Do guineas need a coop?

[gobbles!]

I keep reading that guineas prefer to spend their nights up roosting in the trees--does this mean I wouldn't need a coop for them at all?

 

[mdbucks]

if you want guineas, i would suggest a coop. I had one that insisted on roostg in the trees, now i have on less guinea.

 

[Chatychick]

Some say they dont but mine were raised with the chickens and they roost with the chickens each night and this keeps down the predators. Hawks and owls roost in trees and will get them there. I personally would try to put them up at night if you want to keep them.

 

[greyfields]

I think they will roost in trees or rafters given half the chance, and it would be their preference to do so. I guess it's just a matter of how much land you have and how upset you would be if you were to lose one.

I live in coyote territory. I always raise more birds than I really need or want, because losses are inevitable. I can live with it.

 

[fowltemptress]

 

[gobbles!]

Thanks for the advice guys! I can stomach losing some, that happens anyway with my free-range chickens, whom I DO shut in their coop at night. (I live in coyote-, fox- and other animal-territory.)

Another question occurred to me. I live in southern New England now, and the winters are pretty harsh (at least by my Maryland standards). Would guineas do all right without a coop in this weather?

 

[Roux]

I'm in NH & have been cooping mine both at night & in extreme weather. Lost a few to predators (hawks & coyotes) before the PM lockup (

), so keep in mind that if you leave them out long enough, they'll probably be eaten by something sooner or later.

They seem to appreciate going in when it's especially windy & yucky out. Mine were out for a while today & when the high winds really kicked up in the late afternoon, they booked it back to the coop.

Just my $.02...

 

[fowltemptress]

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

We had some that roosted in the chicken shed and some that prefered the trees. It really depends on the guinea, some like it outside and others dont.

 

[gobbles!]

My yard is just covered in trees, so it'd be pretty cool if guineas could just roost in those, cuz it'd mean I wouldn't have to expand my coop.

I'm thinking I'll give guineas a shot. I'm curious to see how well they could protect my free-range chickens, which are always falling prey to coyotes, foxes, etc. My area is overrun with deer tick as well, so it'd be great if they could do something about that! Lyme disease...ewwww!