Advice please?

[MiddleAmerican]

I have a flock of 8 three month old Guineas. They live on our farm in Clinton County Missouri that Is 30 minutes away from my house. We raised the keets in a pen after they were fully feathered, until last Saturday when we let them out of the pen. Today is Wednesday and they're doing great so far. We go out there several days a week, as we have a horse and donkey to take care of as well. We spend most weekends out at the farm too. However, I'm not able to let the birds out every morning and put them up every evening. I want them to live as natural a life as possible, so they free range 24/7. I understand I may lose some to night time predators, fortunately they roost close to the house and barn area and I think that helps keep some predators at bay. They have done great at staying in their "home" area, foraging for food in the pasture and in the timer throughout the day. I will provide feed in the winter. When the hens get broody I plan to raise the keets they hatch and keep the flock restocked every year. I'll buy new keets if I have to. Do you think my plan is OK? What advice do you have? All input is much appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Everything will be fine until predators locate them. I especially worry about Great Horned Owls and roosting birds.

 

[SueT]

We live in SW Missouri and had guineas free range for 5 or 6 years. We got them for tick control, and they did a great job. We started with 6 keets. As adults they roosted in trees year round, and only occasionally we'd lose one at night to a predator. If one was taken in the night, the others would move to a new tree. I'd say we only lost 2 or 3 a year. Each spring I'd add a few more, and they were always accepted into the little flock. (They did not successfully raise any of their own keets.) Eventually I stopped replacing them as we were planning to move.
They did always stay well within their home area, and made friends with our donkeys, needed feed only in the winter. They will keep the flies/horseflies off your equines! And ticks as well, see photo... It was very hard to find where they made their nests, so it may be hard for you to collect the eggs or keets. Otherwise I think you'll do fine in your situation, good luck!!

 

[MiddleAmerican]

They've officially made it a whole week safely in the outdoors. They've consistently stayed on the home area of our property, and roost in the trees above the coop where they were raised. There's even a one winged guinea male who was attacked by a coon and had to have his wing amputated, so he sleeps on the ground. He's probably not long for this Earth, but he's sure enjoying every day he gets to spend with his flock. Hopefully the flock does well, they are such a joy to watch. They sure eat a lot of bugs. There seems to be a lot of people who keep Guinea Fowl here in Missouri.

 

[Crs1]

I am south of you about an hour and half and just got 2 guineas Thursday. I am thinking of getting 4 more next Thursday when they become available at my feed store. I am raising mine in a 4x8 coop with 12 Cornish cross. It is attached to an 8x8 contained run which is attached to a 25x30 covered run and 10x10 coop that 13 layers and 1 rooster stay. I was thinking of opening the pop door when they are about 3-4 weeks and let them into the 8x8, with its door closed, when they want to go out. I guess it will be ok to leave them in that for 12 weeks before I let them out to the other run for 4 weeks and then letting them out to forage. I am hoping by then they have established where home base is.

 

[lizzilou2000]

Hi crs1. We are doing the same. We have 6 adolescent guineas who we raised from keets. We are keeping them in the coop/run until at least 12 weeks so that they know where home base is. We are on Long Island in a suburban neighborhood so we want them to roost at the coop at night to avoid cars/predators/nasty people. We hope t hey will stay close to home, but who knows? They are wild birds afterall. Good luck to you. Glad to find this forum where others love these awesome creatures as much as we do.

 

[MiddleAmerican]

Unfortunately the one winger is gone, but I figured that would happen. The rest of the flock is healthy though.