November 27,2011
As I rolled over in my warm bed trying to figure out what had wakened me I listened to the sounds outside my window. The cold late November air was pierced again with a sound I’ve became use to over the years.
“Aaaaaa” like rapid machine gun fire, something had the guinea fowl’s in an uproar, but it didn’t concern me. Anyone that has ever raised guinea fowl knows that all the guineas in the world share one brain cell and it is never your birds day to have it. Something as simple as a leaf blowing in the wind can set them in a tizzy.
As I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep the guineas continued sounding their alarm cry and soon Piper Peacock joined the chorus “Onk heee, Onk Hee” as the rooster crowed and the geese joined in honking their intruder alarm. The cacophony of startled bird cries was soon joined by Sir Oliver Inkwell sitting on the bedroom window sill meowing loudly.
Okay, so now the critters have my attention. Freeing myself from the bed covers I fumble for my eye glasses on the night stand and go to the window to see if I can see what is going on.
For several seconds I stood watching the birds to get a clue as to where the intruder was. The birds had the big cedar tree outside our bedroom window encircled. They definitely had something trapped under there, occasionally I could see rapid movement fleeing from one side to another under the skirts of the large tree’s ground touching branches.
Whatever it was it was fast, but moving as if possibly injured. Cat maybe? No I only saw two legs. Guinea after guinea would charge under the huge cedar at whatever it was and then dart back out as the quickly moving shadow would alternately run at the guineas and flee from them.
Piper Peacock paced nervously around the tree honking her dismay at the whole procedure. Piper doesn’t care for any changes in her world what so ever (well except for maybe wanting a male added to the flock). She honked and voiced her opinion loudly. The geese stood back watching the whole display cheering the guineas on honking their approval as each guinea charged under the tree. Repeat Rooster stood on the back porch railing crowing, but offering no real help as tiny Turk the Turken hid under the back deck.
I continued to watch as I reached for the clothing I had laid out the night before. Just then the shadow charged after another guinea foray and stepped out of the shadows of the tree.
A small young brown hawk ran limping from the tree to over by the house. The guineas soon cornered it near the compressor as it flapped its wings and charged back at them.
He was fully puffed out his speckled feathers standing on end and looking quite stressed. He made an effort to fly away from his tormentors, but hit the fence of the garden and landed in the flock of geese that had been watching the whole spectacle. The geese separated and looked at the small bird like “yeah right, You’re a chicken hawk, but we’re not chickens.” They didn’t even bother to run off because the bird was so small and obviously injured.
I turned and told Gary what was going on. He was quickly dressed and out the door. To see what needed to be done. While hawks aren’t welcome around here, we don’t want any animal suffering. The guineas were determined they were going to pay this young hawk back for every keet other hawks had ever carried off.
I kept an eye on the hawk from the window until I saw Gary going toward it. Then headed out to help him.
When I arrived in the side yard Gary was watching the sky. He said that the hawk had recovered from bouncing off the garden fence and in a panic when it saw him had gathered enough strength it had swooped skyward and flew off over the trees to the west of the house.
He said the flight was labored and it seemed to be dangling one foot a bit, but it had gone far enough the guineas couldn’t get to it and it had landed in a tree that he was pointing at. The tree was several acres away from our location, so we did not try to follow.
Of course the guineas strutted around for several minutes after that telling the world how they had beaten the mean old hawk, as the much wiser geese just looked at them indulgently.
Little Turk, who is the smallest of our free ranging birds finally came out from under the porch and snuggled up with Repeat as if to say “My hero.” Apparently the inexperienced young hawk had tried to get her not realizing he would not fit through the lattice of the porch like she would and had crashed into it injuring himself.
We surmised this by the hawk feathers near where Turk had been hiding. Earlier this week Turk had been running around with two chicks, they of course had disappeared. We figured this hawk is probably how they disappeared and he came back thinking he was a good enough hunter to get Momma bird too. Boy was he wrong.
I doubt that particular hawk will ever be back as long as the guinea crew is on duty.
Jan who is up for the day and ready to decorate for Christmas in OK
Showing posts with label guinea fowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guinea fowl. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED--A BLAST FROM THE PAST STORY
April 13, 2011--I've been posting on various yahoo lists my latest adventures with baby birds. Those stories reminded me of this blast from the past one from 2004.
July 28, 2004
First of all let me say to those of you that don't know me personally that despite my towering height of 5'0" I am not a petite person, I am quite round, so scurrying quickly is not a thing I do. Nor is bending over, crawling around easily or any other such aerobic activity.
Today, so far, has had a series of valuable lessons that I thought I would share for those of you who may or may not be new to homesteading:
1. While leaning a board inside the coop for guineas to nest behind may sound like a good idea consider how you will retrieve eggs from behind said boards if they extend well behind the roosts for the birds. We didn't and today I had to. On hands and knees with my Gopher Grabber reaching tool and basket I crawled under the roosts it was not pleasant. The Muscovy duck, Lady Rachel, who had decided she liked the guinea accommodations better than her own small coop and thus had gone broody next to the nest of guinea eggs I was robbing was not amused at being disturbed. I became very thankful for the Gopher Grabber which kept my arms away from her hissing bill.
2. When you have a guinea hen broody in the coop on 66 eggs REMIND your dh that when he puts the birds up at night he should MAKE SURE Mama hen is on her nest and not locked out of the pen for the night. The eggs are in the 'bator now, but it was a very cool night for OK, we'll see. They were near their hatch date.
3. Day old baby Muscovy ducklings can march right through chick wire. This lesson was learned when I was preparing my lunch and heard baby ducks in distress. Running outside I saw 4 ducklings marching straight out to guinea hens who thought they were pecking material.
4. Day old baby ducklings are EXTREMELY fast!
5. All larger duck backsides look the same to baby ducklings.
6. Older sibling ducklings DO NOT want their younger brothers and sisters under their backsides and will peck the newly hatched ones HARD!
7. All older ducks will flog you if they think you are going to hurt a duckling.
8. Even the best trained dog will get excited when Mom is chasing a small tasty morsel and the bigger ducks are chasing Mom. While they didn't eat one they barked and snickered at it all a lot not great for Mom's ego or ears.
9. When blocking all the bottom wire one should remember the chick wire that runs BEHIND the feeder and ramps.
10. Once baby ducklings get under a coop that is surrounded with chick wire on all 4 sides you better figure out a way that you can get Mama duck out of the coop and away from the other 10 to call those other two. Because they are faster than you and you aren't going to get them out on your own.
11. The only way to put additional boards behind the feeder and ramps once the other two are back to Mama Duck is to do it from inside the very messy duck coop. ON HANDS AND KNEES. YECH!
12. Once you are certain you have blocked all exits for the baby birds one will climb a corner and go out above the boards just to prove it can, it too is extremely fast.
13. Once you are certain AGAIN you have all exits covered and you are now ready for a scrub down and have lunch another will escape just as you take your first long swallow of Pepsi.
14. The third time you are certain you have them all blocked safely in you thank God that it is a cool day and you can keep the windows open to listen for more escapee sounds.
15. You contemplate bird netting on the outside of the run wired up tight to the chick wire, all the way around and very high up.
16. You cancel a much needed shower until reenforcements arrive to help you untangle the bird netting and get it up for fear they will escape again.
17. You now know you MUST enlarge the duck housing facilities immediately . Those older siblings might hurt the younger ones when it comes time to settle down for the night in the too small coop.
18. You develop a headache when you realize that you have a broody duck in the guinea coop and you get to play this game all over in three weeks when she hatches her dozen out.
19. Cedar needles in the hair and under clothing hurt.
20. You better learn to laugh at yourself because everyone else is.
These are valuable lessons learned today, hope they save someone else my scurrying around trying to nab little and yellow and black ducks as they flee under the low lying cedar trees. Jan who is most certainly glad no one had a video camera going today in OK
July 28, 2004
First of all let me say to those of you that don't know me personally that despite my towering height of 5'0" I am not a petite person, I am quite round, so scurrying quickly is not a thing I do. Nor is bending over, crawling around easily or any other such aerobic activity.
Today, so far, has had a series of valuable lessons that I thought I would share for those of you who may or may not be new to homesteading:
1. While leaning a board inside the coop for guineas to nest behind may sound like a good idea consider how you will retrieve eggs from behind said boards if they extend well behind the roosts for the birds. We didn't and today I had to. On hands and knees with my Gopher Grabber reaching tool and basket I crawled under the roosts it was not pleasant. The Muscovy duck, Lady Rachel, who had decided she liked the guinea accommodations better than her own small coop and thus had gone broody next to the nest of guinea eggs I was robbing was not amused at being disturbed. I became very thankful for the Gopher Grabber which kept my arms away from her hissing bill.
2. When you have a guinea hen broody in the coop on 66 eggs REMIND your dh that when he puts the birds up at night he should MAKE SURE Mama hen is on her nest and not locked out of the pen for the night. The eggs are in the 'bator now, but it was a very cool night for OK, we'll see. They were near their hatch date.
3. Day old baby Muscovy ducklings can march right through chick wire. This lesson was learned when I was preparing my lunch and heard baby ducks in distress. Running outside I saw 4 ducklings marching straight out to guinea hens who thought they were pecking material.
4. Day old baby ducklings are EXTREMELY fast!
5. All larger duck backsides look the same to baby ducklings.
6. Older sibling ducklings DO NOT want their younger brothers and sisters under their backsides and will peck the newly hatched ones HARD!
7. All older ducks will flog you if they think you are going to hurt a duckling.
8. Even the best trained dog will get excited when Mom is chasing a small tasty morsel and the bigger ducks are chasing Mom. While they didn't eat one they barked and snickered at it all a lot not great for Mom's ego or ears.
9. When blocking all the bottom wire one should remember the chick wire that runs BEHIND the feeder and ramps.
10. Once baby ducklings get under a coop that is surrounded with chick wire on all 4 sides you better figure out a way that you can get Mama duck out of the coop and away from the other 10 to call those other two. Because they are faster than you and you aren't going to get them out on your own.
11. The only way to put additional boards behind the feeder and ramps once the other two are back to Mama Duck is to do it from inside the very messy duck coop. ON HANDS AND KNEES. YECH!
12. Once you are certain you have blocked all exits for the baby birds one will climb a corner and go out above the boards just to prove it can, it too is extremely fast.
13. Once you are certain AGAIN you have all exits covered and you are now ready for a scrub down and have lunch another will escape just as you take your first long swallow of Pepsi.
14. The third time you are certain you have them all blocked safely in you thank God that it is a cool day and you can keep the windows open to listen for more escapee sounds.
15. You contemplate bird netting on the outside of the run wired up tight to the chick wire, all the way around and very high up.
16. You cancel a much needed shower until reenforcements arrive to help you untangle the bird netting and get it up for fear they will escape again.
17. You now know you MUST enlarge the duck housing facilities immediately . Those older siblings might hurt the younger ones when it comes time to settle down for the night in the too small coop.
18. You develop a headache when you realize that you have a broody duck in the guinea coop and you get to play this game all over in three weeks when she hatches her dozen out.
19. Cedar needles in the hair and under clothing hurt.
20. You better learn to laugh at yourself because everyone else is.
These are valuable lessons learned today, hope they save someone else my scurrying around trying to nab little and yellow and black ducks as they flee under the low lying cedar trees. Jan who is most certainly glad no one had a video camera going today in OK
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A PEACEABLE KINGDOM?
As some of you already know my ds got laid off yesterday due to budget cutbacks. We were all pretty blue yesterday, but in our world you don’t have time to throw pity parties for long. So last night ds filed for unemployment then went to bed at his normal work day time.
He has been a very busy fellow today. He went back by the office and picked up his stuff he forgot to get after receiving the stunning news, then on to run some minor errands. Once home he gathered up big logs he and dh had cut up before we left town—since there is suppose to be a cold front coming through this weekend he thought he might want to be warm. LOL!
He spent the rest of the afternoon splitting firewood. He called during one of his breaks with the following happeninga on the ranch.
He had gone in for a drink of water and left the front door open to allow the cats to come and go as they wished, this is something new for the cats. They’ve always been totally house kitties, but the kitties have been fighting a lot so we decided to see how letting them get some fresh air would work. He said he might have been napping a bit when all the sudden he felt movement on the love seat next to him. Opening his eyes he looked right into the brown eyes of Misty Georgia, our middle child dog. Now to some of you this might not seem strange, but in the 7 years Georgie has been a family member she has never been in the main house. She shares the sunroom with her two sibling Jolie Marie and Drifter Moon. She politely laid her head down in Sean’s lap and sighed as if she’d been waiting to do this for a long time.
Since Georgie is our dog that absolutely loves to roll in anything stinky Sean decided that it might be best if the two of them moved to the porch. So he coaxed her outside with him and they sat in a sunbeam enjoying a light breeze. After a bit he heard whining where Georgia had been. Only it didn’t sound like Georgie. Opening his eyes again he looked around to see Drifter Moon, the big black mutt that is the youngest of the three dogs, looking VERY DISTRESSED. Sean said so much white of Moonie’s eyes was showing you could barely see the brown of the iris. He said Drifter would whine and then cut his eyes to the side and then whine again.
Looking around to see what the problem was Sean said he had to burst out laughing. Amy Jo, our fat grey and white tabby cat was giving Drifter Kitty Hugs, rubbing her head against him and purring to beat the band. Since this was Drifter’s first contact ever with Amy he was freaking out. Amy apparently thought Drifter was her new best friend. Drifter on the other paw wasn’t sure what was happening. Remember Drifter is not our brightest animal on the farm, so any change in his world is distressing to him.
A short while later Sean had Murray, his Tuxedo cat following him around as he pumped water out of the pool we now collect rainwater in. He watched as the big black and white cat moved confidently through the large flock of milling birds. For the most part the birds ignored him. Three guineas charged at him, but Murcat stood his ground and the goofy birds grew tired of the game quickly. He moved all around sniffing everything—this outdoor stuff was great! That was until, he got to close to Melanie, a dainty brown Chinese goose. Sean said Mel-Mel didn’t hiss or anything, but her mate-Magellan, a big white Embden gander, did. Gel-gel grabbed Murcat’s handsome tail and yanked it as only a goose can.
Sean said Murray went 16 directions at once! He went looking for him since the cat hit the ground running after such a rude maneuver on the goose’s part. Sean finally found him in the house frantically clawing at their bedroom door trying to get in with the kitten—who is not being let out until she’s spayed (MY ORDERS).
So it sounds like life is going back to normal at the Rock ‘n Tree Ranch.
Jan who says aren’t spring days and farm animals enough to bring a smile to your face?
He has been a very busy fellow today. He went back by the office and picked up his stuff he forgot to get after receiving the stunning news, then on to run some minor errands. Once home he gathered up big logs he and dh had cut up before we left town—since there is suppose to be a cold front coming through this weekend he thought he might want to be warm. LOL!
He spent the rest of the afternoon splitting firewood. He called during one of his breaks with the following happeninga on the ranch.
He had gone in for a drink of water and left the front door open to allow the cats to come and go as they wished, this is something new for the cats. They’ve always been totally house kitties, but the kitties have been fighting a lot so we decided to see how letting them get some fresh air would work. He said he might have been napping a bit when all the sudden he felt movement on the love seat next to him. Opening his eyes he looked right into the brown eyes of Misty Georgia, our middle child dog. Now to some of you this might not seem strange, but in the 7 years Georgie has been a family member she has never been in the main house. She shares the sunroom with her two sibling Jolie Marie and Drifter Moon. She politely laid her head down in Sean’s lap and sighed as if she’d been waiting to do this for a long time.
Since Georgie is our dog that absolutely loves to roll in anything stinky Sean decided that it might be best if the two of them moved to the porch. So he coaxed her outside with him and they sat in a sunbeam enjoying a light breeze. After a bit he heard whining where Georgia had been. Only it didn’t sound like Georgie. Opening his eyes again he looked around to see Drifter Moon, the big black mutt that is the youngest of the three dogs, looking VERY DISTRESSED. Sean said so much white of Moonie’s eyes was showing you could barely see the brown of the iris. He said Drifter would whine and then cut his eyes to the side and then whine again.
Looking around to see what the problem was Sean said he had to burst out laughing. Amy Jo, our fat grey and white tabby cat was giving Drifter Kitty Hugs, rubbing her head against him and purring to beat the band. Since this was Drifter’s first contact ever with Amy he was freaking out. Amy apparently thought Drifter was her new best friend. Drifter on the other paw wasn’t sure what was happening. Remember Drifter is not our brightest animal on the farm, so any change in his world is distressing to him.
A short while later Sean had Murray, his Tuxedo cat following him around as he pumped water out of the pool we now collect rainwater in. He watched as the big black and white cat moved confidently through the large flock of milling birds. For the most part the birds ignored him. Three guineas charged at him, but Murcat stood his ground and the goofy birds grew tired of the game quickly. He moved all around sniffing everything—this outdoor stuff was great! That was until, he got to close to Melanie, a dainty brown Chinese goose. Sean said Mel-Mel didn’t hiss or anything, but her mate-Magellan, a big white Embden gander, did. Gel-gel grabbed Murcat’s handsome tail and yanked it as only a goose can.
Sean said Murray went 16 directions at once! He went looking for him since the cat hit the ground running after such a rude maneuver on the goose’s part. Sean finally found him in the house frantically clawing at their bedroom door trying to get in with the kitten—who is not being let out until she’s spayed (MY ORDERS).
So it sounds like life is going back to normal at the Rock ‘n Tree Ranch.
Jan who says aren’t spring days and farm animals enough to bring a smile to your face?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
BANDANA COVERED FACES
This is a repeat of a story I wrote years ago about activity here on the Rock 'n Tree Ranch. I hope you enjoy it.
BANDANA COVERED FACES
She rose early, the deed had to be done if they were to protect part of their livelihood. Neither of them cared for what needed to be done. There was no getting around it. She knew that they would need strength and stamina for what lay before them.
Quickly she prepared a simple, but filling breakfast of biscuits and gravy, while he tended to the wood burning stove. Adding sufficient wood to keep it burning while they were away from the house.
Once breakfast dishes were cleared they discussed their avenue of attack. Stalling she put the beans that would be part of today's soup on the wood burning stove to cook. She truly dreaded what they were about to do.
Outside he was hooking the mule to the wagon as she gathered their bandanas and supplies. It would be a short trip. His shot gun was placed in it's holster on the mule, just in case.
Once they arrived he quickly threw a rope over a stout beam in the barn. He would need it's strength to lift the dead weight later. Together they removed any items that might hamper what they had come to do.
Her voice muffled by the bandana that covered one half of her face she said "Let's get this over with" His eyes above his bandana looked straight at her as he said "Guess, we'd better do this before all the stock gets sick and dies."
Outside the stock made nervous noises as they milled about. Uncomfortable with what was going on in their barn. The man and woman worked quickly. Removing the problem by the wagon load. Occasionally there would be loud sounds from the young stock trapped inside.
At one point she traveled back to the house to add the remaining ingredients to the soup pot and check the stove. He labored hard while she was gone.
Five hours after they started, both covered with a fine layer of dust. Bandanas thick with the debris of their labors they silently lowered the dead weight back to the ground and removed the rope from the beam. All looked as it should.
Terrified the young stock allowed themselves to be herded into realms they neither recognized or really wanted to see. They had no choice. Movement was essential to survive.
Back at the house the soup warmed and filled their bodies on this cold November afternoon. Tired and sore they knew that the stock would now be safe and healthy for the next 6 months. For this they rejoiced, they had not enjoyed the job at all.
It was time to relax and celebrate. The young had been moved safely. The block and tackle had worked perfectly to raise the massive roost to make the cleaning easier. It would be six months before they had to clean the guinea coop again! It was a job well done.
LORD I hate cleaning the Keet Kingdom!!! LOL
BANDANA COVERED FACES
She rose early, the deed had to be done if they were to protect part of their livelihood. Neither of them cared for what needed to be done. There was no getting around it. She knew that they would need strength and stamina for what lay before them.
Quickly she prepared a simple, but filling breakfast of biscuits and gravy, while he tended to the wood burning stove. Adding sufficient wood to keep it burning while they were away from the house.
Once breakfast dishes were cleared they discussed their avenue of attack. Stalling she put the beans that would be part of today's soup on the wood burning stove to cook. She truly dreaded what they were about to do.
Outside he was hooking the mule to the wagon as she gathered their bandanas and supplies. It would be a short trip. His shot gun was placed in it's holster on the mule, just in case.
Once they arrived he quickly threw a rope over a stout beam in the barn. He would need it's strength to lift the dead weight later. Together they removed any items that might hamper what they had come to do.
Her voice muffled by the bandana that covered one half of her face she said "Let's get this over with" His eyes above his bandana looked straight at her as he said "Guess, we'd better do this before all the stock gets sick and dies."
Outside the stock made nervous noises as they milled about. Uncomfortable with what was going on in their barn. The man and woman worked quickly. Removing the problem by the wagon load. Occasionally there would be loud sounds from the young stock trapped inside.
At one point she traveled back to the house to add the remaining ingredients to the soup pot and check the stove. He labored hard while she was gone.
Five hours after they started, both covered with a fine layer of dust. Bandanas thick with the debris of their labors they silently lowered the dead weight back to the ground and removed the rope from the beam. All looked as it should.
Terrified the young stock allowed themselves to be herded into realms they neither recognized or really wanted to see. They had no choice. Movement was essential to survive.
Back at the house the soup warmed and filled their bodies on this cold November afternoon. Tired and sore they knew that the stock would now be safe and healthy for the next 6 months. For this they rejoiced, they had not enjoyed the job at all.
It was time to relax and celebrate. The young had been moved safely. The block and tackle had worked perfectly to raise the massive roost to make the cleaning easier. It would be six months before they had to clean the guinea coop again! It was a job well done.
LORD I hate cleaning the Keet Kingdom!!! LOL
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