Free Ranging

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I have two different age groups 3 teenagers and 3 adults I was wondering how long to keep them penned up before being able to free range them. They’ve been in with my chickens and the lady I bought my teenage guineas from said they were coop trained.

 

[R2elk]

I have two different age groups 3 teenagers and 3 adults I was wondering how long to keep them penned up before being able to free range them. They’ve been in with my chickens and the lady I bought my teenage guineas from said they were coop trained.

While they may have been coop trained where they are from, they are not coop trained at your place until you teach them to be coop trained.

It can take up to 6 weeks of being confined at their new home to get adult guineas to understand that the new place is home.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

While they may have been coop trained where they are from, they are not coop trained at your place until you teach them to be coop trained.

It can take up to 6 weeks of being confined at their new home to get adult guineas to understand that the new place is home.

Thanks that works out. My chicken don’t free range in the fall/winter because I get so many hawks. I was thinking about letting them out today though since i’d be out there all day. I’ll just keep the guineas shut in i’d rather be safe than sorry.

 

[CityGuineas]

Hello from sunny SanAntonio !
Here's my update on my now 4 yr old Guinea couple, Lee n Rosie...and now, 2 keats!
I want to thank you for your wonderful advice regarding coop training.
My adults were never coop trained, but once my white, blue eyed keats arrived( despite my best effort at being human birth control!)Sid (F) n Vicious(m) arrived, i HAD to protect them.
It was last Aug weekend that i was awakened at 3 am by Rosie - who had spent unprecedented SEVEN days in my back neighbors yard- specifically, in her long abandoned, wooden compost bin. My neighbor and I love these silly creatures- so, as we have no alley separation, we installed a 2 way gate in middle of fence.Also secured her yard when mine done- after coop built. Last step was clipping flying wings, as I couldn't afford them going to the ONE neighbor who despises them!
So, at 3am, i ran out, fearing an Owl attack, etc. PapaLee returned nightly to my huge red oak tree but Rosie was DETERMINED to be a mama!
I sprinted to gate, opened it- there were 2 white , newly borne keats already running circles around Mama Rose!
She slowly relocated them, under my gaurd for next few hours back into my yard.
As sun rose, Lee came down, and at first seemed concerned- but quickly morphed into his role as protective Papa.
I figured i would NEVER have a better op to coop them than at end of Sunday. The parents followed as i carefully placed them into coop.
Lee went up to the highest branch in coop i had instled.Rosie took them into inner coop house, where their heat lamp is .
They stayed there until end of holidays, without any protest. Then, i opened coop gate, finally all 4 came out. They look forward to a "salad" every sunset, with moss balls from my oaks to play with! Now, every evening, the parents and keats simy run after me into coop. Even better, if hawk or eagle is around during the day, they now automatically run into their sanctuary. As it is tastefully decorated with branches, plants, etc- i don't blame them!
Had i not stuck it out for 4 long months keeping them cooped- i am certain that
esp Lee- all - wouldve been a midnight snack for Barn Owl that "shops" almost nightly!
What i am amazed by is - esp Papa Lee- how wonderfully they parent their keats. At almost 6 mo, they're as tall as Rosie- so everynight at bedtime, they still try- and occasionally, DO - sleep on Lee's back. His paternal patience, tenderness is AMAzING.
As Vicious, boy keat, is much bigger than sister Sid- developing waddle, and getting hang of machine gun call- i was afraid Lee would distance himself as Papa to him
So far, not at all. Papa Lee is primary caregiver, protector of the keats durung day. Both keats, despite being from 2 pearls, are white with lavender blush on face, blue eyes.
As they are bro/ sis of a pair of bro/sis...worried about mating situation, as parents already doing "chase" around yard, perhaps due to unusually warm Jan?
I can't have more, so i am sure hoping my attempt at "birth control' is more effective this season. I simply get eggs, replace them with goofballs.
Any otjer suggestion at more keat prevention out there? Would really appreciate your help, as i always do! Here's a famy portait!