Colorado

[Mtn Margie]

Well I did it. I butchered my extra male quail last night. First time ever. It wasn't what I'd call fun but I do feel a little proud that I was able to do it all by myself. Now I know I can so I'm going to set some eggs. This part should actually be fun.

That is a big step. Congrats!

 

[maggiemo]

Anyone interested in an Oliver Egger cockerel? 10 weeks old, starting to crow, super pretty! The grey bird..

Have you decided if the other two are roos or pullets?

 

[Mysterious]

I didn't know there was so much coloradans! Does anyone know how to discourage predators? I have foxes anf coyotes and moutain lions near our house. We have fences and we cover their little enclosure, but one of our guineas, squeak, escaped by flying on top of the coop then going through a loose piece of tarp and the crows got him.

we had 2 pheasents and 4 guineas in the begining and now were down to 2 guineas. can't wait to get a few more.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings @Mysterious Welcome to BYC and the Colorado thread. Aside from hardware cloth and electric/hot wire, not much else you can do really. Wouldn't have thought crows would take on an adult guinea... you sure something else didn't get it and the crows just got caught finishing the residue? You can get aviary netting to go over the run to keep your birds in and other birds out. I used 1/2" hardware cloth over the top of 2x4 welded wire fencing and aproned it out to keep diggers at bay. Then put pavers over the apron nearest the run..

 

[21hens-incharge]

Welcome Mysterious.

Guinea are notoriously hard to keep penned up. They like high places and will fight to get out so they can explore. They are also the kind that does not like to come back to a coop at night. Many people lose them when they get out or are let out and simply do not come back.

Latestarter had great suggestions on run improvements to keep critters out and your birds in. The only thing I could possibly add is to make sure they have a LOT of room the bigger the run the less stress to get out.

I too suspect that something else got the Guinea and the crows got the blame. Crows are a useful critter to have around as they are very territorial and will chase off hawks.
As to keeping lions out now that could take some doing. They are huge and very strong so heavy fencing and making sure the birds are locked up tight at night would be a must. That means in a structure that the cat cannot get into. Locking pop doors are not hard to make. It can be as simple as a board you slide into a channel on the door frame so the pop door cannot be raised from outside. That will keep raccoons out too.

I am sorry you lost birds to either escape or a predator.

 

[Mysterious]

Greetings @Mysterious Welcome to BYC and the Colorado thread. Aside from hardware cloth and electric/hot wire, not much else you can do really. Wouldn't have thought crows would take on an adult guinea... you sure something else didn't get it and the crows just got caught finishing the residue? You can get aviary netting to go over the run to keep your birds in and other birds out. I used 1/2" hardware cloth over the top of 2x4 welded wire fencing and aproned it out to keep diggers at bay. Then put pavers over the apron nearest the run..

We have huge crows. We are working on getting it more secure. Is it true that the light lighter the keet the more it wont last in cold weather.

 

[Mysterious]

Latestarter

 

[Robilyn81]

We have huge crows.

Raven?

Welcome!!

 

[Robilyn81]

Aww Wallaroo Jack made his first crow today! It was so cute. I'm so proud He's just about 12 weeks. I never meant to get a rooster but now that's he's here, I do like him. I hope he'll be a good protector for the ladies.

 

[uzisuzuki]

About 10 days out from all 5 being 2 months old. 2 of the 3 males are working on their crowing & everyone is getting ready to start living outside 24/7 (hopefully starting tomorrow). The Phoenix male has already started trying to do his wing drop on the adult hens & me. Not working out for him so far.