Guinea growth
The guineas are growing up. There's fourteen left - two disappeared along the way. They're still running along usually like one school of fish behind one hen, but sometimes they break into a couple of groups, and even get caught alone. Then there is shrieking, when they look up and realize everyone's gone. I'm alone!They're SO fast, and they can fly quite well. They're starting to make their transition from brown stripes to black and white dots, but they still have the bright orange feet.They're also lost their "chick immunity", and can and will get pecked for being rude, especially by the layer hens. One of the guinea cocks seemed to be being a real jerk, chasing and attacking the chicks all the time. But I have a theory that that's a developmental strategy, like play fighting or wrestling, that he's teaching them the art of escaping attack (try catching one). Especially since the hen is right there letting him do it.In the morning the group fills the feed platter, literally. They eat, get full quickly, and then depart. I give them a chance and then let the chickens out. Through the day the guineas spend their time quite far afield (or awoods), sauntering through chicken land at times for a snack.The adult flock escorts the chick flock less. One hen has resumed her partnership with a cock and the two of them travel together independently. The other pair and the bachelor accompany the chicks.