Adding 1 grown guinea to small free range flock?

[sunnie7]

I saw on Craigslist someone in my town listed a single male guinea needing rehomed. Since my flock is down to 5 right now and we have had some recent losses I figured I’ll take him in. However, how to I add him into a free ranging flock. He’s used to free ranging also but if I just let him out in the evening when I throw food out to mine will he stay with my guineas or do I need to confine him for a few days?

 

[R2elk]

I saw on Craigslist someone in my town listed a single male guinea needing rehomed. Since my flock is down to 5 right now and we have had some recent losses I figured I’ll take him in. However, how to I add him into a free ranging flock. He’s used to free ranging also but if I just let him out in the evening when I throw food out to mine will he stay with my guineas or do I need to confine him for a few days?

Getting adult guineas to understand they have a new home can be difficult. The first rule is to quarantine to make sure that you are not bringing in a disease or parasite to you r flock.

It won't take as long to acclimate a lone guinea as it would starting out with adult guineas.

Once the quarantine period is over, the new guinea should be kept in a see but no touch pen. Once the attacks at the fence of the pen have ceased, you can try releasing the new guinea. I would do so late in the day so that you don't have to stick around for a long time observing behaviors.

Good luck.

 

[sunnie7]

Getting adult guineas to understand they have a new home can be difficult. The first rule is to quarantine to make sure that you are not bringing in a disease or parasite to you r flock.

It won't take as long to acclimate a lone guinea as it would starting out with adult guineas.

Once the quarantine period is over, the new guinea should be kept in a see but no touch pen. Once the attacks at the fence of the pen have ceased, you can try releasing the new guinea. I would do so late in the day so that you don't have to stick around for a long time observing behaviors.

Good luck.

Well once I got there they informed me they trimmed one of his wings awhile ago they said he can still get to the top part of their barn and that eventually it will grow back...is that true? They really wanted to get rid of him since he was alone now so I went ahead and took him but I’m concerned about how well he will be able to get away from predators. Then again my 10 I’ve lost so farhaven’t been very successful at that; I just don’t like he has a disadvantage. He’s in a dog crate in the garage now.

 

[R2elk]

Well once I got there they informed me they trimmed one of his wings awhile ago they said he can still get to the top part of their barn and that eventually it will grow back...is that true? They really wanted to get rid of him since he was alone now so I went ahead and took him but I’m concerned about how well he will be able to get away from predators. Then again my 10 I’ve lost so far haven’t been very successful at that; I just don’t like he has a disadvantage. He’s in a dog crate in the garage now.

As soon as he molts his feathers will grow back.

As you are finding out, guineas that are completely free range have losses. Guineas that are shut in a secure coop at night far outlast completely free range guineas.

 

[sunnie7]

As soon as he molts his feathers will grow back.

As you are finding out, guineas that are completely free range have losses. Guineas that are shut in a secure coop at night far outlast completely free range guineas.

Yes I know and it is sad....however after my husband getting Rocky Mountain spotted fever while building our house a year and a half ago my whole purpose of them is tick control. They are really bad here as in if the kids are even out jumping on the trampoline I have to put bug spray on them and we all still get them some times. I’m terrified of one of my kids getting sick. My husband was in the hospital 6 or 7 days and he still has issues from it and the doctors are saying probably will rest of his life.

 

[R2elk]

Yes I know and it is sad....however after my husband getting Rocky Mountain spotted fever while building our house a year and a half ago my whole purpose of them is tick control. They are really bad here as in if the kids are even out jumping on the trampoline I have to put bug spray on them and we all still get them some times. I’m terrified of one of my kids getting sick. My husband was in the hospital 6 or 7 days and he still has issues from it and the doctors are saying probably will rest of his life.

From your description, it would be better if you can contain the guineas in the areas where you are having the tick problems.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Well once I got there they informed me they trimmed one of his wings awhile ago they said he can still get to the top part of their barn and that eventually it will grow back...is that true? They really wanted to get rid of him since he was alone now so I went ahead and took him but I’m concerned about how well he will be able to get away from predators. Then again my 10 I’ve lost so farhaven’t been very successful at that; I just don’t like he has a disadvantage. He’s in a dog crate in the garage now.

My hen that was grabbed by my dog has about that same level of flight. She can get to her roost but she can’t fly normally. I’ve been worried about her and predators too! She’s good about staying with her subflock though, and they are an alert group. We have guineas for tick control too! I had to lock them up for six weeks, and new I’m only letting them out in the afternoon, so... I have ticks again. I’d forgotten how much I despise those little buggers! What predators are you losing your guineas to?

 

[sunnie7]

My hen that was grabbed by my dog has about that same level of flight. She can get to her roost but she can’t fly normally. I’ve been worried about her and predators too! She’s good about staying with her subflock though, and they are an alert group. We have guineas for tick control too! I had to lock them up for six weeks, and new I’m only letting them out in the afternoon, so... I have ticks again. I’d forgotten how much I despise those little buggers! What predators are you losing your guineas to?

I believe mostly foxes... we do have coyotes and bobcats too.
“Frank” has been in a dog crate in the garage and is the quietest guinea ever. I hadn’t heard a peep out of him until my other ones wandered in the garage yesterday and then only little quiet chirp noises. He seems healthy not really sure how to know if he has any disease but I plan on taking the cage outside and introducing him to the others tomorrow.