Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I'm so Proud of Him...

It's been a big accomplishment for this good dog to get even better, and accept the new flock into his pack, but he's done it! Yesterday, Labor Day, Ole was left off his lead the whole day and not a feather was ruffled! This morning we celebrate with a picture and a smile!
A note of sadness we have lost two male guineas due to male aggression. Now that they are allowed to roam free without having to be cooped up to give Ole his free time, I hope that this aggression will end. The biggest problem we face is that we have a much larger number of males than females. Right now a count of 4 females is certain. Out of 14 birds that is not a good number. I'm hoping there are a few more than that.

12 comments:

The Birdlady said...

Hmmm...Those girls hadbetter watch out!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

It's too bad about the fightng, I suppose that's natural behavior?

Good dog Ole!!

Mary said...

Oooo....the girls are definitley outnumbered. Ole is a beautiful dog and very good to allow these funny creatures into his pack.

Anonymous said...

That is sad Eve, about the loss of the males. Its a shame you are not able to order the right gender amounts. There are expert chicken sexers (telling them apart I mean) {:)
Its a pity they cant do the same with Guineas.

Eve said...

Hi Helen, I think Ole better watch out as soon as they start coming into their guinea personalities!

Hi Lynne, not sure if I just got an extra mean one? I'm not sure if this is very common behavior.

Hi Mary, Ole says thanks! He's a little tubby and fuzzy but we love him.

Hi Roy, I guess it's not an easy task so they don't really try. You have to wait for them to grow up a bit and only the girls say "buck wheat"! I'm sure within the next couple weeks I'll know for sure.

Stacey Olson said...

LOL.. I don't think Olie is hungry at all, so he shouldn't want to eat them.. maybe just taste them..??So glad that he has decided to make your life a little easier and leave them alone.. Hope you had a good weekend..

Danni said...

Yay Ole...good BOY!! He looks really proud in that picture, doesn't he? :-)

That's really sad that you've lost 2 boys...I had no idea that aggression was an issue with guineas. :-(

And why-oh-why are the females running around calling for that kid on the Little Rascals?

Unknown said...

What a precious picture.

Adrian said...

Hello Eve

Been AWOL for a while - is this a new dog for you - he looks lovely? Has he been causing a fraca with the kidsd?? Hope to back to nrmal blogging activity soon.

Best wishes, Adgi

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Eve, I'm awake!!! Well, this picture is adorable of Ole and his charges. Good doggy for doing such a fine job. I'm real sorry about the poor hens you lost. Hope the in-fighting settles down and you have no more problems.

I am passing on another award to you. It's at my blog. Visiting yours is a wonderful start to my day, and I want you to know how much I appreciate poppin in. You have a great, great blog that is always so interesting to read!

Jenny said...

Soooo glad that you've managed to integrate Ole boy in with the guinea community. A great weight off your mind I know. That is a really cute photo. He's adorable.

Yvonne said...

Isn't is wonderful to have your work with a dog pay off? My Toby was so difficult when I first got him (very fearful of everything - machinery and so on - but not people). I worked with him and with several trainers for months, both to get over his fears, and to cure his tendency to wander. (Dangerous as we have no fences.) Those eight months of training were tough, but for years now, Toby been the best dog in the world, and he has rewarded me for the effort many times over. You must feel a similar sense of satisfaction.

All the best, Yvonne