Free Ranging Guineas and Chickens

[Rose66]

I have 15 guineas who were raised with my chickens until 11 weeks of age when the guineas started picking on the chickens so we separated them. All chickens and guineas are 6 1/2 months old now. The guineas have been free ranging for about 2 months now but the chickens have never free ranged. I would like to let the chickens start free ranging for a few hours each day but I feel quite sure the guineas will beat up on the chickens. Anything I can do to make the guineas leave the chickens alone? The guineas are still insecure, do not leave the immediate yard area, and come running to us whenever we are in the yard so it's not like the chickens could be in the yard while the guineas are grazing elsewhere. I sure hope our guineas will start grazing farther out into our 25 acres when they get older but until then, any thoughts on how to keep the guineas from beating up the chickens? Thanks!

 

[PeepsCA]

If you have them separated, do the Guineas coop up at night, or are they 100% free range now? If they both have their own coops/pens then I'd just start with free ranging them at different times for a while, and then after a few weeks of that working out I'd let out just a few Guineas at a time with the chickens at first... that way (hopefully) the Guineas will focus more on the rest of the Guineas that are still in the pen rather than on the chickens so much. You will of course need to supervise and break up the squabbles. Start from there and gradually work up to everybody being let out out at once.

If the Guineas are 100% free range then I'd start out with the chickens getting just short supervised free range sessions in the late afternoons... and of course be ready to break up any chicken/Guinea squabbles. You will need to be around to babysit everybody while they are out and see how it goes. I don't own any chickens, just Guineas, Peafowl and a Wild Turkey, but usually during the colder months my Guineas are all less aggressive in general and the integration process is at it's easiest, since everybody's breeding/laying season hormones are in check. If the short sessions are successful, start working up to more time out.

Gonna take a little work on your part either way, and I am sure there are other ways than what I've suggested so hopefully someone else will chime in.
Best of luck, how ever you go about it.

 

[Wisher1000]

Call me crazy, but I think I would just let them out one evening and see what happens. There are going to be fights until they come to an understanding. You have to let them work it out. I wouldn't worry about serious fights this time of year, spring is the time that the males go bonkers!

 

[tomingreeneco]

I have both and have no problems. In fact my guineas are somewhat afraid of the chickens! I would let the chickens out late in the day, grab a lawn chair and see what happens. Unless a fight really gets out of hand, just let it go so they can find a pecking order. With 15 guineas they should keep to themselves and leave the chickens alone. You might try giving the guineas treats to keep their minds off the chickens for a few days. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[cjh0907]

i have my guineas in a coop right next to my chickens and the runs are right next to each other so they can see and interact with each other. When in their runs, if a chicken gets too close to the fence near the guinea run, the guineas will go after the chicken. However, when i let them free range, which i do everyday, they seem to be the best of friends and stick together. The guineas always alert the chickens if something is near and seem to scope out a place before the chickens and let them know its alright. They even mix and match coops when its time to go in without any problems. i have to separate them every night which in time consuming so just keep that in mind when letting them all out together