First time Guinea Fowl rancher in Texas needs advisory

[sadie10023]

I will be a first time poultry owner . At our weekend ranch in the Hill Country of Texas, we decided we desperately need Guineas for tick, scorpion and snake control (urgency on the scorpions).
I am acquiring 25 males that are 5 months, currently daily free-rangers and accustomed to going into a lighted coop at night. Seller is an experienced raiser north of Houston. Even though he says they will be fine, I have concerns about their lifestyle changes and safety.
My concerns are:
We are not full timers at the ranch – just long weekends and some full-time weeks currently. I will provide a similar coop to the sellers but in the long run, will not be available each night to rally the Guineas into the coop. Seller is sure they will be OK – they are 5 months old, fly and will chose to roost in the trees for safety - he says.
To acclimate them my plan is to entice them to stay and work around the immediate yard closest to the house in the first week with morning and evening feedings. But, the daily feeding will not continue after orientation in hopes they will be fine with the plentiful natural food going forward (except winter of course). Constant water will be provided by many sources – timed water systems, drip containers from morning roof dew and rain. The river is down about 50 yards - as a last resort of course.
We have a large high-fence garden area close to the house. Confining them to the big garden area at first is useless I think - they can fly over that fence. I WILL connstruct a coop adjacent to that garden so they have this option but the gate will not be closed when I am not there. I will put a roof on it. (Confused on how coop would be safe at all)
There is also shed a bit further in the distance beyond that garden that I may convert into another coop eventually with electric but it is a further distance from the house where we want them to work the area.
I am sure of predators but have seen none – just cat tracks and cracked eggs by the river – probably raccoons. I will tell neighbor with a dog to be concerned for my Guineas when letting dog run free.
First questions: Am I just setting these guys up for doom after the first week or so if they are on their own around the house at night and roosting in the big oaks? Will an open coop made with metal fabric, tin roof and chain link be more danger than safe? Am I delusional thinking I can successfully wean them off of the morning feeds they are accustomed to? Is this cruel? They come running when called by seller and I fear this new wide open territory without constant humans will make them, well…sad lonely and vulnerable. Is this too much change for 5-month old Guineas?

And, one great fear is that when I bring my 9 lb. and 40 lb. dog out for a walk on leash, the Guineas will run to attack.

Much education needed but will stop now!
Oh, and I think they are beautiful, crazy fun birds and not just bug control.
Thanks for any input!

 

[PeepsCA]

Obviously the birds' best interest are of no concern to the seller and more than likely he is just looking to dump off all his extra male Guineas on someone with no prior experience with poultry, poultry losses and a high predator load

The birds may do fine at his place with people and other animals around (and probably poultry friendly watch dogs to ward off predators), but that doesn't mean they will be fine at your place, which is going to be a complete opposite environment for them, especially with no one around every day/night.

Guineas do not like change, and won't acclimate to a new coop/home in just a short time. It typically takes around 6 weeks of being confined to a new coop/run for mature birds to be "reprogrammed" to a new home, especially since they've already established a daily routine at their current home. If they wander to far from your place because they've been spooked or chased by a predator they won't know where their new home and safety is, and more than likely keep on going looking for their old home, then get separate and picked off by predators, dogs, cats,hit by cars etc etc. You'll most likely not see very many of them once they are let out to free range.

If you have coons your birds are not safe roosting in the trees, plus they are still vulnerable to owls and being close to the river I'm going to guess you probably have some type of weasels too. Not to mention fox, coyotes and other ground predators that will stalk a roosting tree and wait for the birds to hop down at dawn. Hungry predators will keep returning for a free meal as long as they are given access to one. The coop/pen will need to be bullet proof and after the birds have been acclimated to a new coop/pen/home they will still need to be called or herded in and safely locked up each night for quite a while... which will be a chore to do especially if they already roost in the trees where they are now. Picture 25 not-so-brainy birds running in all directions at once. It's similar to herding ants.

Without a constant source of food they really have no reason to stick around your place. It's possible, but not probable that they will find what they need to eat just from free ranging your property... that is if they even stay there. Guineas wander, it's their nature. They may end up down the road some place that has other poultry and feeders to scrounge from. Without someone at your place to call them back and reward them with food for coming back each and every time they wander too far the birds will usually just keep on going... so in that case you won't have to worry about them attacking your dogs. (My birds do not attack my dogs or cats, they all steer clear of each other).

There is also the noise factor to consider... Guineas put in a new environment can be very vocal about anything and everything new they see. How close are your neighbors? Are you on good terms with them? That may change rather abruptly.

IMO you either have a LOT of work cut out for you, or you will lose most if not all the birds within a very short time. Sorry I don't have anything more positive to reply with... but I'm one of those breeders that tries to place my birds in good homes and also help educate the new owners to the birds' needs prior to the sale, not just dump off my excess stock

 

[sadie10023]

Your info is straight forward and appreciated. These are my concerns exactly. I don’t have the birds yet and I am considering the welfare of these birds seriously enough to call it off. Am I the worst option for these birds?

You are right - dedicating the time you describe at first is the big question I have to answer.

As for myself – I have been studying this option for a long time. I am aware that Guineas hate change, that they could become Owl vulnerable as they roost in trees and move to the top and many other issues you described. I was not considering predators waiting thru till morning for the birds to decend. It is rational that once predators discover a buffet they could be relentless.
I cannot judge seller- he spoke at length with me about the Gunieas, how they have been raised and what they would need. At the same time, he felt they would acclimate. He felt roosting in the trees is what they would do - but that may be the problem...

What I have learned and my situation directed me to this seller based on the age of the birds offered – flying 5 month old vs. young keets. I am taking no less than 25 so they are in numbers-males only. I CAN construct a bullet proof coop, water and feed can be provided, neighbors are a good distance away – they will be notified of the birds of course, not so worried about distance to the road and I am pretty sure there is plenty natural to sustain them.
So yes, it is the work to be done to keep them safe and homed in the new digs that is the big challenge for me. I could not bear them being separated, wandering and lost to the coop if spooked. This is what I felt from the start and need to weigh the facts. My question on my dogs safety is an afterthought based on 2 being very small. Albeit on leash, if there was a break-free I cannot tolerate and attack on the little dog if the Guineas think they are being attacked. Just stating that I feel about my dogs like most dog owners do – they are my kids. (Much of the reason for Guineas is to lessen the dangers for the dogs (and mom!) on the ranch – ticks and scorpions.)
I am taking your input seriously and am very appreciative – also open for other experiences on re-homing Guineas at that age from others. Will update!

 

[JLeigh]

I know of someone who had many guineas penned, and wanted to free-range them. He had roughly 15-20 and before the end of the first summer, he had three left, but our worst predators around here are noctural. Depending on your predator situation (day predators worse than night predators, or equally bad....you have to evaluate that according to your area and property) you probably will want to coop the guineas at night. We all suffer losses at one time or another, one reason or another, but the flocks that I read and hear of getting taken down fast are the ones that aren't cooped at night.

I guess it doesn't really matter, but why 25 males? I'd rather have 25 females than males - - but that's just me. Guinea eggs are delicious!

 

[sadie10023]

Thanks for reply:

I have seen no predators in daylight but that means nothing. Dogs of course could be daytimers. There is the possibility I will see many more after getting Guineas. I believe the majority of my predators will be nightime. I know I will lose a few Guineas- and it will be hard because I get attached to most any animal.

Yes, I am facing the fact that nightime cooping is my option for best chances. Do they have an App for that? just kidding...

I was wanting all males because I am not at ranch full time. Females bring eggs, bring possible keets and not set up to give that needed attention to youngin's, etc. Trying to make sure I provide for the males at least.

Any other ideas experiences welcomed.