Do guineas need a coop?

[Christine21656]

We are planning on building a new chicken coop for our 26 chickens (they don't free range). This summer, or next summer, I am hoping to get some guinea eggs and have one of the broody's hatch them... but my question is.. Do Guineas need a coop? We are in WI, and I plan to let them free range (we are on 10 acres). Should I make a roosting area above the coop? Like, in the rafters? Or would they be ok in the coop for the night with the chickens? I should I just let them free range at night, too? Pictures of what you do would be really helpful!

 

[speckledhen]

Before you decide to house them with your chickens, you should read this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=480960

Never expect them to act like chickens is my best advice. They are nothing like chickens and therefore, often, do not get along with chickens. That's one reason I had to rehome my four. You need enough of them so they can form their own society separate from the chickens, not just a handful.


The answer is that if you want them to be safe at night, you'd need them to have somewhere to be shut in or they'll be picked off by raccoons and owls.

 

[robin416]

Considering where you live a coop would be a necessity. They suffer frost bite and hypothermia just as much as our chickens do. Besides the easy pickings for predators.