A restless night was the gentle nudge the girls needed to relocate the Guinea keet to an environment more promotive of birdness than the floor of their bedroom. This wonderful, old Delaware hen, of whom I’ve so fondly spoken before, is broody and nearing the end of her sit. And since chickens are the most amazing surrogates for Guinea keets, she was the natural next step for our little graftling.
Whether they be lambs, calves, geese, or keets, grafting is stressful and not always successful. Often, a mama’s first instinct is to reject anything she does not immediately recognize as her own. And there is always an inevitable, nail-biting period where you have to stand back and allow them to just figure it out on their own. That’s the worst part, but more than half the battle.
But with patience, this is what we hope for.
These clips were taken over the course of about an hour, leaving time for them to be alone for 10-15 minutes between each check. Note the change in the hen’s clucks and coos from beginning to end. So beautiful.
I hope you find it as rewarding as we did.
Cheers, my friends!
Guinea Graft