Changing Cages for My Guineas

[WCReloaded]

My guineas are about a week old now and they can fly/jump to the top of their feeder and can easily jump out so I decided to have your opinion on a cage that I have. It is a two story rabbit cage that I have lined with chicken wire so they cant get out, but my main concern is that if I separate the guineas in the two stories that they might become two different flocks and I really don't want that. Next week I am getting a 7'x3' cage that my uncle is giving me for free and I want to put them in there. I was wondering which cage would be the best for me and my guineas to have.

WCR

 

[PeepsCA]

The 7'X3' cage would be my choice. If you separate them they will most likely all cry/peep loudly for the others (for hours and hours) when you do. Even as keets they don't like change, and always feel more secure in larger numbers (they are very flock oriented, from day one). In the meantime I'd just put a chicken wire or hardware cloth top on their brooder somehow to keep them in until you get the cage next week.

The 7'x3' cage won't last them very long tho, they grow fast and are very active, so hopefully you have a coop and pen in the works for them.

 

[WCReloaded]

Me and my dad want to free range them. I want to be able to put them in a coop at night so they will be safer and last longer, but dad said I don't need a coop and they probably wont last as long. I already have them coming to my feed call too.

WCR

 

[PeepsCA]

He is correct, without a coop they will not last long. That's not at all fair to those poor birds to just end up being killed off by predators. A healthy, well cared for Guinea can live 12-15 yrs. Hopefully you can talk some sense into your dad and get some sort of coop/pen built for them

 

[JLeigh]

WCR, My 2 cents - - a friend of mine had 15 guineas she decided to free-range one summer. Within 2 or 3 months she had three left. She has a very heavy predator load though. Cooping at night does a few things: 1) it keeps them safer from predators, 2) keeps them warmer/dryer in the winter months (guineas can handle very cold temps as long as they can get dry and out of the wind), 3) reminds them daily of where home is, and where they're supposed to be roosting. A coop doesn't have to be expensive or beautiful, just predator proof. You won't be sorry you built one.