Giving guineas away :'(

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

If I need to handle a guinea, I herd it into the coop and net it. Once caught, I hold its legs together with my left hand and position it between my arm and body to control its wings. There is no feather shedding panic and they calm down very quickly as long as the other guineas are not there to egg it on.

The last time I had to grab one was a few weeks ago. I was working late, it was raining, and only half of the guineas were in the coop when I got home several hours after dark. Most were roosting on a low tree branch so I pushed them off into a waiting net. That sounds a lot smoother than it really was... I ended up having to chase down and grab several. I was surprised at how relatively calm they were about the whole process. My daughter grabbed one by the tail, like she grabs the roosters... she ended up with a fistful of tail feathers and poor Viceroy was a tail-less mess the next day then immediately went broody! If I can net them, then I can grab them ok without complete disaster. Usually.

 

[R2elk]

The last time I had to grab one was a few weeks ago. I was working late, it was raining, and only half of the guineas were in the coop when I got home several hours after dark. Most were roosting on a low tree branch so I pushed them off into a waiting net. That sounds a lot smoother than it really was... I ended up having to chase down and grab several. I was surprised at how relatively calm they were about the whole process. My daughter grabbed one by the tail, like she grabs the roosters... she ended up with a fistful of tail feathers and poor Viceroy was a tail-less mess the next day then immediately went broody! If I can net them, then I can grab them ok without complete disaster. Usually.

You can reassure your daughter that she did not cause the guinea any pain when she pulled out its tail feathers. Birds have the ability to release their feathers as a defense mechanism. This is also a good reason to never grab a bird by its tail feathers as all you will end up with is a handful of feathers.

 

[yakitori]

she ended up with a fistful of tail feathers

New feather duster?

Mine never come up to be petted. But I would grab one from time to time when they’re close enough to make sure they remember that I’m allowed to grab them I cup them very firmly from both sides, I’ve been doing it to then since they were wee chicks so their first response is usually to freeze - not struggle. By the time the remember to struggle, I have them in a good tuck under my arms

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

New feather duster?

Mine never come up to be petted. But I would grab one from time to time when they’re close enough to make sure they remember that I’m allowed to grab them I cup them very firmly from both sides, I’ve been doing it to then since they were wee chicks so their first response is usually to freeze - not struggle. By the time the remember to struggle, I have them in a good tuck under my arms

Well I felt pretty bad looking at that big clump of feathers the next day, just because it reminded me so much of the aftermath of a predator attack. I was, however, very grateful that my daughter was willing to help me catch guineas in the dark, in the rain! She really is such a sweetheart. Tail feathers seem like a generally good way to grab chickens, especially roosters. They lose a feather or two sometimes but it’s not like ours are show chickens... Since my daughter keeps a rooster flock, she’s pretty used to handling them.

When I grabbed a sick guinea hen last summer and restrained her to swab her mouth, she struggled like crazy so I wrapped her in a towel. As I opened her mouth, she became frantic and died. From her necropsy, she was probably a goner anyway, but I do wonder if she’d been tamer if she would have survived my restraint.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

You can reassure your daughter that she did not cause the guinea any pain when she pulled out its tail feathers. Birds have the ability to release their feathers as a defense mechanism. This is also a good reason to never grab a bird by its tail feathers as all you will end up with is a handful of feathers.

All birds, or just some?
Zapraska's never done that when I grab his tail... he does, however, shriek and scream like a schoolgirl, the ninny bantam.

 

[R2elk]

All birds, or just some?
Zapraska's never done that when I grab his tail... he does, however, shriek and scream like a schoolgirl, the ninny bantam.

All birds can do it. It does not necessarily mean they will do it.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Feeding them from my hands was cute until they were 5 weeks old. They wanted a piece of my palm with every bite

Yes, yes, yes - that is how one of my favorite, late Guineas got the name "Pinchy"

She was such a character - even when she died - I tried to get her to drink something and she just wanted to be left alone - I pestered her and she finally took a sip and then turned around abruptly and died - so sad, but also so typical for her: Here, I took a sip, now I am gone. Bye.

She did everything with pizzazz. And she cheered me up, even in her last moment of life. Only Pinchy would be that determined and matter-of-factly. She knew who she was and what she was doing here. When the others ran at her to threaten her, she did not budge and they sometimes ran into her. Their threats did not impress her. Like she was saying: Do you mind, I am walking here.

I miss her, but so glad to have known her.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Best way for me to catch a Guinea is at night - I pluck them off the roosting bars after sneaking up on them when they are ready to go to sleep - it works for the first 4-5, then everyone disappears under the roosting bar drop boards, he he. I do my worming in stages.

 

[southwind00]

You can reassure your daughter that she did not cause the guinea any pain when she pulled out its tail feathers. Birds have the ability to release their feathers as a defense mechanism. This is also a good reason to never grab a bird by its tail feathers as all you will end up with is a handful of feathers.

That is enlightening and reassuring to know because my pearl hen (big males mate) had a close encounter of a fox kind I presume on Wednesday . I did see a fisher with a rabbit on the other side of the north fence a couple days before but I don't think they are fast enough to catch a guinea ( I could be wrong).

I am a little concerned how fast the feathers will grow back. The picture doesn't really show the full bare patch that I can see when she spreads her wings and does her wing stretching. I don't provide any heat in my coop either and for the two years I have had guineas and had some pretty serious bouts of -10 to -20's days in a row I am impressed how well they do, I do put plexiglass over the windows and keep the coop draft free.

Best way for me to catch a Guinea is at night - I pluck them off the roosting bars after sneaking up on them when they are ready to go to sleep - it works for the first 4-5, then everyone disappears under the roosting bar drop boards, he he. I do my worming in stages.

You worm them? Is it something I should consider?

 

[My2butterflies]

Guineas are bold. I love'em. Never had a chicken. Afraid I would not like the Guineas as much anymore since I hear how chickens can be picked up and cuddle - I would be spoiled, ha ha.

I have chickens, guineas, and turkeys right now. Chickens are on the bottom of my “must have” list. I do love them, but if I had to get rid of them I could without a fuss.
Guineas I can’t, I’m so hooked. Everything about them I just love. Same with my turkeys. I got them with the intention of eating them....Haha. That was all wrecked the moment I started cuddling one of them. Now he is my baby and will be a life long pet.
Baby snuggles, Beep-Beep.

And Jenny, our only female.
I never held her much as a little baby, but turns out she’s a snuggler too.

Try turkeys. The poults are professionals at grabbing onto your heartstrings.

Yes. You see people say it but don’t realize just how true it is till you experience it.
And their gobbling.... Ugh. I hope I can make back a little bit by selling poults and eggs next year. I need to make enough money to buy a turkey from the grocery store for thanksgiving