Guinea hens coming with house we bought

[LeslieMiikal]

Hi! I had always planned on getting egg laying hens, but never anticipated inheriting guinea hens while buying a country property. I live in Canada and where we're located it can get intensely cold, like down to -51 two years ago cold. This place has a chicken coop thats quite large, I didnt notice any heat source though. I know heat of some kind will be needed due to water needs, I just dont know what exactly to heat with. Also, I see that guineas prefer high up places, should I do anything in this coop to accomodate that, and if so, what? The guineas cant be rehomed I guess because they've lived their whole lives at this place we're buying but they are only from this year I believe, they roam free range during the day. Im excited to take on this venture and am looking forward to trying the eggs in the spring, any guidance would be great

 

[broody rooster]

hey happy to hear about your guineas you got have you noticed them in the coop yet ? if so its gotten a whole lot easier for you guineas usually sleep in trees or on top of high places as you have already noticed training them to stay in the coop will be difficult if it hasnt already been done and also guineas tend to make there own nests in bushes , on the ground under or on trees so when they start laying eggs you'll have to roam around and look for them

 

[LeslieMiikal]

I think they use the coop at night, they are pretty tame and were raised with hens. We dont get our house until end of October so I havent really been able to see them in action come evening, the previous owner still lives there but I havent spoken with her, everything has just come through the realtor. Im looking to get as well versed in the theory of everything guinea before we get posession basically. I was really happy to hear they control ticks as there has been a tick epidemic as of the last 5 years due to weird weather.

 

[R2elk]

I think they use the coop at night, they are pretty tame and were raised with hens. We dont get our house until end of October so I havent really been able to see them in action come evening, the previous owner still lives there but I havent spoken with her, everything has just come through the realtor. Im looking to get as well versed in the theory of everything guinea before we get posession basically. I was really happy to hear they control ticks as there has been a tick epidemic as of the last 5 years due to weird weather.

I know that realtors do everything they can to try and prevent any interaction between buyers and sellers but...

There is no one who can give you better information than the previous owner. Make an effort to have a thorough conversation with the previous owner.

 

[LeslieMiikal]

Oh I definitely plan to get more information from her, just have to wait a few weeks as there is some kind of surgery taking place. Im impatient is all lol!

 

[broody rooster]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/312682/raising-guinea-fowl-101 this link should help

 

[LeslieMiikal]

Thank you for the info link

 

[ElliottAcres]

I was thinking that the guineas will continue to sleep wherever they currently sleep. Are you concerned about getting them in the barn for the winter? Hopefully the current owner has already trained them, and then you shouldn't need to worry about adding roosts or making physical changes to the building.

I can not stress strongly enough: make sure to learn her morning/evening routine with them. I know my guineas are pretty upset if we change the time/way we bring them in. Ours love white millet, so that is part of our routine when they come inside. And despite doing the same thing for about a year now, one or two sometimes "forget" how to walk through the door. They are incredibly light on intelligence, particularly when they become nervous or separated from the pack.

I hope you enjoy them and congratulations on your new venture!

 

[discerning]

Congratulations on the guinea hens! We have five and seven chickens. I keep them in separate coops. They don't need heat just protection at night.
They are LOUD so I hope it is not too annoying.
Good luck!
Susan