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August 10, 2007

News from the Donovan Farm

This afternoon, after 4 hours of interviews, I looked at my calendar and realized that this was the first hatch date for my guinea fowl eggs, and I had not set up the brooder for the keets (baby guineas) yet. Also, the automatic egg turner was still on, and I had visions of poor little mangled birds dead in the contraption.

So I raced out to the farm, after stopping to get the medicated chick starter and I also brought Kiki with me (our blab - half bloodhound, half lab). We got out to the farm, and Kiki jumped out of the car and started chasing S'mudge - our barn kitty - S'mudge went up a tree, but later on taught Kiki a lesson by pouncing on her feet from under my car.

So anyway, back to the guineas - I went into the kitchen (where the incubator is) and I could hear cheeping. I was almost afraid to look.
Two keets had hatched. One was definitely okay and all dry and the other was kinda caught in the egg turner, but I grabbed her out of there as fast as I could and held her close to keep her warm while I tried to set up the brooder with my other hand. I think the second one will make it, but I'm so glad I thought to check the calendar and check the dates for my flock to start hatching. There are 4 other eggs with peeps coming from them - and I could see the beaks through the little holes the keets are making.

Anyway, the first and strongest keet is named Georgia O'Keet - unless of course, she is a he, and then it will be George O'Keet. The second one is Mandy.
I have them all set up with a red lamp and water and food in the brooder.

Kiki and S'mudge were very interested in the keets. Kiki was very upset when Georgia was pecking a bit at Mandy, and I was afraid she was going to pick one of them up and mother her to death.

There is a lid on the brooder now, so the keets are safe from the household pets.

I forgot to bring my camera, so I'll run out first thing in the morning and get some pictures - geeze, I hope they live through the night!

Posted by Beth at August 10, 2007 8:51 PM