looking for info, tips, or experiences with guinea hens

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mikeah28

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My partner and I got a flock of guineas for the first time this year. We've had chickens in the past, unfortunately our neighbors german shepherd kept picking them off one by one so we shipped the survivors to a no kill farm. We also have dogs and cats and after a year without the chickens we had a bad tick problem...so a friend recommended guinea hens because they are meaner, faster, and could fly to get away.We bought 11 but one vanished and another was hit by a car so down to 9. It was a challenge but we finally got them to go into their coop at night on their own, or so we thought. For the 1st time tonight 2 of them would not go in the coop with the rest, can usual coax them in if need be but they would not go. They run when I try to catch them and were getting so amped up that I just let them be so now their just sitting outside on the ground in the rain. There was a bad thunder storm when they usually go in. Any info at all would be a great help
 
I own, raise and breed guinea fowl. They are an amazing bird. My suggestion is lock them down for six weeks or more until they learn to go in the coop at night without being coaxed. I currently own 18 domestics and 16 jumbos, hatched all but my 7 breeders, 4 blues and 1 juvenile.
Edit: This method of lock down has worked for me and my fiance.
Also welcome to byc glad to see new members joining, this is a great community.
Feel free to pop on by the Guinea talk forums.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/guinea-talk.1105889/
 
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:welcome

I've never raised guineas but hope the knowledgeable folks in the guinea section can answer all your questions.

Best of luck!
 
Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC! :frow
We are so glad you joined our flock.

Hop right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:
 
mikeah28 said:
My partner and I got a flock of guineas for the first time this year. We've had chickens in the past, unfortunately our neighbors german shepherd kept picking them off one by one so we shipped the survivors to a no kill farm. We also have dogs and cats and after a year without the chickens we had a bad tick problem...so a friend recommended guinea hens because they are meaner, faster, and could fly to get away.We bought 11 but one vanished and another was hit by a car so down to 9. It was a challenge but we finally got them to go into their coop at night on their own, or so we thought. For the 1st time tonight 2 of them would not go in the coop with the rest, can usual coax them in if need be but they would not go. They run when I try to catch them and were getting so amped up that I just let them be so now their just sitting outside on the ground in the rain. There was a bad thunder storm when they usually go in. Any info at all would be a great help
Click to expand...
I
mikeah28 said:
My partner and I got a flock of guineas for the first time this year. We've had chickens in the past, unfortunately our neighbors german shepherd kept picking them off one by one so we shipped the survivors to a no kill farm. We also have dogs and cats and after a year without the chickens we had a bad tick problem...so a friend recommended guinea hens because they are meaner, faster, and could fly to get away.We bought 11 but one vanished and another was hit by a car so down to 9. It was a challenge but we finally got them to go into their coop at night on their own, or so we thought. For the 1st time tonight 2 of them would not go in the coop with the rest, can usual coax them in if need be but they would not go. They run when I try to catch them and were getting so amped up that I just let them be so now their just sitting outside on the ground in the rain. There was a bad thunder storm when they usually go in. Any info at all would be a great help
Click to expand...
Pork Pie Ken said:
Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. There may well be some guinea info in the Learning Centre -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ and feel free to ask any questions on the guinea forum - Guinea Fowl
Click to expand...
I had 3 guineas and 9 chickens that would free range during the day. At night the guineas roosted on perches in the back run and the chickens in the front (60 ft U shape.)The guineas would forage during the day and roost in the trees. Skully would disappear during the day and I found her sitting on a pile of 36 eggs under an old wheelbarrow. She hatched 3 Chicks from the hens and was a great mother flying them up to the perch on her back at night. I had to give them away some years later because of Girlies constant noise at night. She was with another flock of guineas with a lot of open fields and raise several clutches of young.
 
Guineas seem to have a mind of their own- from the stories I read about them on BYC.
If the neighbor can't/won't keep his dog at home- he should at least reimburse you for the dead birds or put up a strong fence to keep him in.

I highly doubt this will ever happen. You may want to try chickens again and surround with the electrified fencing. The dog will just need a good jolt, and he should stop visiting your birds.
 

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