by Audrey Stallsmith
We need to remember where the guinea came from in order to understand where they came from! It originated, appropriately enough, on what used to be called the Guinea coast of Africa. However, that region gained its name from the Berbers agueno (“The Man in Black”) is not a bird
themselves.
Introduced to the rest of the world first by the Roman occupiers, and later by the Portuguese colonists in the 16th century of Guinea, foreign birds have adapted to life in colder climates. But they don’t have to like it!
Dealing with the cold
“Guinea is back in bed,” Dad reported one winter morning years ago after a heavy snowfall overnight. Back then our birds were perching high in an old corn bed. They seemed to have flown out, took one look at the white stuff, and decided it was a good day’s sleep.
Although our current experiments would come out when the snowfall is light, they tend to wander inside the barn instead when drifts pile up outside. Fortunately, they used to track herds of wildlife in Africa or forage on the forest floor under trees full of monkeys. Therefore, they have learned to find sustenance in the droppings of other animals, whether you take that word to mean manure or spilled fodder.
These days, they simply traded herds of elephants and antelopes for cattle, pigs, and sheep. Although guineas have access to a foraging room, they are hardworking birds, and seem to prefer scavengers to sponges.
On less white days of winter, they will ascend to the area beneath them
Feeding birds for millet and milo (sorghum). These spherical pellets, often included in bags of cheap birdseed, are not
It is popular with most songbirds. But I always buy some anyway because Guinea loves it. Perhaps millet and milo remind them of Africa, as these wild plants grow there.
Pairing between the parents
Back in their freer days, guineas often traveled in flocks of up to 300 birds, inhabiting both the African savannas (grass plains) and the more open forests of that continent. They tend to pair up during the mating season, however, they are monogamous or monogamous by nature. This last term means that they may not choose the same partner next
year.
The pair would make their nest in a hollow on the ground, which they still do, usually in a hidden location. Often, though, you’ll get multiple hens from the flock rearing in the same nest, even though no one seems to be walking around.
Already laying eggs. They all probably think another bird would do it!
In recent years our beliefs have not seemed to lean so much on raising the young themselves, but it may be because they are waiting
The weather is warm and dry by African standards. And the drought part hasn’t happened here in western Pennsylvania for several years now.
Back in the days when we were blessed with more reasonable weather, I was too late to get around the weeds and tall grass among the big rose bushes one summer. When suddenly a guinea fowl appeared
It burst out of its hidden nest, perhaps it was the fear we gave each other
It took a few years of our lives. I backed off and let her keep those weeds and weeds.
Last summer, I found a clutch of eggs hidden behind large leaves in my rhubarb patch. I left her in the hope that one of the guinea fowls would consider doing some brooding. However, another creature—possibly an opossum—helped itself to the eggs before that happened.
Dealing with moisture
I think the reason guinea fowls lose so many young to the cold and damp here in the States is that they didn’t have to be as persistent
About keeping their little ones warm and dry “back home”. In Africa, the climate will be drier, and the male will often help take care of the keet. It rarely occurs in farm herds.
Another pair of eyes might help, as the guinea fowl often doesn’t notice that it’s been left behind. A neighbor girl brought me a couple of monkeys once, which her mother had lost. Fortunately, after the birds are completely out of feathers at about six weeks, they seem to be able to withstand most extreme weather.
However, one white guinea pig inexplicably changed its color to brown in the middle of spring this year. This bird died two days later, although it did not look bloody, as it would have been if it had been flown by a predator. Guineas chase each other a lot during mating season, so I think the unfortunate white bird may have got into a mud hole and never managed to dry off properly at a time when it was still cold and snowy intermittently. Although a Free Guinean is hard to find, perhaps I should have tried nonetheless, to provide him with an even warmer environment.
recovered.
Foreplay of the sexes
our yard helmets (Numidia with turkeys) They derive their species name from the Meleagrides, the Meleager sisters in Greek mythology.
They sobbed so much over their brother’s death that an enraged Artemis turned them into birds whose feathers were shed with white tears. According to this tale, the female guinea pig still calls out “Come back!” Of course, some people interpret this annoying call as a more realistic “buckwheat” instead!
Male guineas speak in single-syllable words instead. They are also supposed to have larger helmets and shields than females and to walk longer.
As I mentioned above, guineas hunt each other in the spring, with males fighting each other or chasing females. that it
Entertaining to watch the birds’ legs churning while their bodies seem to remain aloof, but I am relieved when that phase has passed as I always feared they would run each other to death.
Although Guineas can fly, when necessary, an ability that has helped them avoid wildfires in Africa, they seem to prefer a mad dash. When we consider that the original predators must have included lions and
Crocodiles, we can understand why they are such nervous birds!
meeting relatives
The Meleagrides are not the only members of the guinea family native to Africa. In fact, I’ve recently had a hankering look at pictures of the oddly beautiful filter-type (Acrylic eagle). The largest of the guinea fowl, they must be fearsome with an eagle-like head and red eyes. However, it also boasts a striking head of striped, blue, black and white feathers, and is supposed to be one of the easiest genes to tame.
When I learned that a pair of these birds could set me back $1,500, I quickly subdued my obsessive instincts! In fact, a single egg can cost $50 or more. Another expensive variety is the crested guinea fowl (Gutera Pochrani), who is shapely black, surrounded by white dots and lines, and wears a curly black wig. type plumid (Gutira plumifera) dresses in gray and blue instead with a higher, straighter hairdo.
white-breasted guinea fowl, Agelastes meleagrides, now considered threatened in the wild. In addition to the white shirt front referred to by its common name, it has a red cape and a black bustle. “my brother”Nigeris the red-masked black guinea of the family.
Since most of us probably wouldn’t be able to afford exotics, we’re in luck because the most popular type of helmet comes in a wide range of colors. If you incubate eggs from a mixed flock, you will usually get several scores. We’ve covered the white, chocolate, and pied genes as well as the popular pearl gray.
And although the African coast was not named for them, Venus was. bells Fritillaria melegris They are often called “guinea fowl” flowers, because their complex, mottled coloration is thought to resemble those of birds.
Also, if you notice a sudden change in the appearance or condition of any of your birds, you may want to try holding that bird and keeping it warm for a while – just in case. I’ve heard that a large fishing net works sometimes for fishing. But do not attempt to lift the bird by its feet as you would a hen, as guineas are prone to foot and leg injuries. And they wouldn’t be able to manage their typical movement if they were limp!
AUDREY STALLSMITH is the author of the book I will say thyme A series of gardening-related mysteries, one of which received a starred review in
Booklist and another best selection of romantic times. Her e-book of country comics is titled Love and the other madman. Live
On a small farm in western Pennsylvania.