It's pretty chilly here this morning. Temperature in the 40's. All the babies made it through the night and that makes me happy...
In cold weather, baby guineas are about as fragile as a pot of Impatients. A few years back a guinea hen hatched twenty some babies. Thinking we were doing the right thing, we left them with their mother to raise. We found dead babies scattered about the yard and woods, in every patch of wet grass, and lost in the tall grass around the pond. That mother guinea made it home that first day with only five babies.
Seems there is always a little sad news to go along with the good. An owl caught and killed one our six adult guineas a few nights ago. The guinea was missing Thursday morning . Thursday evening when I went to close the chickens up for the night they were all squawking and carrying on. Some were even trying to get out of the lot. There had to be a predator lurking around. I yelled for Poppy. He came running out with his shotgun. He did hear a noise in the woods so he fired a shot into the air. When he did, an owl flew from a tree right outside the chicken house. All got quite for the night. Then last night the same thing happened. Again Poppy fired a shot and the owl flew. Thankfully, the guineas had sense enough to roost in a different tree.
Curious about the new babies...
Wonder if the guineas are warning Smokey about the mean old owl...
Looks like the meeting is over...
Guess I had better head back outside. The last of the peppers need to be picked before I can finish cleaning up the garden.
Oh, one more. The colors are kinda pretty here...
Looks like it will be the middle of November before our leaves are really pretty. We still have mostly green.
Thank you for visiting. Hope to be back soon.
Love,
Henny
I should have put in my post that little Smokey really is safe at night from owls and other predators. He is now sleeping with big Eli and Weetie on the enclosed front porch. Smokey also has his own bed on the front porch. :)
In cold weather, baby guineas are about as fragile as a pot of Impatients. A few years back a guinea hen hatched twenty some babies. Thinking we were doing the right thing, we left them with their mother to raise. We found dead babies scattered about the yard and woods, in every patch of wet grass, and lost in the tall grass around the pond. That mother guinea made it home that first day with only five babies.
Seems there is always a little sad news to go along with the good. An owl caught and killed one our six adult guineas a few nights ago. The guinea was missing Thursday morning . Thursday evening when I went to close the chickens up for the night they were all squawking and carrying on. Some were even trying to get out of the lot. There had to be a predator lurking around. I yelled for Poppy. He came running out with his shotgun. He did hear a noise in the woods so he fired a shot into the air. When he did, an owl flew from a tree right outside the chicken house. All got quite for the night. Then last night the same thing happened. Again Poppy fired a shot and the owl flew. Thankfully, the guineas had sense enough to roost in a different tree.
Curious about the new babies...
Wonder if the guineas are warning Smokey about the mean old owl...
Looks like the meeting is over...
Guess I had better head back outside. The last of the peppers need to be picked before I can finish cleaning up the garden.
Oh, one more. The colors are kinda pretty here...
Looks like it will be the middle of November before our leaves are really pretty. We still have mostly green.
Thank you for visiting. Hope to be back soon.
Love,
Henny
I should have put in my post that little Smokey really is safe at night from owls and other predators. He is now sleeping with big Eli and Weetie on the enclosed front porch. Smokey also has his own bed on the front porch. :)
Aw, those babies are sweet. She looks like she'll be a good momma. I would worry too about large birds, even for Smokey.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he could be put somewhere at night out of harms way.
ReplyDeleteOh Deb, I'm sorry I scared you. I've just added a note to my post about Smokey. He is very protected from predators at night. Wish you could see him snuggled under big Eli. I got rid of the bed under the shop. Smokey has a bed on the front porch. :) The front porch is enclosed. Thank you. :)
DeleteThat must be a big owl to carry off a guinea hen. Glad Smokey has his BIG brother Eli to make him feel safe and snuggly. The chicks are so cute huddled around their mama's feet and that is an interesting "hat" she is wearing!
ReplyDeleteCute chicks! Yes that was an important meeting between Smokey and the Guineas! An Owl can take out a cat just like that so it is good that Smokey is safe at night. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful instalment, it was lovely to see all the babies safe and a lovely meeting with Smokey.
ReplyDeleteI think that Smokey thinks he's a guinea hen!
ReplyDeleteJane x
So glad Smokey is safe at night. A few years ago my daughter's cat was killed by an owl. Her kitty accidentally got out at night and was dinner for a large owl! She was traumatized by it. Now she has an indoor kitty that never goes outside. We have coyotes, owls and hawks that prey after pets. We never can let our chihuahua out alone. You new babies are so cute!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Darlene
I love seeing your slice of nature. Reminds me of my grandparent's place when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteI had a suspicion that Smokey might end up indoors. . . :) !
ReplyDeleteAnd too bad about the owl. I really like owls, but they are as much a predator as the daytime hawks.
When our cats were kittens, I didn't let them go outside until they got big enough to make a hawk think twice.
Oh the babies are so cute. Smokey is so pretty! I am so glad Smokey gets along with the dogs!
ReplyDeletelove you
Sorry to hear about your loss. I've been told it comes with farming though. Doesn't make it any easier.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Smokey has adjusted so well. Hope you all have a great, safer week. ♥
If Smokey got too close to the guinea chicks, would the mother go into attack mode?
ReplyDeleteHave to admit I'm not real fond of the guineas that live next door and are in our driveway much of the time. My impression is they're as dumb as mud. Just posted a photo on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about guineas, except that I have heard they eat ticks. The babies are cute. Still waiting for color change here..hope not much longer.
ReplyDelete