Dang, lost another one :(

[TeamChaos]

We've had guineas since June of last year. We kept them locked up for the first few months and finally the birds were so miserable that we gave them a chance to range. They have the run of 80 acres and that satisfied them for a while, but then they got in the habit of ducking under the fence to the neighbor's pasture, ranging for a while, then crossing the HIGHWAY to check for snacks on the creek bed and then crossing the road AGAIN to get back to our driveway. We chased them, we called them with treats away from the road, we even tried keeping them locked up longer in the a.m. to throw off their schedule (they just stopped cooping up then). We've lost 5 total to the road. All but one were instantly killed. Most of the time, they would leave the road alone but when it rains, they are drawn toward it like a magnet. So sad and frustrating. It seems like there's no way to have happy birds (and ours were NOT happy locked up) and avoid losing them to the road.

 

[1Teacherchick]

Maybe a better fence?

 

[PeepsCA]

If you don't already have a fence and can't afford the expense to build one then putting up temporary fencing (deer netting, or something similar and easy to work with) may help break the road habit if you just have a small area to block off, but if not then a few motion activated sprinklers strategically placed in their path to the road should help... the quick bursts of water and the noise leave a lasting impression, lol. Hanging spooky shiny reflective things in their path like that mylar reflective bird tape used to keep wild birds out of fruit trees and gardens, pinwheels that blow in the wind, aluminium pie tins, old CDs etc may help too. You'll have to change out the shiny things tho, otherwise they do get used to them. Unfortunately once they have established the habit of going into/across the road it's a difficult one to break. Good luck, and hope you do not lose any more birds.

 

[JLeigh]

In addition to all other suggestions, if you can take an umbrella with you when they go to their "road crossing spot" and open and close it very fast (before they get to the street of course) then that MAY help. It may take a few days of doing this for them to get the point though.

Honest to pete it worked for my chickens coming up onto my patio, but I think chickens might be smarter than guineas.

It might be worth a try....can't hurt.