Cinnibar running late & going hungry

[seavey]

Some of you may remember Cinnabar, the One O'Clock Fox, a children's book by the woman who wrote Misty of Chincoteague. 

Well, I was out planting strawberries in the rain this afternoon about 3:00 when my neighbor's chickens started squacking.  Then my guineas started making an awful ruckus  This is not unusual.  They send out the alarm for things like wind, deer, cars and being on the wrong side of the fence.  But when my neighbor's dog got in the act (my dogs were mildly interested but mostly oblivious) I thought I'd pay some attention.  I looked out into the woods and there was a lovely red fox trying his very best to catch one of the guineas as they ran and flew hither and yon.  The fox was leaping and twisting, trying to grab them as they flew up into the trees.  I'll take a head count when they go to roost tonight, but as near as I can tell, he went away hungry this time.     

[missjane]

How about a burro or mini donkey to guard the flock?

[Beckysews]

I vote for a llama to stand guard.  They are tough against coyotes too!!!

Seavey, I have seen a red fox up this way too!  Gorgeous he was!

[belle]

I vote for a llama to stand guard.  They are tough against coyotes too!!!

Seavey, I have seen a red fox up this way too!  Gorgeous he was!

I wonder how an emu would do. they are tough and fast, but I don't know if one would adopt other birds, or feel threatened enough by a fox to guard, anyone?

there are lots of extra emus in the area. this could solve the emu overpopulation crisis in Chatham.

[seavey]

Problem is that the guineas free range to eat the tics, so the guard animal would have to free range in our yard and get over the fence into the woods.  I really can't feature having a burro, donkey, llama, alpaca etc wandering the garding and munching on my plants.  Our dogs leave quite enough in the way of land mines.  So I have resigned myself to the fact that guineas are fungible.  Some will get eaten every year. 

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