No, this isn't about the two interacting, which has happened and probably will again.This is just some ruminations about what I have observed about behavior in the two species.

Let's talk Guineas first. Technically I had Guineas before I had chickens. I've had them for a few years now. But it seems I learn something new about them at every turn. 

For the first time I'm getting to experience what it is to have Dad a very active participant in the raising of his keets. In the past I've seen a passing moment but its been two and half weeks since these keets hatched and Dad is still the predominate keet care taker. He is the one that verifies that all are there. He is the one who calls to them to come eat the tasty treat. And when a keet wants to be snuggled its Dad that hunkers down and calls the keet to him. 

And for those that don't know, Guineas are fiercely protective of their little ones. A female can do a lot of damage if you don't use care when around her and her flock. Now add in the Dad equally as protective and it becomes a laughable moment as the human is dodging talons to rescue a keet stuck in a spot not meant for keets.

 Now the deer,White Tails to be more specific. We live on acres, not huge acres but enough acres. At the moment we know we have two doe with young ones and three of last year's babies living here on the property. I find that surprising since even though we are on acres I wouldn't think that many would share the space at one time.

I've been discovering some amazing things having them here. Much of what hunters believe to be true, isn't. Probably the most apparent truth that has fallen is the deer movement schedule. Supposedly they don't move around during the middle of the day. I see our deer at all hours, day or night. They move in to the open when they decide to move, not on some human schedule. Babies are also nursed out in the open in the field. We watch as they grow and bound across the field playing games.

The most amazing thing is to realize that they have grown accustomed to my movements here and the sound of my voice. Many nights as I begin to close up coops there are the deer grazing within as little as a hundred feet. Almost completely unconcerned about hearing me or seeing me moving about so close to them. 

And for those that are wondering if I feed them, the answer is no. They forage for themselves but there is no threat here which they come to understand. 

Dang it, its hot and the humidity is creeping up. I've been going out a couple times a day to make mud puddles for the birds to cool off in. I know, white birds and mud makes for a pretty ugly picture. But better ugly than, well, you know.

I had my first paint chicks hatch a week ago. First thing I noticed is that they are stronger and more capable than any other Silkie chicks. I had noticed it with the d'Uccles, how they had know problem getting up in to the hanging feeders but the Silkie chicks never could manage it. Well, enter the paints. Very little seems to stop them from getting where they need to go. 

I've done a little updating on the site but more needs to be done. But its time to go check on the birds and fix dinner so I guess its time to get to it.

You all stay safe this Summer. Keep the birds cool and when you need something to help you relax just go visit your coop.

And I'm so relieved. The heat and humidity had us all barely able to cope. But cooler weather has moved in and its been all hands on deck getting caught up outside. BTW, all hands means me.

Today was a fun day. My friend Jaynie needed a new male Silkie for her flock, she called me do you need anything? Well, yeh. Always. So she gets the male she wanted and says hey, my friend needs a female. Well, the breeder surprised us both by sending five Silkies. That was an unbelievably generous thing for her to do. They are all birds to ooh and aah over. 

So today Jaynie and I met up for a bird swap, she had a little male she picked up for me at a show (and what a hansome boy he is) I didn't attend, a split black male and a lavender female to add to my flock. And then we went shopping. (Girl time) Afterwards we divvied up the birds, she took three of the five and I brought home two. (hubs knows about one and nothing about the rest) Wow, look how many birds hatched while you were gone and look, they're all feathered out. 

So it was a good day, she got home safe, I got home safe and the little white she picked up for me is already having crowing duels with the Silkie coop.

Some months ago my friend, Jaynie, gave me a pair of mottled d'Uccles. Little D's as we call them. There is a black male, named Shoester and his blue mate Prissy. Jaynie kept telling me how adorable these little guys are. How entertaining they can be.

So I have a pair of little D's and she was so right. They are everything she said and more. Even the hubs, who thinks I'm nuts, likes them. 

Priss has decided she wants to set on some eggs. So that's where she spends most of her day. In the afternoon its time for a break and she stands at her door jump/flapping straight up in the air to let her wishes be known. I open her door and she makes a bee line for her destination, the first day was the sand pile for a good dust bath. Yesterday it was to the mud holes I made for the chickens to keep cool in.

She started making all these sounds of utter delight running from one mud hole to another. She was so vocal about it all the birds out free ranging came running thinking that I was there with goodies. They gathered around her and studied what it was she had that they didn't and once they figured out it was just mud they all looked at me like it was my fault.

In a couple of weeks I'll get to see what kind of Momma she is and not long after that we'll have a whole passle of little D's to keep us entertained.

The stuff? The stuff is the heat. Its bad here. The Silkies are up in their coop with the AC on. Remember the mud holes? I turn the sprinkler on, it helps cool the air a bit while on but the more important thing is the wet ground, the water puddles and the eventual mud. Its gone a long way in helping the birds keep cooler. 

The only birds I have confined are the Silkies but they have AC, the others all have the opportunity to find spots to spend time in an effort to remain cool. 

Its time to go out and do my rounds once again. Its also getting close to that time of day that Prissy is ready for her afteroon break. Keep your birds cool by any means that works for you and remember to keep the human well hydrated too.

Normally this would be about the farm, the animals and the birds. Tonight I want to say something that I think is important for our country and its citizens.

Its becoming more and more evident that our elected officials can not or will not take the steps necessary to put the people back to work that elected them. So its time for us to do it for ourselves. 

The fact that incumbents are in for a rough road come election time is finally out there but its not enough to fire them. The citizens of this country need to become more serious about all of the crap made in China that is coming to our country.

I've been paying attention for about two years now as more and more the China creep as gained footing in our stores. Even the higher end stores now sell only products coming predominately out of China. Enough.

When you see that made in China on the box put it back. Make a point of notifiying the store and the manufacturer why it remained on the shelf. Contact your elected officials and let them know how displeased you are that so many Americans are unemployed because of the outsourcing. Let them know that unless something is done to bring the jobs back within our borders be very concerned for their own jobs come election time.

Let's make an impact. I've been trying for a couple of years now but more voices being heard will have a bigger impact.

Thanks for taking the time to give my words some serious thought. Robin