6 foot fenced acre and safety

[chickenmadness7]

In another thread I've read about safety in numbers with Guineas and that it's recommended to get more Guineas than you would want because if they are to free range, you are certain to lose almost 50% of them to predators. I do have a friend that lost 13 of her 14 guineas to foxes on her farm when they free ranged. I appreciate this information very much so that I can take every precaution possible to give my Guineas the best chance at survival possible. But I'm also SCARED TO DEATH for when the time comes to put my babies outside.

We have 3 acres with 1 acre fenced with a solid 6 foot tall fence. The guineas and chickens will be cooped in our fenced in one acre. The fence does indeed keep foxes, coyote, and dogs out. But will it keep the guineas in? Will my 5 guineas be content to free range within the fenced one acre that is partially wooded and partially grass and gardens? I am so hoping. I really do NOT want to clip their wings....but I want them to he both safe and happy. :/

 

[subhanalah]

I've heard that people keep them "cooped up" for two weeks to a month so they come back "home" every night to roost.

It may have to do with a certain age/developmental stage.

 

[chickenmadness7]

I definitely plan on doing that.

 

[subhanalah]

You can out up electric wire, one down low for diggers and one up high for climbers. I'd you can, another for the middle

 

[perchie.girl]

In another thread I've read about safety in numbers with Guineas and that it's recommended to get more Guineas than you would want because if they are to free range, you are certain to lose almost 50% of them to predators. I do have a friend that lost 13 of her 14 guineas to foxes on her farm when they free ranged. I appreciate this information very much so that I can take every precaution possible to give my Guineas the best chance at survival possible. But I'm also SCARED TO DEATH for when the time comes to put my babies outside.

We have 3 acres with 1 acre fenced with a solid 6 foot tall fence. The guineas and chickens will be cooped in our fenced in one acre. The fence does indeed keep foxes, coyote, and dogs out. But will it keep the guineas in? Will my 5 guineas be content to free range within the fenced one acre that is partially wooded and partially grass and gardens? I am so hoping. I really do NOT want to clip their wings....but I want them to he both safe and happy.

Sorry to say this but even a ten foot fence would not keep them in. When I tapped the feed bucket Mine would fly from the rocks in the back up to the peak of my house then fly down to the yard to fuss at me to feed them NOW. I have eighteen acres of High desert Chaparal and Lots of HUGE rocks the kind you see in OLD time westerns.

I had a small flock then of about seven. Where I am at I have About everythihng you could imagine for predators with the exception of Bear and Mink.... Mountain lions here are the apex... Coyotes are the most numerous And domestic dogs the most dangerous.

Best thing to do is give them a spot where they can eyeball the top of the fence in the form of a landing board. So that when they do go outside the fence for what ever reason they can figure out how to get back in. They arent the Brightest bulb in the package when that is concerned.

The only way to keep them from flying is pinioning them.... Not my recommendation because that makes them Completely dependant on you for their protection. Besides it as to be done as hatchlings.

So given the six foot fence and their young age you wont have any issues of them flying out initially.... But when the bugs are gone they will want do see whats on the other side of the fence....

So train them a little too using a sound that can be heard a long way off... Some people use a bell, Others use a clicker, I just whacked the feed bucket with a stick.... or hollered TREAT TREAT TREAT.... Every time you bring out feed. All your poultry will learn that when you make this noise Food will be available.

Routine can work in your favor as well. Chickens will pretty much put themselves to bed... Guineas on the other hand like high places to roost for the night so if you have trees you might have an issue bringing them into the night time protection of the coop. The "Dinner Bell" will serve you well for getting them back to the coop in the evening.

People loose their Guineas if they dont get them into the coop at night. Bobcats will go right up a tree for a guinea... Also during breeding season the hens will go to ground on a nest and you are at risk of loosing her and her mate during that time... Because her mate will stay close by to protect her. A good plan during that time is to not let them out to free range till everyone has layed their eggs.

I had my little flock of seven for a good part of 3 years till we had the last big fire in San Diego county. It drove the Mountain lions and Bobcats down from the mountan into my area.... I lost 30 chickens in 30 days due to Bobcat Predation.... inclding my seven little Rover boys.

deb

 

[enola]

A 6 foot fence will not keep a determined coyote or fox out of the guineas pen either.

 

[chickenmadness7]

Well I do have them trained already with a bell. Started that on day 1. So sorry about your flock being lost during those awful fires. We have black bear, bobcat, Fisher cats, Owls, hawks and more predators here too.

 

[perchie.girl]

A 6 foot fence will not keep a determined coyote or fox out of the guineas pen either.

Sad to say you are right Enola.... unless there is a good dog inside or hot wire is added to the chainlink.

deb "Who also lost Guineas in side a six foot chainlink fence.... Last year."

 

[perchie.girl]

Well I do have them trained already with a bell. Started that on day 1. So sorry about your flock being lost during those awful fires.

We have black bear, bobcat, Fisher cats, Owls, hawks and more predators here too.

This is good.... When you first let em out they are not going to want to be out.... they are relly funny to watch when they rubberneck to see around stuff they have never seen around before.

deb

 

[chickenmadness7]

I do have several dogs too so here's hoping!