integrating with flock of chickens

[artsyrobin]

my guineas are 7 weeks old and in a run and hutch within the chicken run, how long should i keep them separated from my little chicken flock? the young chickens seem to be pretty much ignoring them... the chicken pen is chain link, the guinea pen is hardware cloth

 

[sred98]

If they are close to the same age, I put them together once they are feathered out. This way the guineas bond to the chickens and don't run off. Mine also roost with the chickens.

Good luck!

Shelly

 

[Paegglvr]

They should be ok, I put mine in with the chickens around 8-ish weeks (once they had their feathers) and they were fine. They learn quick to stay out of the rooster's way. I would mix them together when you have some time to observe them for a few minutes...

They will bond with the other poultry though. I kept my guineas and poults in the same brooder and they are inseparable now.

 

[Cairina moschata]

I put my adult guineas in with my juvenille chickens- big mistake. I came back the next day and all the chickens were huddled in the corner of the 16'x16' pen and about half of them were missing their tailfeathers. The guineas made a game out of chasing the chickens away from the feed and waterers. It was funny to watch at first but it's tough to get eggs out of a chicken that's scared of those godzilla birds. I also had a few guinea chicks this year hatched out by my mutt banties which imprinted on the chickens- these guineas still act weird but at least roost/get along with the chickens.

 

[sred98]

Quote:
Oh yeah, they will bully the chickens if they are smaller. The chickens just learn to stay out of the way. My top 2 guineas are a pair, and they were raised with my hen and 2 oldest pullets. My hen saved them from a dog attack when they were younger, and they leave her alone and share food with those 3 chickens. Everyone else...LOOK OUT! However, they back down from the 2 geese I have.

Shelly

 

[artsyrobin]

well, the hens have just started laying and the guineas are 8 weeks, and have been in an enclosure with the chickens, but seperated, so sometime this week i'll try and see how they do...

 

[jsimplytx125]

Oh yes, please tell me know. Mine keets are that age now and also my hens are about to start laying (RIRs). I've been wondering when to let them bond too.

Another question; Do I let them loose inside the coop for a number of days before letting them go out with the chickens to the run? Run is in shade trees, 25 by 16.

 

[lovinlife]

I've read here that you should integrate the guineas one at a time, or at least to let them learn to free range one at a time so they want to stay with the rest of their flock. I would think that would help keep them from bullying the hens.

My guineas are around 15 weeks now. They're in with my 14 week-old Ameraucanas and they all get along fine. They're separated from my laying hens, but are right next to them. I'd love to let them out with the hens to free range, but I'm concerned about the younger ones eating the laying pellets. That's my only concern. Is anyone else keeping your younger keets separate from your hens for that reason?

 

[artsyrobin]

well, we have had our guineas in the run within the run for a week, yesterday we raised it up so they could go in and out at will but still be in the main run. So far the chickens seem to have accepted them, with a few flurry's, so will leave it like that for another week, then hopefully they will roost in the coop...

 

[sred98]

Sounds like a great start! Congratulations!

Shelly