with guineas.



Gus is several years old.
Guido and Guiseppe are three years old.
So, you see, after raising 2 groups of 30 guineas each,
we only have 3 left.
We are assuming that these three are just "smart" enough to survive.
It is our hopes they can teach the youngsters.
Time will tell!

Comments

Country Gal said…
WOW ! They have grown a lot ! The farm down the road from us has Guineas and they often come for visit and a tour around , Miggy doesnt like them and chases them off or more to the point she wants to play and well they dont lol ! Great photos . Have a good day !
Junebug said…
Good Luck, with the education that is. Teeny tiny brains don't retain a lot! Love the pic's!!
I hope you have a few graduates too. It doesn't seem like a huge feat to graduate from Bird Brain Academy. Ha Ha. I do like the look of their feathers though.
You have to be very determined to raise guineas, I guess. I don't think I could handle the high rate of loss with those "less than brilliant" bug eaters. Fingers crossed they all get gold stars in school and live long productive lives.
Unknown said…
Good luck, I love that they will be wild around the farm. I will wait to hear more tails in the future!
BaileyWife said…
So funny! Just found your blog and Love It! I too have a yard full of guineas....and chickens and peacocks and turkeys and cows and cats and a donkey and a dog! Whew....come visit me sometime, I am now a faithful "follower" :)~Kim
Kim said…
What a wonderful tree. I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to roost in it.
Kris said…
Good luck with this lot! My neighbor has them, and they are so fun to watch!!
This N That said…
It's nice to know that you're not giving up on those "not so smart" guineas..I hope you have better luck with this brood..It won't be your fault if they succumb to their environment and their little brains..Good luck to you and them as well.
JeffJustJeff said…
You can't lure your guineas back in and I can't lure mine out. They have the barn and a electric netted pasture. I've chased them out of the pasture and they spend the rest of the day pacing back and forth on the outside of the fence trying to get back in.