Well I finally had weather so I could finish the fenced yard around the garage where the Guineas live. It was 90 degrees and 70 dew point and 72% humidity last Thur. Fri. Sat but finally got NW winds and cool air on Sunday afternoon. While listening to the Drags at BIR I got the fencing done and just need to top it off with a walking plank of sorts in the next few days. So I opened the 2 doors and let nature take its course. From inside the garage the critters were all very skittish about this new scenery. I put white millet, their treat, on the landing and soon their craving took over. They grouped up at the door, afraid but curious and soon the Alpha male stepped out to the new world. He was followed soon by more and then my camera batteries went dead just as some clown in the pack, shoved forward and 3 of them went tumbling/flying to the ground where they ranged around for 2 hours. I had to hand grab them later in the evening to get them back in, they have yet to discover the ramp but they will. They sure have very loud alarm call they make too but its all cool. :thumbsup: I will let them out each day and when they are mature enuf they will fly up to the landing boards on their own, then over the fence to free range but they will stay close as they get a feel for the 'hood' they are in.

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I have a question for you, farmer Jim....How do you intend to keep those guinea pigs warm in your bone chilling, harsh winters?.....Or, will they be eaten before winter sets in?

So Jim - just wondering when you're gonna become new a "Sponsor" on here for you're lastest financial venture ...
"Jim's Amazing Guineas" l:)

Never know, could be the next "Pet Rock" :D

John

They can keep very comfy in the garage in their pen, its insulated and a 50w bulb will always be on in winter to add some heat. They will move toward it or away from the bulb depending on what their needs are. They will even go out into the snow on a sunny day, getting their heat from the sun.
Pet rock? hmmm good idea. I can get a clown like you John to pay me $500 a bird but you have to come here to get them. :D

Jim, any problems with coyotes or foxes? looks pretty rual out there. My dad used to raise "tumbling pigeons". Those were a blast: they'd be flying overhead and if you clapped real loud they "tumbled" through the sky. I've heard they are on the endangered list though.

foxes are around and occasional coyote but not near us, too residential with yard dogs in the area, coyote stay away, Either way, the pen will keep the foxes out and the Guineas can fly up and roost on a roof or deck or tree limb in a flash, they are VERY fast.

My parents have been thinking of getting some guineas of their own.. We heard that they are great for ticks and fleas and such...

wood ticks, deer ticks, grasshoppers, asian beetles, plant bugs, grubs, anything that hops around in grass or garden is dead meat for these guys. Have them buy the book "Gardening with Guineas", great resource.

... I can get a clown like you John to pay me $500 a bird but you have to come here to get them. :D


You dress them out and cook them before I come by and it's a deal l:)
I'll be glad to bring a quart of my special 'Guinea Sauce' too :thumbsup:

Besides, anything that rhymes with Guinness just has to be delicious :yes:

You are lookin like quite the country boy.......

you know with all the reality shows out there, I may contact a few friends of mine in the t.v. biz and see if they want to do a reality show on these little guys: "GUINEAS AT THE FARM". (Yeah, Jim, I'm stealing your title, but that's show-biz) They already have a show on Animal planet about some rodent (something "Manor"). Of course, in t.v. there has to be some emotional attachment. So, at the end of each episode, Jim and his wife would select which guinea gets tossed on the grill for not putting out the effort during tick-patrol.

Charlie you are so right. I buy feed at the fleet farm store, grit, cracked oyster shells, turkey meal, fence wire, and I get to stomp around the yard doing chores. Sometimes with a long piece of grass in my mouth to chew on :D

Mark, go for it. They can pay me $50,000 to be on display :)

you know with all the reality shows out there, I may contact a few friends of mine in the t.v. biz and see if they want to do a reality show on these little guys: "GUINEAS AT THE FARM". (Yeah, Jim, I'm stealing your title, but that's show-biz) They already have a show on Animal planet about some rodent (something "Manor"). Of course, in t.v. there has to be some emotional attachment. So, at the end of each episode, Jim and his wife would select which guinea gets tossed on the grill for not putting out the effort during tick-patrol.


I can see it now:

Episode 1- Guineas at the farm
Episode 2- Guineas having fun
Episode 3- Guineas learning to fly
Episode 4- Guineas eating their poop
Episode 5- Guineas cleaning up their pen
Episode 6- Guineas attacking other Guineas
Episode 7- Guineas getting bored
Episode 8- Guineas bath time
Episode 9- Guineas grooming their young
Episode 10- Guineas getting in to it
Episode 11- Guineas loosing their feathers
Episode 12- Guineas making love
Episode 13- Guineas acting dumb
Episode 13- Guineas doing tricks
Episode 14- Guineas disguised as Guinea Pigs
Episode 15- Guineas getting slaughtered for dinner

And the final episode will have the film crew at the supper table enjoying their Guinea feast and farting when they're done because Guineas produce a toxic gas!:yes:

Ron, I like your style. Particularily any episode where sappy music can be played over the action... maybe "Chariots of Fire" music played when they are learning to fly. Or the music from the "Halloween" movies in episode 15 when they get slauhtered. Of couse, we'd have to follow Jim around with a camera for when he starts crying while he has to do the slaughtering. Man, this is rivoting t.v.

Move over Little People, Big World.....Here comes the Guineas!!:thumbsup:


Oh my God!....I gotta get out of here.....These buds are making me thirsty!!

I'm thinking music from the Godfeather.......errrrrrr, Godfather.


Jim........I like your place and your projects. I live in the same sort of setting and you're giving me ideas. The wife isn't happy with the guinea idea for us though.

buzz

OH NO! I just saw where Tornados have touched down in Minn. Jim, protect the Guineas! Maybe you should build them a storm cellar.

They are tough... probably get a kick out of a ride in some fast wind :D

Of couse, we'd have to follow Jim around with a camera for when he starts crying while he has to do the slaughtering. Man, this is rivoting t.v.

Do you raise them to eat Jim or for their eggs?

Or a little of both?

Do you raise them to eat Jim or for their eggs?

Or a little of both?

Ahh, a newcomer to the saga of the Guineas!

Neither, Jim's just waiting to cash in on their t.v. fame... he's a stage-dad, you could say.

I got them cuz they eat lyme disease bearing deer ticks, wood ticks, grasshoppers, asian beetles and other assorted menace bugs. :)