Guineas, WHEN TO TURN THE OUT OF THE COOP??

[DonnaBelle]

Hi all,

Can one of your guinea folks give me an idea about when to turn my 9 Guinea keets (about 3-4 weeks old, size of a bob white quail) loose to roam??

I do know to turn them loose 2-3 at a time. I just want them to come in the barn at night (where I'm giving them millet)

Thanks,

DonnaBelle

 

[robin416]

Actually depending on where you live you can turn them out now. They will not go far, probably no further than the door to their current digs until they gather courage to go exploring. They might even choose to stay in the barn for a couple of weeks.

I don't turn out just two or three. I turn them all out at the same time. Turning out just two or three causes a great deal of stress when they are separated like that from their flock. In the early turn out phase they will more than likely act as a single unit since there is safety in numbers. Don't force them to move faster than they are ready to, they'll gain courage and move out a little further each day.

 

[tomingreeneco]

Once I moved mine from inside out to their coop I kept them in the outdoor coop for 6 weeks before I let them out. The first two days they just stood by the door looking out. LOL On the third day they came outside, but did not roam very far. Now they go everywhere and ALWAYS come back at night for lock down. GUINEAS RULE!!