adding guineas

[lovinlife]

I was given 7 guineas last summer. I lost three in the fall and have held on to 4 of them for a few months. They free range 24/7. They beat up my chickens, so I don't want them in the coop with them. I would really like to keep them for bug control in the spring. I don't let my chickens out for more than 4 hours a day (as soon as I get home from work until dark- usually less than 2 hours).

I had a guinea hen that was sitting on eggs last fall. She was taken by something on the first night of freezing temps here. I found over 40 eggs in her nest.

Last night, something got one of my pearl guineas. The buzzards were out in full force this afternoon enjoying their snack. Poor guinea.

Here's my question: How hard is it to add young guineas to the older ones? I kept mine cooped up for quite a while before letting them free range. I'd really like one of my hens (I have no idea how many hens and cocks I have) to hatch her own eggs. Maybe in the spring? But, if that doesn't happen, and I buy some guinea chicks, what should I expect/do to add young guineas?

Thanks!

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

Its not that hard adding younger ones to older ones. When I do it I keep the younger ones in a pen for about 4 months and let them communicate through the pen and learn their home and the other guineas. I highly advise that you dont let a guinea hatch her own chicks. for 2 reasons: She has the about 3x higher to get killed by a predator and two- guineas dont make good mothers. Most of the keets will die because she will walk them through wet grass and guineas shouldn't get wet their first week of life. So, i HIGHLY recommend that you hatch them in the incubator unless you want to lose another guinea or you don't want to the keets to live. Hope this helps

 

[CDennis]

I introduced 7, 2 month old keets to my two full grown guineas last summer. At first my hen would run over the keets, push them all into one corner and then peck at them. I watched them very closely and this lasted about 3 days. I am not sure who got imprinted on who but from that point on, they are never far...and if they are...they are screaming bloody murder.

 

[racuda]

My 8 guineas are 7 months old and were hatched and raised by a bantam chicken. They adore her to this day. I plan to let her hatch about 8 more when I get some eggs. I think she will take good care of them around the adult guineas.

 

[lovinlife]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably end up buying some guinea chicks and raising them with the chicks I've ordered for late March. Sounds like that's the safest way to go.