Keep you Guineas in a seperate enclosure until they are about 12 weeks old. They require Game bird feed and this is really Crucial that they get it while growing.
At 12 weeks my Guineas (the ones I want to keep) go to the barn in the evening. I do cage them every once in a while if the other Guineas are much older.
It is important to keep them in the coop or barn for a few weeks (it won't kill 'em) with game feed and poultry grain.
My Guineas do not hesitate comming into the barn to roost and they are free range just like the chickens.
Once they are eating bugs you can tone down the game feed as they will get enough protien. HOWEVER, in the winter you really do need to start up with the game bird feed as they are no longer getting protien from bugs.
Domestic Guineas are pretty good in the cold. Make sure they have buds to snuggle up with and DO NOT force them out in the cold and BE very vigilant that they do not get wet.
The info you have about mating and egg laying in great.
Keep your babies warm until they are old enough to go to the barn.
They are JUST LIKE chickens in this area. One thing about Guinea babies is they do not feather out well until about 12 weeks. Chickens get there about 10 weeks. In the summer you can throw your babies out at 10 weeks. The winter is a different situation and they really need those extra weeks.
When you DO get them in the barn/coop make sure they are eating and drinking as they are pretty timid.
I throw mine bread at times and they ALL come a running. This keeps them freindly and you can watch them move to make sure they are doing well. A healthy Guinea will run like the devil and even fly a good distance.
At 12 weeks my Guineas (the ones I want to keep) go to the barn in the evening. I do cage them every once in a while if the other Guineas are much older.
It is important to keep them in the coop or barn for a few weeks (it won't kill 'em) with game feed and poultry grain.
My Guineas do not hesitate comming into the barn to roost and they are free range just like the chickens.
Once they are eating bugs you can tone down the game feed as they will get enough protien. HOWEVER, in the winter you really do need to start up with the game bird feed as they are no longer getting protien from bugs.
Domestic Guineas are pretty good in the cold. Make sure they have buds to snuggle up with and DO NOT force them out in the cold and BE very vigilant that they do not get wet.
The info you have about mating and egg laying in great.
Keep your babies warm until they are old enough to go to the barn.
They are JUST LIKE chickens in this area. One thing about Guinea babies is they do not feather out well until about 12 weeks. Chickens get there about 10 weeks. In the summer you can throw your babies out at 10 weeks. The winter is a different situation and they really need those extra weeks.
When you DO get them in the barn/coop make sure they are eating and drinking as they are pretty timid.
I throw mine bread at times and they ALL come a running. This keeps them freindly and you can watch them move to make sure they are doing well. A healthy Guinea will run like the devil and even fly a good distance.
