Caught in the Act!

Caught in the act. Guinea Fowl busy checking out the sign "What is a Food Forest?"

They like to pretend they can't read. But we all know now!

Luckily they do have a good understanding of what a Food Forest is. Yep, a Food Forest copies a natural forest, but it just focuses in on the food plants that are loved by us and the other critters that live in the Food Forest.

Guinea Fowl are particularly suited to the Food Forest- they amble around eating anything delicious they can find- slugs etc. And the best bit is that they don't scratch around the floor like the chickens do. They also love laying their clutches of eggs in the Food Forest- to the delight of the many school children who come to visit us. Many times I have seen broody mama Guinea Fowls surrounded by pointing excited children. And she doesn't move! Almost in the manner of "this is so bad that it can't possibly be happening!"

The only time I had a serious falling out with the Guinea Fowl was when they discovered that they quite liked the taste of tomatoes. And they were definitely up earlier than me to pick the ripe ones. I don't know why but they didn't eat or show interest in last seasons tomatoes (phew!). So it could be like a lot of things in the Food Forest- maybe that year they were a bit hungrier and some other food source was off the menu? Fingers crossed that it doesn't happen this year! Maybe I will get a sign made up this year that says "NO EATING TOMATOES GUINEA FOWL" - because they can obviously read..right?