Bringing Home the Guinea Fowl: A Lesson in Homestead Readiness
If there is one rule in homesteading, it’s this: prepare the habitat before you bring home the animal. I knew this rule. I preached this rule. But sometimes, a good deal and a persistent wife can make you break your own rules. Serena has been asking for Guinea Fowl for a while now. I kept holding off, feeling deep down that our setup just wasn't ready for them yet. But then, she spotted an ad on a bulletin board at Tractor Supply: someone was giving three away for free. She really wanted them, the price was certainly right, and I finally caved. Unfortunately for both of us, my gut instinct was right. We weren't ready. The Waiting Game: Crates, Rain, and Missing Parts We brought the three male Guineas home and temporarily housed them in a large crate while we waited for their permanent enclosure to arrive. That’s when the domino effect of being unprepared started. Problem 1: The Weather. The pen finally arrived, but the Tennessee skies opened up. You can't safely or properl...
