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Mirrormasc09 said:
When I initially bought my flock of guineas I started with 22, I had an overly curious dog who slaughtered 4 after they were successfully released, and then an additional 3 over a 2 week span. (Said dog was rehomed after multiple attempts at keeping her in a yard etc... I don’t personally like chains)

I now only have a remaining 10 (maybe 11 if my broody hen hunch is accurate). They’re happy and great layers but I can no longer get them to roost in a coop, they prefer the tree outside the coop. I’d really like to get my birds to roost in a coop at night due to an abundance of predators in Texas, only so much our Anatolian Shepard can do for me. And with a new batch of guineas starting to hatch I’m considering a crazy idea.

Is it worth while and ok to take my completely free range guineas and keep them cooped until the new hatchings can be integrated with their parents and hopefully start over with training them to roost in a coop? Or will they run for the hills when I rerelease them?

P.S. crazy excited about my pipping keets tonight.

I’m sorry for the long read, thank you in advance.
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I've found that having baby keets is exciting, but causes me worry when I leave raising them to my Guinea mamas. Mainly, the adults accidentally stepping on the keets, snakes getting in, etc. My last group of babies, I removed from the coop (I hated taking them from Mama). I had several reasons for thinking this was best. Mainly, I was afraid of them being stepped on in early morning when the gang was antsy to get out. Like you, some of mine went to the trees at night and that continues to be their thing. Others, I'm keeping in the coop all day. As the babies outgrew their brooder, I moved them into a smaller coop that allowed them to be "viewed/introduced" to the main flock that free ranges. I'd toss grain in the proximity of the smaller coop with the keets to make it a kind of "community gathering" happy place and watch to see how the two flocks acted knowing the younger ones were safe. I was very nervous letting the babies out. Some say to let only one baby out at a time. I didn't. They all stuck very close to the coop. I did worry that this younger flock could intice some older flock members to fly away. I waited until they were almost full size to let them out. Each night I'd be sure to be there before lock up time to get every one in place. Today, some Guineas return to the coop on their own. Some, choose the tree. I'm gradually trying to separate and section off my "pairs" in the larger coop. I don't think your Guineas will fly away if you coop them and then release. It sounds like they know where home is. Plus, they're laying well, so we know they are happy. I get that you want them to "know" the new arrivals. I've heard that Guinea mamas don't give the best care. My females try hard to keep their babies safe, but I have better success caring for them myself. I'm pleased with the way they mixed after being separated and then reintroduced. I wish you the best with all of your new arrivals. Be sure to share any tricks that you learn.
 
Pounddogsrock said:
I've found that having baby keets is exciting, but causes me worry when I leave raising them to my Guinea mamas. Mainly, the adults accidentally stepping on the keets, snakes getting in, etc. My last group of babies, I removed from the coop (I hated taking them from Mama). I had several reasons for thinking this was best. Mainly, I was afraid of them being stepped on in early morning when the gang was antsy to get out. Like you, some of mine went to the trees at night and that continues to be their thing. Others, I'm keeping in the coop all day. As the babies outgrew their brooder, I moved them into a smaller coop that allowed them to be "viewed/introduced" to the main flock that free ranges. I'd toss grain in the proximity of the smaller coop with the keets to make it a kind of "community gathering" happy place and watch to see how the two flocks acted knowing the younger ones were safe. I was very nervous letting the babies out. Some say to let only one baby out at a time. I didn't. They all stuck very close to the coop. I did worry that this younger flock could intice some older flock members to fly away. I waited until they were almost full size to let them out. Each night I'd be sure to be there before lock up time to get every one in place. Today, some Guineas return to the coop on their own. Some, choose the tree. I'm gradually trying to separate and section off my "pairs" in the larger coop. I don't think your Guineas will fly away if you coop them and then release. It sounds like they know where home is. Plus, they're laying well, so we know they are happy. I get that you want them to "know" the new arrivals. I've heard that Guinea mamas don't give the best care. My females try hard to keep their babies safe, but I have better success caring for them myself. I'm pleased with the way they mixed after being separated and then reintroduced. I wish you the best with all of your new arrivals. Be sure to share any tricks that you learn.
Click to expand...

My girls lay in the most random places as far from home as possible, I always have to search and haven’t had luck in finding a nest in about a month. I love my birds and they seem to tolerate me to some degree as long as I don’t make any sudden movements or walk directly towards them. I leave them treats and feed under their tree so im praying they never leave lol but their numbers are dwindling and it’s breaking my heart a bit. I’m having a terrible hatch rate, 33%, it’s very rare that their eggs aren’t fertile it’s something on my end sadly.
 
Mirrormasc09 said:
My girls lay in the most random places as far from home as possible, I always have to search and haven’t had luck in finding a nest in about a month. I love my birds and they seem to tolerate me to some degree as long as I don’t make any sudden movements or walk directly towards them. I leave them treats and feed under their tree so im praying they never leave lol but their numbers are dwindling and it’s breaking my heart a bit. I’m having a terrible hatch rate, 33%, it’s very rare that their eggs aren’t fertile it’s something on my end sadly.
Click to expand...
Hey. You’re doing a great job. Try not to get flustered, but losing our pets is upsetting. I didn’t mention in my posts, that I DO set live traps every night. I have them located in between the wood line and my “Guinea Roosting” tree. I also keep the bird feeder (with sunflower seeds) at least half full for the night time. If coons pass a trap, the bird feeder acts as another deterrent, located on a “decoy” tree. The Guineas love the sunflower seeds too, so they love to gather around when I’m filling wild bird feeders. Gradually, they’ll come closer and closer. I’ve never had one be tame to where I could pet it.
Regarding your hatch rate, I felt like I was somehow failing as I compared my hatch experience with Guineas to my successes with raising chickens. I find chickens eggs easier by far. I also know that there were several eggs in one clutch that didn’t hatch. They were about half way developed before they passed. I guess my point is, Mama Pearl has a better hatch ratio than me and my old incubator. I thought of purchasing a new one, but am leaning towards letting the females hatch them, and then I take the keets and raise them in the coop, to coop train, etc. I hate to take them from a ma who sat a month, but I feel the keets are safer in a more controlled setting. Then, on to the next stage with mixing back together. I have posts that received helpful advice from others regarding mixing of flocks.
As far as finding the hidden nests, watch real close as to where your “pairs” are hanging around. The eggs are close. Last year, a mama laid a nest in our burn brush pile. I pick up and remove the clutch from a dangerous spot, and relocate to a nest in the coop. There are times when I’ve looked all over for those missing two or three full grown. I thought for sure the neighbor’s dog got them, etc., and then boop, there they are. So, when they come as a group, like when you put out the special treats to keep them by the tree, watch real close to see where your laying pairs wander. They’re slick🤪. If you look at my posts, there’s that guy that has been most helpful. He’s the word “Elk”, with 2 numbers and a letter (but I don’t have it memorized). His very good input is in the Guinea forum. He’s quick to respond and very thorough. He’s VERY knowledgeable. I’m trying to keep my question load at a minimum so as not to bother him too much 🙄. My best to you and your Guineas! Good luck finding those nests!
 
Mirrormasc09 said:
My girls lay in the most random places as far from home as possible, I always have to search and haven’t had luck in finding a nest in about a month. I love my birds and they seem to tolerate me to some degree as long as I don’t make any sudden movements or walk directly towards them. I leave them treats and feed under their tree so im praying they never leave lol but their numbers are dwindling and it’s breaking my heart a bit. I’m having a terrible hatch rate, 33%, it’s very rare that their eggs aren’t fertile it’s something on my end sadly.
Click to expand...
We could try troubleshooting your incubator if you like... I’m on the May hatchalong and there are lots of knowledgeable hatchers able to help with the various incubators that people use.
 
Pounddogsrock said:
Hey. You’re doing a great job. Try not to get flustered, but losing our pets is upsetting. I didn’t mention in my posts, that I DO set live traps every night. I have them located in between the wood line and my “Guinea Roosting” tree. I also keep the bird feeder (with sunflower seeds) at least half full for the night time. If coons pass a trap, the bird feeder acts as another deterrent, located on a “decoy” tree. The Guineas love the sunflower seeds too, so they love to gather around when I’m filling wild bird feeders. Gradually, they’ll come closer and closer. I’ve never had one be tame to where I could pet it.
Regarding your hatch rate, I felt like I was somehow failing as I compared my hatch experience with Guineas to my successes with raising chickens. I find chickens eggs easier by far. I also know that there were several eggs in one clutch that didn’t hatch. They were about half way developed before they passed. I guess my point is, Mama Pearl has a better hatch ratio than me and my old incubator. I thought of purchasing a new one, but am leaning towards letting the females hatch them, and then I take the keets and raise them in the coop, to coop train, etc. I hate to take them from a ma who sat a month, but I feel the keets are safer in a more controlled setting. Then, on to the next stage with mixing back together. I have posts that received helpful advice from others regarding mixing of flocks.
As far as finding the hidden nests, watch real close as to where your “pairs” are hanging around. The eggs are close. Last year, a mama laid a nest in our burn brush pile. I pick up and remove the clutch from a dangerous spot, and relocate to a nest in the coop. There are times when I’ve looked all over for those missing two or three full grown. I thought for sure the neighbor’s dog got them, etc., and then boop, there they are. So, when they come as a group, like when you put out the special treats to keep them by the tree, watch real close to see where your laying pairs wander. They’re slick🤪. If you look at my posts, there’s that guy that has been most helpful. He’s the word “Elk”, with 2 numbers and a letter (but I don’t have it memorized). His very good input is in the Guinea forum. He’s quick to respond and very thorough. He’s VERY knowledgeable. I’m trying to keep my question load at a minimum so as not to bother him too much 🙄. My best to you and your Guineas! Good luck finding those nests!
Click to expand...

You're looking for R2Elk. He's knowledgeable about turkeys and other fowl as well. A good guy.
 
Mixed flock enthusiast said:
We could try troubleshooting your incubator if you like... I’m on the May hatchalong and there are lots of knowledgeable hatchers able to help with the various incubators that people use.
Click to expand...
I am due for a new one! My old styrofoam birthing center has brought many new additions over the years, but it’s archaic at this point😆. I don’t trust it anymore. I really would like to see what my hatch ratio would be with a newer model. One day soon. Thanks again🦋
 

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