First there was 12, but now there are 9...

[looptloop]

My husband and I spent the day yesterday rewiring the enclosed run we have for our 12 eight week old guineas. Yesterday was the first day they were loose in the run, no one escaped. I left them loose in the run last night, figuring they were safe. Well this morning there are only 9. I figure three squeezed out somewhere and flew out of the fenced yard. I see no evidence of something coming in the enclosure and getting them, they are just gone. I will be suring up any gap they could have gotten thru so we don't lose any more. What are the chances they will come back tonight if something doesn't get them???? We've had them out in a dog cage in the enclosed run for about a week.

 

[Chickens14]

keeping my fingers crossed for you but unfortunately my first thought is they may
not being so young....
I have 13 keets now & almost thinking of not selling anymore just in case some are lost
I lost two three month olds in April

 

[looptloop]

I found 1 of them clear up past the barn.... so there is some hope. I will go out when it's getting dark and they are noisy to see if any return to the calls of the flock.

 

[Chickens14]

Oh that is good news!

 

[damselfish]

It's good to start training them to come when to a particular whistle or call (always provide treats, millet is good).

We got one young one back out of a roost in the woods this way our first year with guineas. Never would have found him otherwise, and it was almost dark at that point. He knew that whistle and came barreling out of there after he saw and heard us.

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
My first attempt at keeping guineas, I lost all 25 which flew the coop as soon as they could fly even though I had raised them from week old Keets purchased from the feed store. The next year I wised up and raised some keets and chicks together so the integrated flock imprinted on the coop/run. The guineas would fly out during the day to roam the property for bug patrol and then return to the vicinity of the coop in the evening, some would roost with the chickens and some would roost outside the coop in the trees. Now I incubate some of my guinea eggs each year (if I can find the nest) and add chicken eggs 7 days into the incubation so as to have some chicks hatch together as a group. I also have slipped guinea eggs under a broody hen to have the keets imprint on chickens.This is what worked for me.

 

[Akane]

I wouldn't leave them in a wire run over night. I've lost plenty of young birds to beheadings through the bars and even an entire body was removed through 1/2" openings leaving only blood behind. The guineas are even more likely than chickens to crowd the corners or sleep along the wire when young.

 

[looptloop]

Would you believe that the missing 2 keets were walking along the backside of the run this morning???? I think they were hungry and thirsty, as they let me catch them pretty easily.

I keep them in a large dog cage at night, except the night they escaped. When we do let them out of the cage at night, we are going to hang a roost bar that does not go close to the wire so they can roost high.

 

[Chickens14]