Letting Guineas Out of the Coop

[Pyxis]

So I've had my guineas for a while now, since July, and they're pretty imprinted on the area. However, they're living in my new nearly complete hoop coop, one that's intended to house all my birds this winter, and I need to finish it. All I have left to do is the floor, but to do it I'm going to need to boot them out. They've had since July to imprint on my area, and they've been in the coop now for four weeks straight. What are the chances that they'll successfully return to the coop now if I let them out? Unfortunately letting part of the flock out and keeping some in to draw them back isn't an option in this case - they all have to be out for me to finish up.

 

[HoneyDreameMom]

I can only go based on my own experience, but I'd say pretty good. We kept our guineas in a small coop/run from the time they were 4-8 weeks old and then let them have free range of the yard, and they're still around months later. My sister did the same thing and was also successful. I have 13 acres and she has 1 acre, but it didn't seem to matter. I did let a few birds out for one or two days, but I believe my sister let all of hers out at the same time.

 

[Pyxis]

Thanks for the advice! I did let them out. They hung around and went into the old coop with the chickens tonight, but at least they went into a coop

They also have taken a shine to one of my BR hens for whatever reason. It's so funny, wherever she went they followed her around and stayed close. She was...confused by this.

 

[HoneyDreameMom]

I love the pictures! Your poor confused chicken. Really glad letting the guineas out went well. Our guineas just tolerate our chickens (they weren't raised together as chicks/keets). They can handle being in the same general space, but if you close the coop door on the guineas when chickens are in the coop too, they freak out! Ours actually roost at night on the roof of our chicken coop (it's in a loafing shed so they're still out of the elements and under cover, so the owls leave them alone).

 

[Pyxis]

Lol thanks! That's Barcode. She's got her own thread now, which I'm working on slowly. They still follow her around - she's out there with them right now.

 

[HoneyDreameMom]

Read Barcode's thread - loved it! What a blessing you rescued her and her sister. Sometimes the lack of stewardship that some people have with animals is astounding. If you don't want an animal or you can't take care of it, don't get it in the first place or give/sell it to someone who will be able to.

It's always nice to see the other side of the spectrum. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[Pyxis]

Thank you! She's quite a character, that hen. The guineas are still stuck to her like glue - they even surround her on the roost at night. Why they like her is a mystery. She's happy for the company, though, and it keeps them from going too far.

 

[HoneyDreameMom]

My sister got a Buff Orpington just last weekend, and she refuses to stay with any of the chickens (they have three different chicken runs). She has instead officially adopted the guineas. She stays in the guinea run/house and free ranges with them during the day. It reminded me of Barcode and your guineas.