Getting Guineas, Have a ?

[mylilchix]

I'm planning on getting 2-3 guinea keets. I'll raise them with my current brooder full of chicks while they're young. When I move them out to the coop, how long should I keep them in the enclosed run before I let them free range? I want them to know their home before they're let loose.

Thanks, Sonja

 

[Spunky~Chick~Mom]

I am no expert.

I currently have some in the run and the person I bought them from said they need to be 3 months old before they can sucessfully survive on their own.

Maybe that will help you.

 

[LA~Poulet]

I've read here that they should have 6-8 weeks to become accustomed to your yard and where 'home' is. My keets are with some simiilarly aged chickens in a tractor, and they flock with the chickens, going wherever the chickens go when we let them free range. When I shoo them back into the tractor, they follow behind the chickens (who seem to better know the way) like little ducks in a group.

 

[sred98]

Just my opinion, but I would keep them separate for at least a month, so they can have their game bird feed. I move mine in with the chickens when they get their baby feathers. Then put a feeder of their food, and the chickens have a feeder of their own feed, also.

Once they are in with the chicks and bonded, you can let them out when you let the chickens out. You'll have to train the chicks and keets to go up at night, though. The guineas will follow the chicks.

Shelly

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Spunky~Chick~Mom :

I am no expert.

I currently have some in the run and the person I bought them from said they need to be 3 months old before they can sucessfully survive on their own.

I fully agree. Guinea babies do not do well in free range until about 3 months of age. They get lost and can be hurt by roosters if they are younger than this.

I put my babies in the barn at about 3 months of age and they tend to stay there for a few weeks before venturing out.​

 

[Marlinchaser]

If you are raising them in brooder with chicks they will be fine eating chick starter. I let mine out at the same time I let the chicks they are with out, usually I give them a week if with a mom, 3-4 weeks if without a mom. They will stay with the chicks you are raising(I dont think they are smart enough to know they are not chickens).

They tend to dampen easier than chicks, so I wait till the dew has lifted before I let the young ones out.