Guinea talk.

[Victoria-nola]

Wow! 15 perch options is great and I love the idea of using the recycled desk and tire for nesting boxes. I have straw bale caves in my coop and they seem to like the privacy it provides. Fingers crossed that they will be used for nesting this spring. A tire would work well for a dusting area too.... giving me some ideas here. I now have an under the bed box, but would like something with higher sides to keep the straw out and provide some hopping spots for them.

Can you describe what you mean by "straw bale caves"? I am looking for ideas on what to do that might encourage them to nest inside the coop.

 

[guinealeghorn]

Hi! I probably won't post all the time, so don't worry if I disappear for a while. Now. I have 13 guineas. They free range during the summer. They like to pick on each other and my regular chickens. I constantly have to yell at them for it. They like feet. During the summer, they peck my bare toes when I'm wearing flip-flops. When I wear tennis-shoes, they untie the shoelaces... I will post pictures in a second post because I already lost this post the first time le trying to add pictures. I would rather not post it a third time.

 

[guinealeghorn]

So pictures aren't working right now. I will have to try later.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

They weren't to happy that the shelves got ripped out but man does it beat scraping them off weekly with two inch manure from them all standing on them.

Straw caves? Interesting, I myself was thinking of building a community nest box off the ground for them.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

I have had this bouncing around in my head for a while now, what do you guys and gals think of a divider in the coop I have now? The barn is currently 10x12. I was also thinking of the divider being a double-decker for the Ducks to be on the lower half of the divider and the Guineas or Chickens on the top. Even though the Turkeys get along with them, they like to take all the food so i sit in there while they eat so everyone eats. Maybe make the divider 4.5 x 10, since the barn is 12 deep.
James and I are still trying to fit the wire around the trampoline and make a screen roof for it so the Ducks have a safe run.
Would it work or do you think there would be complications with the flock having it in there?

Delta has been coming over to me now when i have food. Their constant little chirps and clicks are cute I love hearing them sing, then Echo gets a wild feather and begins to scream like theres a cat around.

 

[GlennLee]

Can you describe what you mean by "straw bale caves"? I am looking for ideas on what to do that might encourage them to nest inside the coop.

I decided to take a picture and post it, so you could see. Basically I criss-cross the bales and it makes like a little cave for them. They have actually pulled out some straw from the back side of the bales where they were against the wall and have created a little hallway to walk through. The only thing I'm noticing is that I'll have to check the stability in time because they do pick at them - all good for stimulation being stuck in the barn consecutive days in the winter - but I don't want the structure to fall on them. I added a table I bought at the Salvation Army for the one closest to the roost. They like hopping from the roost down onto it and eventually getting to the floor. Since most of mine are the French variety, they prefer to hop and don't do much flying. The girls seem to love being in there and will sometimes hunker down and hide on me! I'm not sure if their behavior will transition into safe nesting spots for them in the spring - the call of the wild is VERY strong and they LOVE the acres and acres of tall grass they free range in for the summer, but I figured it was worth a try.

 

[GlennLee]

Hi! I probably won't post all the time, so don't worry if I disappear for a while. Now. I have 13 guineas. They free range during the summer. They like to pick on each other and my regular chickens. I constantly have to yell at them for it. They like feet. During the summer, they peck my bare toes when I'm wearing flip-flops. When I wear tennis-shoes, they untie the shoelaces... I will post pictures in a second post because I already lost this post the first time le trying to add pictures. I would rather not post it a third time.

Hi guinealeghorn and welcome to Guinea Talk! So glad you joined us here. We love to share silly stories and post pics of our guineas. It's a supportive group of people who love their birds. Your guineas must get pretty close to you if they are able to peck your toes and shoe laces! If you yell at them do they listen or are they like a bunch of kids who ignore you and just keep doing the same behavior?

My flock (currently 12) will rush up to me, but then they stop - they have a 3 foot rule about getting too close. This winter since they have been stuck in the barn, they have been venturing a bit closer to me. I'm playing around with food and trying to get them to the point where they will let me pet them - big jump, and I'm not sure if I'll get there, but it gives me something to play with over the winter.

Soon, we'll all be gearing up for keets and that will be a BIG game changer her on Guinea Talk. Nice to have you as part of this thread and post when you can - no pressure here. We just all enjoy reading and sharing stories, so when the stories and pics come through, that just makes for a good day!

 

[GlennLee]

They weren't to happy that the shelves got ripped out but man does it beat scraping them off weekly with two inch manure from them all standing on them.

Straw caves? Interesting, I myself was thinking of building a community nest box off the ground for them.

Let us know how the nest boxes off the ground work and take some pics. I can't see mine wanting to get off the ground for a nest box - they're hoppers, not fliers - but maybe they would....

 

[GlennLee]

I have had this bouncing around in my head for a while now, what do you guys and gals think of a divider in the coop I have now? The barn is currently 10x12. I was also thinking of the divider being a double-decker for the Ducks to be on the lower half of the divider and the Guineas or Chickens on the top. Even though the Turkeys get along with them, they like to take all the food so i sit in there while they eat so everyone eats. Maybe make the divider 4.5 x 10, since the barn is 12 deep.
James and I are still trying to fit the wire around the trampoline and make a screen roof for it so the Ducks have a safe run.
Would it work or do you think there would be complications with the flock having it in there?

Delta has been coming over to me now when i have food. Their constant little chirps and clicks are cute I love hearing them sing, then Echo gets a wild feather and begins to scream like theres a cat around.

Personally, I like the option of being able to divide out. Is there a way it could be done so it isn't permanent or it could be moved? That would give you some options depending on flock size and breeding needs - you could expand and contract where and when it is needed.

I was thinking of doing something like that in our barn if they end up nesting there to keep mamas and keets separate for a while. Our would have to be non-permanent and that's something to think about constructing in the near future.

I know the guineas will need 3-4 square feet of space per bird and I'm guessing turkeys would require the same amount? I'm not sure on that. Chickens would be less. I can't give you any feedback on the ducks in the trampoline housing - I don't have any ducks and I don't have a trampoline.

There are many ideas for poultry structures that use a mezzanine or two story housing out there on the internet. I would think as long as it is a safe structure, it should be fine and making the barn into two stories will increase your square footage.

If you're keeping the 4 guineas separate - that would require a minimum space of 12-16 square feet - all floor space, excluding feeders, waterers, etc. From my experience, I've found that I've had to provide more than the 3-4 square feet per bird or I have issues with aggression. It may be because I have the French Guineas which are a bit bigger. I think you mentioned wanting to increase the flock, so that will change up your needs down the road. So if the 4.5x10 is only for the guineas that would give you enough space for about 11.

It sounds like Delta is becoming your little honey. I love hearing those happy chirps! She's a sweetie and sounds like she's very attached to you.

Good luck with your ideas and projects! Let us know how it works out for you and I'll keep you posted on if and how we subdivide.

 

[pattyhen]

Thanks everyone, I love my turkeys. When they were little they would follow me like a conja line into the house, they stayed in the brooder to long. Bunch of fun birds.
My boys gobble when I coax them, specially Arthas my youngest tom is the most flashy and vocal.

And yup we have ducks too, four Muscovy's. My drake is a mean one bites all the time even bit me this morning giving me a nasty bruise. The duck hens are cuddle bugs.

I'm hoping the chickens learn to get along I hate seeing them stressed out, I think it really has to do with the memory of our previous rooster who would terrorise the guineas and hens to the point of blood.
James and I this coming year are going to be getting 10 Guinea keets and more chickens, turkeys and possibly ducks.

Thats funny you had a conga line with the turkeys. You should have taken a pic of that.

I've never had a muscovy but I've seen videos of them. I love the way they wag their tails like a dog. I've got mostly runners and some mixes. My ducks are not tame at all. I've got 3 that will eat out of my hand but thats it. No petting or touching.

Thats great you have the room to expand with more birds. I'm afraid if I didn't live in the city there would be limit to the birds I would have. I hope your chickens settle down and get their pecking order straightened out.