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Thanks for being here! Keila
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First of all, let me say, I am not a fan of birds. I have had many traumatic run-ins with them throughout my life – from Quaker Parakeets (small parrots) to African Greys to Cockatiels – and many more. They have drawn blood and held me hostage. Being held hostage by a Quaker Parakeet is mighty embarrassing, but …
So, when my seven-year-old daughter claimed she wanted chickens, I was a bit hesitant, but decided the eggs and bug control might be worth it. After all, they would just be in their coop, or wandering the yard. They would not require my interaction.
We purchased six Guinea Fowl and six Barred Rock egg layers. I was looking for chickens that would be fairly easy to keep as beginning chicken-owners. I wanted good egg producers, low-maintenance and reasonably friendly for my daughter’s sake.
Guinea Fowl are extremely noisy. Like shockingly so. But they are excellent for pest control.
Two of the Guineas died within the first year by predation – don’t get the white ones, they appear less smart or aware of self-preservation. The three lavenders hung on for a long time, as did the Princess male. He was a gorgeously colored bird, as far as Guineas go, but could often be found atop the garage, squawking loudly over his domain. His name was Popcorn Box – I don’t know why, but it came from the creative mind of a seven year old, and it stuck.
The two males we have left are the descendants of Popcorn Box.
Our Guinea Hens managed to raise three batches of young; nesting in the weeds and leading the young to the coop shortly after they hatched. It was an interesting process to observe. It took the females two or three attempts at nesting before they found success. The males would guard and bring food to the nest at this time for the females, though unreliably. They were not great dads. We kept only a few of the young over time and placed the rest into the care of eager new homes.
As the chickens grew, they became the playmates of my daughter. They had been well-handled from the time they were fuzzy little chicks. They could be found swinging, taking wagon rides, and even sledding in the winter. She thought I should knit them sweaters. I don’t knit. They did not get sweaters.
All the birds were entertaining to watch from the relative safety of the deck, but then, they discovered they could climb the three steps and hang-out with us fun food providers. Or my daughter would bring one to me, begging me to pet it. So, I did. I got used to it after a while, but it’s still not my favorite thing.
My daughter is now seventeen and headed off to college in the fall. Our flock is down to two male Guineas and one older Black Australorp chicken. We have decided to add more chicks again to rebuild our flock of egg-layers. But who will collect the eggs?
Each of the poultry have unique personalities. I didn’t expect that, but it causes them to grow on me. They become pets. I have no desire to use them for meat at the end of their egg-laying life. I’ve discovered I enjoy having them around. At a distance. They're so cute when they’re baby chicks, and they grow so fast! But as adults, they’re beautiful, too.
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Thank you for reading! Maybe I am on my way to becoming just an old chicken lady, whose greatest joy in life will be tending to my flock.