Can I raise them to be tame?

[damselfish]

The above suggestions are good (treats, chickens, habit), and we also brooded our original hatchery keets in the outdoor coop (with heat lamp, etc) from day 1, so it is the only home they've ever known, and they teach new ones where to go.

Ours do coop at night but you need to be prepared for more work than with chickens, who will go to bed on their own. DH goes out each night to encourage them in and if he did not, only some would choose to coop. We don't use the night treats method though. If we did that might speed things up but I think DH kind of likes standing out there talking to them & poking them down out of trees if necessary.

My bottom line opinion (worth what you paid for it): Get chickens first if you've never had a flock. Guineas would have been too much for us if we hadn't learned to deal with chickens the year before.

 

[terrilhb]

Quote:
So very true. If I had had Guinea's before my chickens I would have run screaming.

They definetly are different than chickens. And they take alot of patience. They are teaching me patience. Believe me. Some nights I could just scream. But they are worth it. I love mine so much.

 

[mitchell3006]

I plan to get a few Guinea eggs come spring, never had a flock of birds before, can I 'train' them?

Joke? Right?

 

[GuineaLady93]

You can train them to be tame. It just takes a lot of time and patients.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I have had them before and they have as much brains as a box of hair................ WTS you can try and then you can rationalize........ your failure as is the case mostly. Oh yes he doesn't bite as the little ankle biter dog pulls at your pan't leg before you even ring the doorbell. As she say's he is so sweet

. Good luck with the peafowl and watch the hood and roof of your shinny new car in the driveway. I want to see how big your smile is then when the paint job cost you your next month's income LOL.

 

[Game Bird Guy]

Quote:

Yeah right

good luck.

It is possible, I have done it. I have 30, and 1 french jumbo hen who will follow me around the yard and sit on my shoulder. She did get a lot of attention as a youngster, so that is part of it, but it really depends on the bird. I have a silver phesant cock who is just like this, but the female he is with doesn't like me at all. The three were raised together with the other guineas but, just these few are friendly.

 

[GuineaLady93]

Quote:
I have had them before and they have as much brains as a box of hair................ WTS you can try and then you can rationalize........ your failure as is the case mostly.

If you take the TIME and be PATIENT with them you CAN tame and train them, and if You can't, it's not the Guineas fault.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I have had them before and they have as much brains as a box of hair................ WTS you can try and then you can rationalize........ your failure as is the case mostly.

If you take the TIME and be PATIENT with them you CAN tame and train them, and if You can't, it's not the Guineas fault.

I know it can be done.... seriously.... but I don't have the time..... the best I can do with my schedule is get them to come to me when I holler "Treat Treat Treat"

 

[annaserv]

You need to find some treats they like. Usually when they are young and not as picky of eaters. My first batch loved scrambled eggs and I had one that would jump up on my arm and eat. It was fine until I had a short sleeve shirt on and he slipped. Wow, major claws!. Last years little ones are a hopeless unruly mob, 13 of them, didn't spend enough time with them. this years group of 8, got a lot of attention and like cooked noodles. Not training anyone to jump up on me but they will come when I call them...most of the time. But go in the coop...haha not until the last bit of sunlight is gone.