Help Please My Guineas ran off into the woods and are G O N E :(

[helendrums]

Is there any chance that my adult guineas will come home? Have kept them in for a month, let them out for 2 days, watching them, them seemed to be getting better about relaxing and foraging, grazing on grass, and becoming more acquainted with the yard. We let them choose about going back into their caged yard. All seemed good, then yesterday in the afternoon, we let them out again, and they just bee lined it into the woods. I am heart broken, I really was becoming quite fond of these guys. Is it really difficult to have adult birds?

 

[JLeigh]

It's very possible they'll come home, but this is what can happen if guineas get to decide where they roost. It isn't always where you want it. If they come home, keep them confined for another month and then when you start letting them out again, make sure you go out each evening - before dark - and secure them back into their pen. They'll relearn the drill and shortly get to the point where they go into the pen at dusk voluntarily, and all you have to do is close them in. You just have to keep it up every evening. Guineas are creatures of routine, but get big ideas for what seems to us to be "no good reason" and do something completely different.

Sorry they wandered, and I hope they come home. Let us know if they do! Good luck.

 

[crchickens]

An added tip our breeder suggested. Keep them in for 8 weeks total, and then only let half out at a time for two weeks. They will return to the others in the evening. After two weeks, let them alk out

 

[JLeigh]

That's a good suggestion and will work. Lot's of people do that with great success.

 

[helendrums]

thank you so much for your suggestions, I will keep the faith, and keep an eye out for them.