Getting Guinea's

[CDennis]

I am getting two Guinea's today, they are grown and raised w/ chickens (I have 12 chickens). How long should they be kept caged before I release them to be w/ the flock?

 

[Munchies]

CDennis,

These are adult guinea who are imprinted on another area... You have to keep them cooped/penned for four to six weeks depending on how similar your place and their previous owners place is set up.

They should be housed with your other birds so that they can see them but not touch. If you free range your birds you will have to keep the new guineas in the coop/pen until the six weeks before allowing to leave the enclosure and let them do it at their own pace.
If they choose not to leave the pen the first day you open the door, leave them be.

Munchies

 

[CDennis]

Wow thats a long time for them poor guys. But will do, they were freerange w/ chickens at their previous home and it will be the same here. But the layout is quite different. Thanks.

 

[Munchies]

To clarify, they need to be coop trained.

After keeping them inside the coop for two weeks, you can leave them out into a covered pen (but not to free range).

You will want to start for short periods at first, just before dusk then herd them back into the coop before dark. You will do that for four weeks making the time they are outside longer each day, until the day you leave the door to the run open. Then you still may have to help them find the door to get back in at night for several weeks.

Otherwise they will roost in a tree overnight and predators and such may take them.