Guinea coops

[Christine21656]

Since keeping them with the chickens is out of the question, would sectioning off part of the barn be ok? They could roost in the rafters, they are at least 10 feet tall, maybe 15?? For a pop door, should it be ground level or up higher? Could I leave it open if I have it up 5-6 feet so they can fly in? Do any of you have pictures of y our Guinea coops, so I can get an idea of what they need? I don't plan on getting them for awhile, and I want to make sure I am prepared

Thanks!! Oh, and what is a good number? I know they pair off, so would 20 be ok? Or do I need more? Again, we have 10 acres for them to roam.. the chickens don't free range, they have a run.

 

[PeepsCA]

Your barn idea with high roosts sounds like a good idea... tho a covered pen attached to that would help you train them to come in and roost in the barn more easily.
20 is a good number/good sized flock, but if you end up losing a few to predators that number can get real small real fast. Personally I'd start with several more than you think you'll want permanently running around, because it's easier to start out with a few extra than it is to try adding new birds into an existing flock. (JMO)

I've had better luck with just a regular full sized door, opening it in the AM, closing it at night at feeding time after they all come running in for food. Sometimes a few male Guineas develop this habit of becoming door bullies if there's only a small door and not all the lower Guineas in the pecking order are allowed in each night. Leaving a door open all the time (no matter how small or how high) can allow predators in. Predators can see in the dark, Guineas can't...

 

[Christine21656]

Maybe I'll get 30, then. I don't need much convincing

The bigger door would just make it that much easier

I was thinking of getting a bell to ring when it's time to come in, and giving them some scratch then, too, as an incentive.

 

[PeepsCA]

The bell works, or a specific call... if you are raising them from keets and you always ring the bell or make the same call over and over to them when you are feeding them or giving them treats they will make the connection that when they hear that sound/call it means FOOOOOOD later on when you need to call them in. All of my adults are trained like this and come running anytime from anywhere on my land when I call them. My keet customers crack up when they see a herd of high speed Guineas immediately come running/flying towards us, lol.

My adult Guineas get bored with scratch as a treat... they much more prefer wild bird seed mixes and sweet feed. If you can get white millet they love that too (most wild bird seed mixes contain a lot of white millet, and it's cheaper so that's what I use). Careful if you feed sweet feed tho, the younger Guineas can choke on the corn.

 

[perchie.girl]

I am trying to design for my own guinea housing so am here to learn.

I have had them before but I need to know more.

 

[PeepsCA]

perchie.girl :

I am trying to design for my own guinea housing so am here to learn.

I have had them before but I need to know more.

This is what I've learned from personal experiences with my own flocks over the years:

4 sq feet of space in the coop per Guinea minimum, plenty of high perches at different levels, lots of deep bedding for soft landings, extra feeders and waterers, a large door, or 2 doors to avoid door bullying... and as big of an outside covered run as you can afford to build, with perches, mirrors, dust bathing areas, plus as much free range time as possible makes for a very happy flock

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
This is what I've learned from personal experiences with my own flocks over the years:

4 sq feet of space in the coop per Guinea minimum, plenty of high perches at different levels, lots of deep bedding for soft landings, extra feeders and waterers, a large door, or 2 doors to avoid door bullying... and as big of an outside covered run as you can afford to build, with perches, mirrors, dust bathing areas, plus as much free range time as possible makes for a very happy flock

I had a whole bunch of stuff written down but decided I would be hogging the OPs subject.

I can accomodate all of the above was planning on most of it. the free range part I get nervous about. I lost my last flock to preditors. Mostly chickens.
I reallly want the guineas ingrained to coming back to roost in the coop before I try free ranging them agian.... So Im here to fill in the gaps so I dont loose them all again.

 

[PeepsCA]

Sorry, didn't mean to hog a subject, or go off topic

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Noooooo it was I who was stopping myself from hogging the subject not you. LOL. I am rather new here at BYC even though I have alot of posts I only started posting about three or four weeks ago. LOL I have alot to say in the "" building coops arena"" Building things with no money is my Forte... but am still learning in Guinea husbandry....

 

[Christine21656]

I don't mind if you talk on this thread

I'd love to learn as much as possible!