Guinea Chicks

The other morning, as Johnny was doing his farm chores, caring for the chickens, walking around with his ever present homemade axe (I'm not really sure why... maybe it's for the intimidation factor when dealing with the chickens ;) and little bucket, there was suddenly a disturbance in the tall grass near the chicken house. And whom came trailing forth from the long grass, but the Momma Guinea hen who had been sitting for neigh a month now, followed close behind by none other than her brood, in 'walking' instead of 'eggling' form!

 We've had guinea hens sit a few times without ever reaching their hatching out, for various reasons, so this was a very exciting achievement!

 We quickly gathered them up with Momma in a big, safe box to keep them from the temptation of the cats and other predators. One of our males (presumably 'Daddy') has been sitting faithfully outside the box, running threateningly at any cats or chickens that get too close.

Of twenty eggs, we have fifteen chicks and, I hope I'm not jinxing myself, but we have yet to lose one!

Cute, eh?

Hard to believe they're all doomed to turn into this:

But actually, that is one of our homestead's best pest controllers and protector patrollers. 

Seriously, don't knock 'em till you try 'em!

Oh, and that other Momma hen decided her kids were grown so she dumped them one night and just started going back in the coop with the other hens. 

Maybe she was growing tired of her leg being pulled...

"uh... kids?"

Shh, I won't tell her if you don't! :)