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[mrsfarmchick1]

I asked for help yesterday but got no answers - sorry to have to ask again.... INPUT, please!

My hen hatched out several guinea keets and I need to know if I can let her integrate them into the flock (she is the dominate hen), or if I should isolate her and the keets completely until they are a certain age. Right now I have her in a tote in the chicken house and the keets would not be able to get out, but I guess she could if she wanted (it has only been one day so far).
I have food and water in the tote and the keets are eating/drinking just fine.

The only isolation area I could move her to would be a hutch that is in another chicken run with another flock and I'm afraid she would freak. I want her to be able to raise the guinea keets along with the chicken flock so they would all get along (I have 7 grown guineas that roost in the trees, but get along okay with the chickens - except when the males chase the roosters).

Any suggestions??? - and if I keep her with the flock, when should I tip the tote over so that the keets can leave it?

Online

 

[pdsavage]

Let her out and see how well she does protecting them.

 

[emys]

Why don't you make a chicken wire barrier - can be pretty quick and flimsy- inside the coop to give the mom and baby keets a little corner of the coop for a week or two. That lets the other chickens see and hear them but not pick on or eat their food. Then when the babies are two weeks old, remove/break down the enclosure.

 

[silkieroo]

I have no experience with guineas but having said that I would let her out with the flock and see how she does.

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

Great advice - Thank You All!

 

[Anianna]

Did you ask in the guinea forum? Somebody there may have a better answer for you?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=45