I’m new to Guineas

[R2elk]

Well I did get them for pest control, but if they don’t have a coop how do I introduce them to the outdoors and when? Thanks

If you don't have a secure coop for them at night, the predators will get them.

 

[R2elk]

I’ve also seen where some people say you should raise them with chicks and some people say you shouldn’t. What is best? There are 5 guineas and I don’t know age but if I had to guess I would say about a week, but again I’m new to guineas. I really do appreciate any help!

Read the thread Raising Guinea Fowl 101 and pay particular attention to posts made by @PeepsCA .

 

[Isadora]

Well I did get them for pest control, but if they don’t have a coop how do I introduce them to the outdoors and when? Thanks

Well, you need a coop. I don't think there's another option. They will just get eaten.

 

[hysop]

Raise them in a coop the first 4 months, preferably 6. Then let them free range.

Mine had a coop but my older guineas soon abandoned their coop so now they sleep on top of the fence where my chickens’ coop is. When I let the younger guineas free range they would go inside the coop but then they started following the adults now I have all my guineas sleeping where they shouldn’t.

I say train them right the first time because if you get more later the older ones will teach the younger bad habits.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

I have a lean to that I might be able to make into a coop. If not I’ll definitely work something out. What size brooder do you recommend? I have them in a temporary brooder as of now. If I do end up with a lean to coop (or any coop) when should I take them out to the coop?

 

[Sydney65]

I have a lean to that I might be able to make into a coop. If not I’ll definitely work something out. What size brooder do you recommend? I have them in a temporary brooder as of now. If I do end up with a lean to coop (or any coop) when should I take them out to the coop?

Welcome! - ok, as R2Elk said, you'll get a lot out of reading Guineas 101 at beginning of this forum. It's under the sticky notes, I think.
Keets thrive at birth for abt 48 hrs from the yolk they absorbed before hatch. Thats why they can be shipped out to ppl w/1 day mail service. I tell you that to give you an idea off your youngins age. - not very old.
As you'll learn in the 101, keets require specific care-housing, feeding, temperature. Monitor their bums freqyently for pasty butt. It will kill fhem.
Yes, they need warm water, and it has to be shallow or otherwise contained so they don't drown. Often ppl start off with a saucer w/pebbles in it. I bought the cups & inserted into a juice bottle.
Depending on your climate, they can move outside at 4-8 wks. You will want a secure coop for them that can be closed and locked for 2 reasons. 1-to keep predators out, & 2 bc you're going to keep them locked in for a month so they learn that is home and return to it at night.
Most of us got them originally to eat bugs. We quickly became attached. You'll want to do everything you can to protect them, be sure nothing can climb in, under or over their coop.
Guineas raised w/other birds don't realize the other birds aren't guineas, and they will fight, terrorize, chase, bite, pull feathers & mate w/them. Since other birds don't have guinea behavior,they've no chance of defending themselves. Separate housing creates a more peaceful barnyard.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

Welcome! - ok, as R2Elk said, you'll get a lot out of reading Guineas 101 at beginning of this forum. It's under the sticky notes, I think.
Keets thrive at birth for abt 48 hrs from the yolk they absorbed before hatch. Thats why they can be shipped out to ppl w/1 day mail service. I tell you that to give you an idea off your youngins age. - not very old.
As you'll learn in the 101, keets require specific care-housing, feeding, temperature. Monitor their bums freqyently for pasty butt. It will kill fhem.
Yes, they need warm water, and it has to be shallow or otherwise contained so they don't drown. Often ppl start off with a saucer w/pebbles in it. I bought the cups & inserted into a juice bottle.
Depending on your climate, they can move outside at 4-8 wks. You will want a secure coop for them that can be closed and locked for 2 reasons. 1-to keep predators out, & 2 bc you're going to keep them locked in for a month so they learn that is home and return to it at night.
Most of us got them originally to eat bugs. We quickly became attached. You'll want to do everything you can to protect them, be sure nothing can climb in, under or over their coop.
Guineas raised w/other birds don't realize the other birds aren't guineas, and they will fight, terrorize, chase, bite, pull feathers & mate w/them. Since other birds don't have guinea behavior,they've no chance of defending themselves. Separate housing creates a more peaceful barnyard.

I’m in the process of figuring out a coop . Its usually in the high 90s during the day and in the high 80s at night. What age should I take them outside in these temps? Do they look a week old? I can try to contact the lady who sold them and ask her their age. Thank y’all for all the info! I appreciate it!

 

[Sydney65]

I’m in the process of figuring out a coop . Its usually in the high 90s during the day and in the high 80s at night. What age should I take them outside in these temps? Do they look a week old? I can try to contact the lady who sold them and ask her their age. Thank y’all for all the info! I appreciate it!

This one was born yesterday. She/he should technically either be in the incubator or brooder but she's an only hatch, so for now she sleeps in a container about the size of a dutch oven w/ a heating pad & cloth diaper under her & the diaper curling over her like a cave. She's quite content.
You'll probably be ready to move them out at 4 wks. In the mean time, you'll be dropping the temp weekly in the brooder per that 101 info. Not sure what you're using, my brooder is usually a tote box. I have a heat mat, a brooder heater, and I always end up using grandma's heating pad
(search in here how to do). I've never used a heat light.
Mine tend to stay in longer, bc I'm me. In the meantime, when their stable on their feet & the heat outside is equal to that of their brooder, I take them outside WITH ME. I have a covered kennel we go in to run around and explore.
If you already have a lean to, I would consider how you can turn it into an enclosed secure area. Bury hardcloth below, fence it in, enclose a portion of it that has a roost and drop board. You'll want to make sure it is ventilated,dry, and shaded. You can have a run off of it for times that you don't want them free, ie bad weather or when your ladies start laying eggs and want to nest in timbucktu.

 

[Sydney65]

Ps- from the pic, it doesn't look like yours has lost it's egg tooth yet, so it's probably not over 3-5 days old.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

View attachment 2737353
This one was born yesterday. She/he should technically either be in the incubator or brooder but she's an only hatch, so for now she sleeps in a container about the size of a dutch oven w/ a heating pad & cloth diaper under her & the diaper curling over her like a cave. She's quite content.
You'll probably be ready to move them out at 4 wks. In the mean time, you'll be dropping the temp weekly in the brooder per that 101 info. Not sure what you're using, my brooder is usually a tote box. I have a heat mat, a brooder heater, and I always end up using grandma's heating pad
(search in here how to do). I've never used a heat light.
Mine tend to stay in longer, bc I'm me. In the meantime, when their stable on their feet & the heat outside is equal to that of their brooder, I take them outside WITH ME. I have a covered kennel we go in to run around and explore.
If you already have a lean to, I would consider how you can turn it into an enclosed secure area. Bury hardcloth below, fence it in, enclose a portion of it that has a roost and drop board. You'll want to make sure it is ventilated,dry, and shaded. You can have a run off of it for times that you don't want them free, ie bad weather or when your ladies start laying eggs and want to nest in timbucktu.

Their brooder is a storage tote, My chicks have a big dollhouse brooder that I made a thread about, but they are moving out in ≈ 2 weeks, so the guineas can spend there last brooding week or 2 in the big brooder if I want them to. Thanks for the info