Day 1 - how do I move the free ranging keets to a new coop

[Chickiemom25]

So my 5 are now almost 11 weeks old and today was the first day I let the last one free range. They have been in a dog run and as they were released they started sleeping on top the run. So tonight I left the door to the run open, and all 5 went in to sleep on the roost. Problem is the bunnies are moving into the run and the guineas and ducks have a new coop to sleep in. how do I get them to move into the new coop? or should I just let them sleep on top the run.. With rain forecasted, I would like to get them to move over to the hoop coop. Maybe I should just be thankful they didnt fly away

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Can you catch them at night? It needs to be pretty dark. Snatch them from outside the run so that if any fly, it will probably be inside the run where you can catch them.

Then clip one wing of each bird, and move them to the new coop.

 

[BlueShadow]

Ooooh moving coops. This is a big challenge with opinionated, very highly set-in-their-ways guineas.

Honest, at that age, I went out every single night after they were roosting and chased them to the place I wanted them. To do this effectively, the coop where you want them to roost must be lit, because they will only go if they can see where they are going. If you turn on the light before dark, they may start roosting there more quickly. It took me several months to get them trained to consistently go where I wanted them. It wasn't a big hassle to move them, I just stood behind them so that as they flew away from me they were flying toward the roost where I wanted them, and I waved my hands and scared them off their roost, they headed toward the light and in they went. It was not hard, but definitely a nuisance because it took so long for them to learn.

Another idea is to lock them in the new coop for 2 weeks. I know that isn't what you want to do since you just got them free-ranging, but its another idea.

Moving their food and water into the new coop will encourage them to go in there during the daytime. It will not break their habit of roosting in the old coop, but will help make it much easier to get them in the new coop after dark.

 

[BlueShadow]

Can you catch them at night? It needs to be pretty dark. Snatch them from outside the run so that if any fly, it will probably be inside the run where you can catch them.

Then clip one wing of each bird, and move them to the new coop.

Since her goal is to free-range her guineas, I very strongly recommend NOT clipping wings. Free-ranging guineas need to fly to be able to avoid predators, sit up high to watch for predators and scold the world, and exhibit their natural obnoxious behaviors such as bullying each other. Guineas with clipped wings are not happy birds.

 

[Chickiemom25]

Can you catch them at night? It needs to be pretty dark. Snatch them from outside the run so that if any fly, it will probably be inside the run where you can catch them.

Then clip one wing of each bird, and move them to the new coop.

clipping wings.... hmmm... I hate to take away their ability to fly

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Well, you did mention not wanting them to escape. Another method is to cover the run.

 

[Chickiemom25]

Ooooh moving coops. This is a big challenge with opinionated, very highly set-in-their-ways guineas.

Honest, at that age, I went out every single night after they were roosting and chased them to the place I wanted them. To do this effectively, the coop where you want them to roost must be lit, because they will only go if they can see where they are going. If you turn on the light before dark, they may start roosting there more quickly. It took me several months to get them trained to consistently go where I wanted them. It wasn't a big hassle to move them, I just stood behind them so that as they flew away from me they were flying toward the roost where I wanted them, and I waved my hands and scared them off their roost, they headed toward the light and in they went. It was not hard, but definitely a nuisance because it took so long for them to learn.

Another idea is to lock them in the new coop for 2 weeks. I know that isn't what you want to do since you just got them free-ranging, but its another idea.

Moving their food and water into the new coop will encourage them to go in there during the daytime. It will not break their habit of roosting in the old coop, but will help make it much easier to get them in the new coop after dark.

I like the light idea... for now they will need to roost on top the run again since I am going out of town and dont have time to retrain.. But I can move them when I get back I'm sure. Thanks

 

[BoogieBug]

Meal worms are POWER!!! They LOVE meal worms. Now I'm no expert by any means. As a matter of fact, I'm a newbie guinea mama, but I'm amazed at how well I can get my guineas to do what I want with meal worms. If they associate the hoop coop with meal worms, it might make the battle a bit easier. Every evening, when you get them into the hoop coop, give them meal worms. It won't take long for them to figure out that the hoop coop means they get an awesome treat!