Guinea fowl problem

[Mike Allen]

Hi I’ve just joined. I have had chickens for a long time and guineas for about 6 years. This years batch of guineas were managed by the mother Guinea while I was ill and now they have grown and are not friendly like my previous birds.
I need to catch most of them and move them on as there are too many in the space and I have buyers.
However I can’t catch them. They fly off as soon as I get close.
Have searched far and wide for something to feed them to sedate them so I can catch them including a few vets but nothing seems to be working.
Has anybody successfully fed them or chickens anything that makes them go to sleep?
The vet tried feeding them acepromazine today but even after she increased the dose it had no effect.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Mike, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Have you tried going out well after dark and getting them? I don't have guineas but that is how I deal with my chickens that I want to catch. I'm not going to chase a chicken around.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens, And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska! Are they In a Coop or free Range ? If there Free Range they most likely Roost high In the Tree's at night. If so maybe a Large Home Made Box Trap ?

 

[Jenbirdee]

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I don't think I'd be comfortable drugging them. I imagine that could do some long-term liver or kidney damage.

 

[Yardmom]

Any way to feed just outside a building and then keep moving the feed in until they can be shut and then caught after dark? Live traps could also be an option.

 

[N F C]

Hello, maybe the folks over on the Guinea forum could offer some assistance: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/guinea-fowl.45/

Best wishes!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Start feeding them in a pen, and once all are comfortable with that close it and catch them. It will take time. I don't think the attempt to tranquilize them is feasible.

 

[Mike Allen]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Have you tried going out well after dark and getting them? I don't have guineas but that is how I deal with my chickens that I want to catch. I'm not going to chase a chicken around.

Sadly they are 5 to 7 meters up a tree then.