Handling guinea fowl

[Salt and timbers]

Hi friends!

I'm new to keeping guineas but not to livestock in general and wanted to ask you more experienced folks about handling these birds.

They are not kept as pets but I did my diligence when they were small to ensure they were manageable. They'll come to my whistles and are easily herded where they need to go.

BUT (I at last get to the point) should I be handling them on a regular basis to keep them somewhat used to the idea? I know if my sheep aren't periodically handled they become much harder to deal with, is the same true for guineas?

I can walk right up and grab them when I need to (leg bands, blu-coat, et. Al.) But they go totally bonkers when I do and it seems exceedingly stressful to them.

Is it better to just leave them be and grab them only when absolutely needed or should I keep them somewhat used to being handled?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[R2elk]

I did not handle my guineas at all. If I needed to handle any of them I would herd them into their coop amd net them.

They would calm down as soon as they were in my hands.

 

[Salt and timbers]

I did not handle my guineas at all. If I needed to handle any of them I would herd them into their coop amd net them.

They would calm down as soon as they were in my hands.

Thanks! Mine don't settle at all once held until I can get their heads covered up. I have no plans to dote on them of course. Seems like it's best to stay hands off then and only snatch them as absolutely needed.

Until their heads are covered, I would say it's about equivalent to handling a wild raccoon.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks! Mine don't settle at all once held until I can get their heads covered up. I have no plans to dote on them of course. Seems like it's best to stay hands off then and only snatch them as absolutely needed.

Until their heads are covered, I would say it's about equivalent to handling a wild raccoon.

As soon as I have my hand holding their legs together and control their wings between my body and my arm, mine get very calm. I never cover their heads. I think they know they are helpless once their legs are controlled.

The other thing that helps calm down a single guinea is to take it where it is out of sight and hearing of the flock.

I know other people that handle their guineas by wrapping them in a soft towel to keep them in control.

 

[Salt and timbers]

As soon as I have my hand holding their legs together and control their wings between my body and my arm, mine get very calm. I never cover their heads. I think they know they are helpless once their legs are controlled.

The other thing that helps calm down a single guinea is to take it where it is out of sight and hearing of the flock.

I know other people that handle their guineas by wrapping them in a soft towel to keep them in control.

I'll try controlling the legs next time. Sounds like that's what I've been doing wrong. I've been using an old beanie hat as a guinea cover up till now.

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

As soon as I have my hand holding their legs together and control their wings between my body and my arm, mine get very calm. I never cover their heads. I think they know they are helpless once their legs are controlled.

The other thing that helps calm down a single guinea is to take it where it is out of sight and hearing of the flock.

I know other people that handle their guineas by wrapping them in a soft towel to keep them in control.

The same here (not the towel, but the legs and wings holding). They are quick to come running and eat out of my hand, but they simply draw the line being picked up.