This week has been filled with little dramas and a big event.
I’ll start with the big event… The Peep Palace (thank you, Aerin, for the name) aka Villa Beau Bo, has ventured into phase 2 of development. This is because we decided that Bo needs to start sleeping outside. However, despite the fact that The Peep Palace has been complete for five days, Ms Bo is still sleeping indoors. I think you may as well call it indulgent parenting…
The new Peep Palace aka Villa Beau Bo with sleeping quarters and all...I should add that indulgent parenting now extends to full scale maggot production. Yes, I know, ick. But what can one do. Bo needs her protein and the easiest thing to do is to "grow our own". She thinks they're wonderful!
Yummy, juicy maggots...
Bo guzzling maggots - I guess someone has to
But in addition to the events, we have the dramas.
On Monday one of the new, very tiny peeps, fell into the pool. I was working inside when I heard frantic peeping. I rushed out and there it was, running in the water… I scooped it up and was charged by Papa Guinea. I ignored him, as is my wont. I wrapped the peep in a small towel and dried it as best I could. Then I did the only sensible thing I could think of to get the rest of the wet off it. I stuck it in my shirt. And there it sat for 15 minutes while Papa Guinea hurled every sort of abuse at me, standing up on his toes, his wings flaring. Daft bird. When I finally removed the small peep, it was dry, warm and fluffy and only too happy to return to its family, despite Papa Guinea’s torrent foul language. So now you know, if you have a wet baby bird, for goodness sake don’t terrify it further with a hairdryer, just pop it in your shirt and let it dry naturally.
Papa GuineaI trotted inside and an hour later was back at the door as I heard all the adult guineas blasting the warning call into the air. A rufous-chested sparrowhawk swept across the lawn, flying low, talons extended – and five guineas, ground birds at the best of times, chased after it. The sparrowhawk made off empty-taloned.
On Wednesday I noticed that there were ailing keets amongst the brood. They looked off-colour and were wobbly on their tiny pins. Yesterday I found one who looked particularly pathetic and though loathe to intervene, I scooped it up. Papa Guinea shrieked at me and then wandered off. I held the peep in my shirt for a while, then popped it on my hand to see what it would do. It bounced off and scuttled towards the family in the shrubbery. At that moment all hell broke loose as every guinea in the vicinity started hecking at a volume which would have raised the dead. The neighbourhood dogs started barking and the keets disappeared into the undergrowth. Thinking it was baboons, we hightailed it inside too.
An ailing keet
When we emerged a few minutes later we saw the small ailing peep appear on the lawn. It plopped itself down in the sun and just sat there, a pathetic heap of fluff. The family ambled off, the parents happily abandoning the weak one. Out I trotted, gathered the little one up and popped inside my shirt. And so we remained for most of the day except for the time I had to go out. When D came home, he got it to take some water laced with glucose, vitamins and anti-stress powder from a dropper. Then it guzzled some maggots and millet and by the time we put it to bed in a box with Gilbert we were hopeful it would make it.
Sadly, it died in the night and poor D was greeted this morning with the sight of the little peep in a state of rigamortis. He said it looked like it had died in a convulsion because its little body was spasmed.
One does what one can but it seems these little birds succumb to bugs or lurgies which just wipe them out. We think about four have died – though it’s so difficult to count them as they scurry about. Of the original thirteen, it seems there are now between eight and ten left. And they are still only about a week and a half old. If one thinks of Bo’s flock of 20 of whom only 2 (excluding Bo) survived, then one realises just how high the mortality rate is.
Papa Guinea looking wistfulIt’s so interesting to watch the parents. They simply walk away from the weak ones. If the little ones can’t follow or keep up, so be it.
As for Papa Guinea, he has determined that I am his mortal enemy. His charges are becoming more irate. So much so that I may soon be obliged to have a certain conversation with him. It will go something like, “Listen mate, I’ve eaten your kind before…”
And as for Ms Bo in her new home, well, she decided today that I am public enemy number one. I have no idea what I’ve done, but I daren’t go near her because she works herself into a frenzy which leaves her trying to fly through the confines of her cage, causes her run up and down in a demented way, or hide, squeaking, behind the plants in the Palace. Even an offering of juicy cutworms hasn’t appeased her majesty’s high dudgeon. I guess I’m in the dog house. Or is that the bird house?
POSTSCRIPT: As I have sat typing this, another baby has died on the lawn. Also, it seems, having convulsed. There is clearly something sweeping through these little birds that is just wiping them out. All told it’s not proving to be a good day.
Rest in Peace, little ones.
Saying goodbye.I know this is not the sort of image you want to see, but this is part of the reality
Mama Guinea and her remaining brood
34 comments:
I admire your dedication to one fowl. It speaks of your goodness.
Aw, thanks, Gail, that's so sweet, especially after having my mother assure me that I'm crazy - again! :-)
My dad use worms or what these were for fishing.
av: it is part of the reality, isn't it? Usually, the dying happens out of sight in the wild, but it's part of the whole cycle, nonetheless.
as for people calling your crazy, my usual response is usually something along the lines of: "yes, isn't it glorious? You should try it too!"
best to you, to the birds and, well, to the maggots too.
Love all the pics, EXCEPT maggots UGH!!! hate maggots ever since got chased down the road by one...ok it was in the hand of a friend they don't actually run that fast.
xx
very sad story.....don't like to think of the wee ones perishing.
i know it is nature....but i don't have to like it!
you a not crazy in a negative way....just in that unconventional, generous spirited and giving way. take it as a compliment and wear the badge proudly.
don't fret about bo....perhaps she is entering the equivalent of bird puberty....think of her as not unlike a 13 year old human child....she will mellow.
be well,
storm
Yummy maggots, high in protein too!
Thank You for your nice comment.If you like birds,maybe this link will be helpfull www.birdforum.com
It's hard to see 'nature in the raw' like that. But it's great the Guineas have someone like you who cares.
As for Ms Bo, well, she needs to learn what side her juicy cutworms are juiced on.
Oh I'm actually relieved. I saw your Facebook comment and thought it was Bo who bit the dust! Sounds like something's ailing them alright. Better keep the 'special one' apart from them for a few days just in case.
oh dear. so sad to hear, nature can be brutal, beautiful and brutal, for sure. maybe bo is greiving for the lost little peeps.
i am feeling a little traumatized myself after looking at those squiggly maggots,ugggg is right!
xxx lori
So sad. Mother Nature has her way, although it can be very cruel.
You lead quite the different life! I love reading your blog.
SO sad, but yes it is the way of the wild. The only solution is to capture them all and feed them turkey starter with Amprolium and keep them dry until they feather. It is NOT the way of the wild to do this... we do it here with our domestic Guineas, and lose very few. The way of the wild, the strong ones will survive, will breed and be squawking at you next year! Thank you so much for what you have done with my favorite animals on the planet. I think you are bit... or should I say Beaked?
That's a pretty high rate of attrition.
Poor little things, but as you said, part of the reality.
But hey, I thought I was first with Peep Palace! :) If not, cheers to Aerin, great minds thing alike!
The way of the wild is harsh indeed but it sounds like they have to be pretty hardy to survive in the natural world. I'm glad Bo is OK it looks like her adult feathers are coming in. Maggots are a much maligned creature. No, they are not beautiful but they are an excellent source of protein, are fantastic for cleaning diseased and necrotic tissue from open wounds and they make great fishing bait. I'd much rather a maggot than a fly any day.
As for the poor departed keets, may they rest in peeps. (too soon for bad puns?)
(I took a little internet break this week. Should be back in circulation again over the weekend.)
it seems being a godmother is becoming a full-time occupation by now... your dedication is amazing ;-)
Yep, maggots are very good for luring fish, Ropi!
Yes, RLB, this is part of the reality - survival of the fittest. It's hard to see in suburbia where we are so used to being able to save things, or at least try to.
And thanks for the "crazy" vote of confidence! :-)
Well, um, yeah, I was wondering FireByrd, thinking wow, that must have been a fast maggot! :-) I can't say I like them much either but they are an excellent source of protein for lil' Bo.
xx
LOL, I love your take on Bo's "puberty", Storm, I think I will adopt that attitude! Actually, being a girl she seems, typically, far more fond of her "father" - mind you, he is the bringer of maggots! ;-)
Yep, um, er, yummy indeed, Squirrel! :-)
Thanks for stopping by, Richard and thanks for the link!
Ah, but Pat, Ms Bo is a girl with "views"! :-)
Yes, I realised from your response on FB that you thought it was Bo, Baino. By mere dint of the fact that she's caged, she is kept pretty much away from direct contact with the little ones and I also think she now has her own immunity.
Ah well, what can I say about the maggots, Lori - my only hope is that they all turn into a large plump guinea fowl - aka Ms Bo - instead of turning into flies!
Maggots I can just deal with, but flies - urk!
Thanks, Mary, so glad you enjoy the blog!
The think is, Anonymous (who I'm guessing is from the GFIA!), these are wild birds and I'm loathe to intervene unless I really have to - even though it's so sad to see the keets succumbing to illness and suchlike.
The guineas live in and around the neighbourhood, coming and going as they please. Most of us around here have learned to only involve ourselves if we have to - not because it's a case of being hardhearted, but because this is part of the reality.
Curiously, there are people around here who see them as "vermin" and I recently met a woman who berated me for feeding them and keeping an eye on them, claiming there were far too many of them and they were too noisy. Oh well, live and let live, I say.
But now, I don't think I'm beaked :-) - I do the same for the squirrels and any other creature that comes into my space and needs help (wanted or not).
Oh dear, did I get it wrong, humble and grovelling apologies, Megan, I thought it was Aerin who coined the term Peep Palace - but hey, that's what happens with old age the brain starts to resemble a swiss cheese... ;-)
Yep, I'm with you, Janey, maggots rather than flies any day.
And yes, Bo's adult feathers are coming in, her comb is starting to show, as are her very tiny wattles - and she's loosing the "fluff" on her face and is turning "blue". Growing up, is our young lady!
And yes, noticed you'd been a bit quiet - but as I well know, a break is often necessary.
Being a godmother is proving to be far too much of a full time occupation, Bart - life is getting hijacked by guinea fowl! :-)
You are doing as much as you can and the nature takes its course, as you said the mortality rate has to be somewhat high among them since so many hatch in the first place. If all survived and their own brood survived well, numbers would have skyrocketed. Still, it's very sad that they go to bird heaven at such a young age.
Bo is one lucky guinea fowl to have you and D to look after her. Perhaps it's a growing up (like a teenage tantrum) thing she did to you. She is now beginning to think you don't know everything and she doesn't have to listen to you. Bah!
Gx
We are certainly doing the best we can, Gaye, even though that involves a fair degree of well-admitted blundering and trial and error, but more I'm not sure we could have done. The mortality rate is high and that's the reality. One does what one can and I am not given to interfering with nature unless absolutely necessary.
As for Ms Bo, what can I say, she is most definitely a bird with views and listening is not her strong point though she does generally have plenty to say for herself!
aw, poor peeps
maybe Ms Bo doesn't like sharing you with the other little ailing peeps
So worrying about your tiny peeps and so, so sweet that you try to save them in your shirt. Oh, it is difficult when you become so attached. (I did that with an abandoned kitten once - popped him under my Tshirt. He fought bravely, but sadly he died. I called him Impi and buried him under a mango tree)
Now I know why your FB status said you had a small fowl in your shirt,a few days back :)
Am sorry about the baby,the second last pic is heart-wrenching.
Take care dear.Love to the fowls.
*Hugs*
Oh poor little peeps. I know it's the way of the wild and as beautiful as nature is, it is hard not to feel a little sad. You are so good to do what you can.
Awww RIP little ones.
I think you need to say "vasectomy" to Papa Guinea ;D
I know, Lettuce, it's very sad and now, of course, I'm counting them all the time to see how many there are. And I swore I wouldn't... Sigh.
It's not so much about being attached, Tessa, but just about wanting to do the right thing to help the poor wee mites have a better chance of survival. I'm pretty practical about it all, but if I think I can help, then I feel I should try.
I'm sorry about your little kitten, so very sad.
Say Impi and I immediately think of Johnny Clegg ;-)
I will gladly pass on your love to the fowls, Sameera, the fictional and the real ones!
Thanks, Rob, one does what one can, I think it would be inhumane to just ignore them.
Ha, I have a better plan for Papa Guinea, Miladysa - I found a wonderful Jamie Oliver recipe for you know who today... Muahahahahahahaaaa. Poor things, although I have tried guinea fowl in the past, now, having made their acquaintance, I could never eat eat guinea fowl again! That's me cured! Now to sort out Papa Guinea... :-)
aw thats so sad about the little peeps. but i am very impressed with the extension to Peep Palace! wow. you guys are pros at this now.
I kept reading Papa Guinea as Papua New Guinea.... Well done on all you have achieved with this xx
And the saga continues. I love reading this and Miss Bo really is still quite small isn't she? Will you ever be able to let her go?
That was smart putting the baby bird in your shirt. I hate it when the big birds act like they are going to flog me...well chickens in our case. They can be intimidating! And I was flogged as a child, it hurts.
Personally, I think we're starting to take things a bit far, Val! :-) xx
Yes, MD, Ms Bo is very small, totally undersized for her age. As for letting her go, I really don't know. It might yet prove to be the kindest thing to send her to the bird sanctuary where she will have more space and be safe - although not entirely free.
Well, Papa Guinea had a go at me of note today, Deana - I'd rescued a peep who'd been left behind and was meeping plaintively. Papa Guinea first charged me, screaming abuse, then, after I stamped my foot at him, he flew up on the roof and dive bombed me. I assured him that I had an excellent recipe for guinea fowl! ;-)
Mama Absolute - your dedication to the brood is commendable:-)
I love this post, the highs and the lows. I wonder what you've done to upset Ms Bo? Maybe she's hitting the adolescent strop stage:-)
Great minds "thing" alike? Man, I hate when I ketch thuh mispeling vyrus...
:)
Hello,
I've been offered 2 unwanted Guineas & have been seatching the internet for info. It has been great reading your site & looking at the pictures. Just the other-half to totally convince! We have 25 hens already & he's a trained carpenter so what's there to think about!!
I think it must have been an adolescent thing, Lane, because a few weeks on and she thinks mum's okay and dad's the bad man! Teenagers, I tell you! ;-)
Well, Megan, they may think, thing and sing alike - I don't mind if you don't! ;-)
I'm not sure where you are, Poppy but have you spoken to the folk at the International Guinea Fowl Association? As you say though, you already have a whole lot of hens, your husband's a carpenter so um, yeah, where's the problem! ;-) Good luck with it all!
I just joined Blogspot this morning while waiting for the rest of my peeps to hatch. It's nice to see there are others with the same spot in their hearts set aside for these wonderful and entertaining birds. I look forward to reading everyones posts. So hard to lose any of the little dears. Sorry for your loss.
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