Guineas: Why Did I Bother?

[Chic-n-farmer]

PLEASE!
Tell me how to get my guineas to ROAM!!!
I can't get them to leave the chicken yard. They are more than able to leave at will, but they don't. The one time I tried to move them they were back in minutes after I released them. If they do not free range soon I'm going to have to part with them.

 

[kinnip]

I'm so glad I read this thread. I have two keets that are about 2 mo. old. I've been wrestling with the decision to turn them loose. They're still so small. I just couldn't bring myself to let them out. I think I'll wait another two months.

 

[MissPrissy]

Put them out and close the door behind them. Limit their feed. Just enough to keep them coming back but not enough so they are forced to forage.

 

[the1much]

doesnt your guineas come back at night?
and to get them to leave,,haha,,,throw some food out there,,an hour or so before or after you feed the chickens,,,,,,,all my dozen birds (ages 3 months to 8 months) leave the "chicken area" first thing in the morning, and free range round the house all day,,,,then at night, they all stand at the gate for me to let them in!haha

sometimes it takes them a while to get their courage up,,,and whenever they go to a "new area" ,, hang on to your ears,,hehe
some people start feeding their guineas at night,,,early enough for them to eat,, but late enough to close them in the coop,, that usually makes sure they come back every night.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
I agree with Marlinchaser. Let a hen raise them. My granddad told me preferably a banty hen.

They will stay with your flock of chickens instead of acting like crazy guineas.