Guinea Hen Update

I haven't said a word about the guineas since all the excitement after the first batch hatched. It hasn't gone well. The three that the banty was mothering are now only one. There was a second batch of 5 that hatched a week ago. I put them in with the banty mom and she was happy to have them. Then one of the adult guinea hens discovered them and decided she was their mother. She drove the banty away from them and the 5 little babies started following her around the horse pasture. That was fine for awhile, but by the next morning, there were no babies to be found.

I think these momma guineas are a bit like the fish in Finding Nemo named Dori. She can't remember what you said to her a minute ago. These guineas are the same way....easily sidetracked. I sort of suspect that one minute she is happily mothering and the next minute a gnat flies by, she follows teh gnat and can't remember that thirty seconds ago, she had children.

I will just keep the next hatch in my brooder system (an old water tank) rather than letting anymore irresponsible mothers do the job.


Last night Kathryn had dog 4-H and was so excited because they let the clover bud kids run their dogs through two of the agility items. Emma went through the shortened version of the chute, which is a box with a cloth tube attached to it. She flew through like no big deal. And then she jumped the hoop like she had done it all her life. I suspect this dog is going to love agility when she and Kathryn reach "full-fledge" stage in 4-H.

Suzanna has started getting serious about working her heifers. The Dairy Days show is only two weeks from today. She is finding out it is a bit easier reminding them what to do compared to last year when she was breaking a calf to lead.

We ended up back at the fairgrounds last night. We had to check out the lighting after dark with our fair director. There is a 3rd of July celebration going on tonight with kids games, food, a concert and fireworks at dark. It nearly didn't happen this year and that is why it is on the 3rd. Hubby is the electrician for the fairgrounds and needed to be sure that the areas were lit enough to get people out safely after the fireworks. I suspect we will end up in there this evening since the kids are up to date on what is happening and how it will all take place.