Looks like we made it! Guinea hen nesting/laying season is over, and everyone survived (most notably the humans who were trying to keep up with the learning curve). You can read our post about the start of nesting season by clicking here. Our two female guinea hens did challenge us with switching around of nests. We wanted to keep them in the nest close to the house, but since they both seemed to want to lay their eggs at the same time, they insisted on having a second nest (even though everything we read said that they would share one). In our last post, they had two nests with one near the house in the barn garden, and one behind the stone wall. We’d been wanting to cut down overgrown brush in that area, and hubby finally got around to that, and inadvertently destroyed that nest area (he thought he knew where it was, but he was wrong!).
We weren’t thrilled with the next location they chose behind the garage, but in the end we decided to let them keep that one (did someone say “uncle”? Mostly we were just giving up on the battle!). We were afraid they’d move further away again….they’d been spending a lot of time in the woods further from the house, and we didn’t want them moving to there.
Mostly the guinea boys kept a close eye on things, though towards the end it was Harry and Sally behind the garage and Harry was mostly good about being with her most of the time. I also tried to always check on them, and could occasionally be heard yelling at Harry to get over and watch the nest! We kept collecting the eggs for eating or selling, just sold our last dozen, and we are still enjoying some of them ourselves now (Luke still gets an egg every other morning for breakfast, and he’s fine with the guinea ones!). From the beginning, they consistently laid an egg every day, but then just over a week ago, they missed a day here or there, and eventually stopped completely.
I think the boys are just as happy to be done with nest watch, and now the flock sticks pretty closely together, cruising around the yard and in the woods, raising a racket here and there. Harry and Sally are sometimes still seen on their own, so I guess they are an official couple. They kind of seem like the parents of the group, more quiet and serious than the silly boys. They all seem to put a lot of miles on in one day, here, there, and everywhere, then back to the coop for a snack or a drink! In the short video below, they are quietly enjoying simply hanging out on the lawn, and all you can hear is the sound of the wind and their quiet happy chirping.
It’s also nice not to have to worry about them being out of sight when on the nest behind the garage. We did have a fox come through not too long ago, in that exact area. But the guinea hens alerted us to its presence and we were able to chase it off.
I can’t say that it’s totally peaceful…they can still get pretty noisy when they’re off in the woods exploring, but they seem calmer and happier overall! We enjoy both their happy chirping and their crazy squawking and we can all now relax and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Guinea Fowl are so cool! We learned about them when we were watching Homestead Rescue recently.
They really are! Now that sounds like a show we need to watch….I’ve set it to record now! Thanks for mentioning it!
Your struggles with the Guineas reminds me a lot of my struggles with Bear when he was younger. I am stubborn. But eventually, I conceded defeat.
Well, it’s tough to admit that our animals might be smarter (or at least more stubborn) than we are. LOL.
So glad everyone stayed safe. I love them.
Well, stay tuned….there may be more to the story yet. 🙂
The guineas are such interesting birds! We’re glad all went well with nesting season.
We’ve definitely been learning a lot about them, and just when we think we have them figured out…..
The Guineas are such busy birds! They make such a cool noise too. I think all birds can be really loud when they want. We had a cockatiel that could make you want to scream when he decided to “holler”. LOL!
You may be right about that, because our chickens sure make their share of noise as well! 🙂
I love to watch birds. They are quirky little buggers. I love to hear them talking too.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
It’s so fascinating and enjoyable to simply watch them go about their business around the yard!
Glad to hear things are calming down. How nice to see the hens enjoying themselves in all the wonderful green grass!
I think they get the most use out of yard than anyone else around here!
We enjoyed that video, they really are some cool ones and I’m glad all is peaceful now.
Well….mostly….they may have decided to add to this story….stay tuned!
Their happy chirping is wonderful to listen to!
It’s so relaxing!
What fascinating creatures! Glad things are mostly peaceful.
I think they are going to keep us guessing, but they really are fascinating to watch!
Glad peace is back to the farm and nesting time is over for another year. Hope your piece stays.
That remains to be seen!
are that weimaraner chickens? we see some similarities LOL
I’m often comparing the birds to Luke….LOL!
Happy to read that everyone survived the nesting season, including the Momz, Dadz, and big brother Luke!! The guinea hens do get around!!
What makes me nervous is when they are quiet, and I have no idea where they are! LOL
They sure do move around a lot. It would be fun to put a fitbit on one to see how far they do go in one day 🙂
It sure would! But we’d have to get close enough to them to do that….we are allowed to look but not touch. LOL!
Too bad chickens can’t be trained to use commands like dogs, right? Glad things worked out fairly well for the egg laying season.
I have heard they can be trained to do tricks!