Guinea Help

[deij05]

Last April we bought 4 chick's and 4 guinea keets. We raised them together, and they seemed to get along well. Well, all 4 chickens are now gone, (neighbors dog, blizzard) and all 4 guineas are alive and well. I'm pretty sure I've got 2 females and 2 males, (one of which is pretty dominant I've noticed). I was going to buy a couple more laying hens and stick them in with the guineas but after some research I'm thinking that's a bad idea. (And I'm not sure I can stand to lose anymore chickens... ) Can I introduce new guineas with less problem? Or am I just stuck with these guys until they die or I get rid of them? They are cooped at night and free range during the day. Thanks everyone!

 

[R2elk]

Last April we bought 4 chick's and 4 guinea keets. We raised them together, and they seemed to get along well. Well, all 4 chickens are now gone, (neighbors dog, blizzard) and all 4 guineas are alive and well. I'm pretty sure I've got 2 females and 2 males, (one of which is pretty dominant I've noticed). I was going to buy a couple more laying hens and stick them in with the guineas but after some research I'm thinking that's a bad idea. (And I'm not sure I can stand to lose anymore chickens...

) Can I introduce new guineas with less problem? Or am I just stuck with these guys until they die or I get rid of them? They are cooped at night and free range during the day. Thanks everyone!

It is tough to add anything new to established guineas. Hen guineas are easier to add than anything else. Build a pen within the coop that the guineas are in for the new additions. Keep them in the pen until the attacks from the current guineas subside. Once things have calmed down, (a couple of days to weeks) release one of the new guineas from the pen. If things go well continue releasing the new guineas at the rate of one per day until they are all released.

Remember to have lots of room (4 square feet of floor area per guinea) and lots of hiding places for the guineas that are on the bottom of the pecking order to be able to get away.

Good luck.

 

[deij05]

Thanks! For now we've decided to just leave it be, and in the spring when we can watch them better we'll try introducing more.