Guinea keets in Winter

[Egg_newton]

I am thinking about getting some guinea eggs to hatch. But with it being already August and them taking almost a month to hatch how well would a two to three month old guinea fare in the winter? Here in Indiana winters don't normally get really bad until January/February but not saying December's are warm and toasty either. I think we had planned on them free ranging and roosting in the trees. Kind of like wild birds except we would provide food and water. If it isn't obvious this would be my first time raising guineas. So, all the info you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ziggywiggy]

I'd wait until spring, that way they have plenty of time to acclimate before winter.

 

[Akane]

They would probably be fine if you gave them shelter. Leaving birds to roost in trees is pretty much a death sentence. Cold weather will be harsh on them and predators will get them. Gurantee it. I've heard of several people who lost guineas to owls. Raccoons will also gladly pick them off if they can reach them and coons can climb trees. You need a 4 sided shelter of some kind to keep the birds warm and safe at night.

 

[ziggywiggy]

Yea, I don't think they should run free like that myself. I recently lost a hen to a coyote.
If you're going to get serious about Guineas, you need to raise them similar to the way you would raise chickens. They need a coup to sleep in and they need a large fenced in preditor proof area.