integrating 1 guinea to flock**Happy update***Pic

[artsyrobin]

ok guys- have had our house guinea outside in a pen so the others can see her during the day- with the nice weather- so far the others are curious, pecking at the fence at her, laid down next to the pen for a bit, preening and talking- how long do i need to do this for them to get used to her? is it like chickens? been a couple days and she obviously wants to go play
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[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
I don't know. How long has she been in her own 'lil coop?

 

[artsyrobin]

well, so far i have her in a cage in the coop- - is it possible she considers herself part of 'our' flock, and not a guinea? she has hung out with our banty cochin all her life, and it is quite a challenge having her in the house through the winter, we did have her out running loose and they chased her all over the place- hubby said to just let them work it out- so i am kind of torn whether she will adjust to being with them or a loner? if i have to i can have her with the cochin, feel sorry for her, they still peck at her and she hides her face

 

[robin416]

They'll work it out alright, they'll more than likely kill her. Your only option is to put her in the coop with the others in a secure area or large cage. Allow them to get to know her. If a male seems to want to hang out with her then let him join her.

Introducing a new guinea to the flock takes time and patience.

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, so as it stands, she won't be accepted? she is 5 months old.... so there is little chance for her to be in the flock??

 

[robin416]

Reread what I said. It can be done but it won't happen by just letting her out with the flock.

Do you have an outside pen with a covered top? You can try letting her out in to the outside pen and keep her in there and watch the flock and their reaction. It is possible to tell when one or more want her to join them. But you have to watch for it.

 

[artsyrobin]

sounds like the best solution is a guinea pen, like you mentioned, the others free range- would another alternative be to get some guineas close to her age so she could have a group to be release with eventually? or would that just complicate matters even more?

 

[robin416]

It might but then you'll have the problem of integrating her in with the new young birds. They will already have a bond and she will be the outsider.

You can try adding one with her, you can try adding younger but chances are you'll still have to keep the two groups separate for a bit. You will also have to provide them with a separate entrance in to the coop because the main flock is not going to like having them in their coop.

I've got two age groups, one uses the main entrance the youngest birds use the bird door. But they are a flock during the day.

I notice that there are a few of the youngest now going in the main entrance but not all.

 

[artsyrobin]

an happy update- on mothers day miss guinea has been accepted and is running with the gang- took awhile in a pen....but she is a guinea now!!

 

[robin416]

Guineas are some of the toughest to integrate in with half grown birds. Its easier to do with younger birds. I hadn't given that much thought until now. My keets were out in their own pen in the main coop by six weeks. Once they were allowed out there was some bullying but no trying to kill and run them off. It was more, I'm the boss kind of thing.

You've got the kind of patience that will allow you to enjoy Guinea keeping. What you accomplished is not easy but you got it done. Congrats.