Getting them ready to go outside.....a bit nervous *added video*

[SassyKat6181]

So the guineas are 12 weeks old and I am starting to "train" them to go outside and return to the coop(stall) at night. Tonight was the first night I let them out of their coop, but only into our barn aisleway. Their stall is at the opposite end of the outside door, and they have to pass 5 horses to get out. It took a little encouragement to get them to leave, but they seemed to like having the freedom to explore. The walked around and pecked at some hay, and made a whole lot of noise. After about an hour, I put their feeder back in their coop and said "guineas dinner!" and proceeded to herd them back in. All went well and no one freaked out. PHEW! All this worry. I plan to do this for a few nights before I open the barn door and let them explore the field a little bit each night. Does everyone fret about their birds and losing them?

 

[PeepsCA]

I fret, so don't worry you're not alone, lol. Sounds like your training is going great and you have a pretty good plan going (and working!)

It might be helpful to have someone there to help you herd them back in once they get to actually go OUTside, but sounds like the dinner call will work as it is now. Hope so anyway. Congrats on your babies growin' up! Post some pics of them exploring the barn!

 

[chimneyrock]

I'm WAAAAYYY nervous! You are not alone! But your story gives me hope....mine are starting to respond to their "call" I have for them! Good luck with the BIG outdoors

...sounds like you are a great momma!

 

[jcatblum]

Tonight was the first time my DH had seen my Easter chicks outside their coop, he kept herding them back up to the barn. He was being the hovering momma. Most birds have a good instinct & will bring theirselves in & go to bed on their own. I do always worry about them going to far away at first. Never had a bird get lost yet. However- sometimes they do get confussed & go to the wrong coop.

 

[Dawn419]

I was worried too, when we first let ours out to free range. We didn't have internet access at the time and didn't find much useful info on them at the library, which was really aggravating.

I was so glad when they came home to roost their first day out, gave them some scratch grains as a "good job, guys" and now they come running whenever they hear the lid of the feed can go to rattling.

 

[SassyKat6181]

Thanks everyone. Tonight will be day 2 in the barn, and maybe this weekend if I am brave enough I'll let them out a little bit before dark. I haven't found a treat they like more than their crumble feed.....even tried the millet.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

OMG, I don't even want to think about the babies growing up enough to leave the brooder! Mine are getting out of the brooder somehow into the brooder room and they are a dickens to catch. Ina another few days they will go outside in an open coop inside another brooder that is wire bottomed. I hope to keep moving them closer to the outdoors but I don't want to! They are so kissable at this age. Once they grow up they are not so kissable anymore.

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote:
Lmao... hard to kiss those ugly naked heads huh? Gotta love em anyway tho, lol

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Yeah, the grown heads are not as kissable! I am getting used to them though.
Also I can't catch them when they are grown to give them birdie kisses. I would like to touch their heads to see what it feels like.
They sort of remind me of clowns that paint their faces white and make colored eyes and red nose or lips.
I am sure I would still give them kisses if I could catch them and wish I had touched the girl when Joy brought her over but she was freaking out from being taken from her flock and I wanted her to go in the pen and calm down.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

My husband is chomping at the bit to let them outside. He thinks the 12x12 room with perches is "too small" for them, he feels sorry for them. I think I have convinced him that six weeks is too young. He knows I'd inflict bodily harm to him if he let them out without my agreeing. I'm already stressing out about what they will do when they get some freedom - and what the adult guineas will do to them. My male is such a bully.