Guinea found in barn? HELP!!!

[Chicken Momma T]

We just found a random guinea in our barn, how can we move it to our chicken house and get it to stay there instead?

 

[mnferalkitty]

We just found a random guinea in our barn, how can we move it to our chicken house and get it to stay there instead?

Guineas are hard to catch you might have luck with a net, I use a big net with long handle for fishing. you can try and lock it in the coop for a few days so it gets comfortable and wants to stay. My guineas are pretty mean to my chickens so just watch it and make sure its not tormenting your chickens. Guineas like to be in groups and sometimes get lost from thier group so don't be surprised if it doesnt stay. they can fly pretty high.

 

[PeepsCA]

Try catching it at night, in the dark... if you have a flashlight that has a strobe setting on it that will mesmerize and confuse the bird, and you can usually quickly grab it. Just be ready for it to explode when you get your hands in it. I usually push them to the ground firmly if I can, so it can't flap it's wings or escape, then I get my hands around it, pick it up and firmly tuck it under my arm against my side like I am carrying a football to keep the wings under control... with the head/beak facing to the back. Be sure to hang onto the feet while you carry it too... they can be wicked with those claws. Guineas are not fond of being caught/held handled.

I would cage it/quarantine it away from your chickens for a few weeks until you are sure it's healthy, Even de-worm it and dust it for parasites. No need to bring disease or any other nasties into your flock over a free bird.

 

[PeepsCA]

As far as getting it to stay... it generally takes Guineas 6 weeks confinement to imprint on a new home. That is IF your chicken flock accepts it. It may always try to return to it's original flock tho... Guineas are happier in decent sized flocks of their own kind.