My guineas finally left the coop

[ella&clara]

Hi
I posted a few days ago about how my guineas wouldn't leave the coop. They have finally left the coop, but last night (after they had only been out at the most, two hours) they couldn't figure out how to go home and bedded down in the open. Fortunately they were quite comatose when I went to get them by flashlight, and were easy to put to bed. Now they are out in the garden, which is fenced, and contains their house, but who knows if they'll be able to figure out how to get home?? The garden is about 50x50, and the chickens have no problem figuring out where to go. The chickens are in a separate house from the guineas. I'd read that they are wild, and I had to worry more about them roosting in trees and such. Their food is in their house, but I did take the water out to where they were enjoying their first dust bath in case they forgot where the water was and decided to die of thirst instead (it's 100 degrees F here today). Does anyone have any insight? I thought guineas had MORE sense than chickens, but it appears that they lack even chicken brains. I only have two remaining out of my original six...lost 3 to a snake and one to an uncovered nail inside the coop.Thank you!

 

[PeepsCA]

They will need to be taught/conditioned to coop up each night. A consistent routine of being herded in/called in and given a treat in the coop at about the same time every night for at least a couple weeks usually establishes their nightly routine for them. Once they have the routine down, they will usually stick to it as long as you've been consistent about getting them in (Guineas like routine, but will establish their own if you don't establish one for them). Try to keep it mellow, with no drama/trauma made about cooping up while you are conditioning them. Anything scary that happens while you are trying to get them in they will remember and associate with the outside of the coop, and most likely steer clear of it. So do your best to remind them the coop is a safe place that they want to go to each night. Some people have a light on in their coops so the Guineas can see to go in and aren't intimidated by going into a dark area. Also, remember that everything looks different from the outside to them, and Guineas do not like change... so it helps be as patient as possible (even tho these birds can frustrate us all to no end).

 

[ella&clara]

They will need to be taught/conditioned to coop up each night. A consistent routine of being herded in/called in and given a treat in the coop at about the same time every night for at least a couple weeks usually establishes their nightly routine for them. Once they have the routine down, they will usually stick to it as long as you've been consistent about getting them in (Guineas like routine, but will establish their own if you don't establish one for them). Try to keep it mellow, with no drama/trauma made about cooping up while you are conditioning them. Anything scary that happens while you are trying to get them in they will remember and associate with the outside of the coop, and most likely steer clear of it. So do your best to remind them the coop is a safe place that they want to go to each night. Some people have a light on in their coops so the Guineas can see to go in and aren't intimidated by going into a dark area. Also, remember that everything looks different from the outside to them, and Guineas do not like change... so it helps be as patient as possible (even tho these birds can frustrate us all to no end).

 

[ella&clara]

Sorry, I didn't make a comment. The past two nights they have huddled up against the fence nearest the chickens. I am giving some thought to having them move in with the chickens. I clip the chicken's wings and the guineas could fly out. They seem to be able to figure out where the chickens are, but can't seem to figure out where their coop is. As for avoiding trauma, I am all for that, but they run from me, and there's no getting close enough to them to entice them with food. I have to corner them and cover them with a towel. I was under the impression that they would be able to remember where the house was. They are so different from chickens--chickens just seem to go along with the plan.

 

[tomingreeneco]

How long were they in the coop before you let them out? I left mine in for 7 weeks before I let them go outside and they came right in at night. I raised new ones last year and kept them in the coop for 7 weeks in a separate cage before I let them out. They also returned at night. Now I have 4 keets that were hatched and raised by there "mom" this year. They are now almost the same size as mom and follow her in every night. You may need to keep them in the coop longer before letting them out. Give them lots of treats while in the coop (mine like thawed frozen corn, cut up grapes and shredded lettuce). If you make the coop a special, safe place to go they will return at night. Good luck!

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote: Some people use lengths of PVC pipe or bamboo poles as extensions of their arms and calmly, slowly guide/herd/steer their birds into the coop, trying to keep the birds between the 2 poles as they move them forward in the direction they need to go. Slow and steady is the key, or they'll usually spook and take flight.

Since you only have 2 Guineas, letting them in with your chickens might help with coop up routine, but later on you may have agression issues (usually male Guinea vs chicken) when they Guineas mature and their hormones kick in.

 

[ella&clara]

Some people use lengths of PVC pipe or bamboo poles as extensions of their arms and calmly, slowly guide/herd/steer their birds into the coop, trying to keep the birds between the 2 poles as they move them forward in the direction they need to go. Slow and steady is the key, or they'll usually spook and take flight.

Since you only have 2 Guineas, letting them in with your chickens might help with coop up routine, but later on you may have agression issues (usually male Guinea vs chicken) when they Guineas mature and their hormones kick in.

Thanks! I tried herding them with two poles and it worked pretty well until we came to some bushes I am pretty sure I have all girl guineas and I know I have all girl chickens. I was hearing a mixture of "buckwheat" and something else, until guinea #4 died, and now I hear only buckwheat. The didn't come out yesterday or today.

 

[ella&clara]

How long were they in the coop before you let them out? I left mine in for 7 weeks before I let them go outside and they came right in at night. I raised new ones last year and kept them in the coop for 7 weeks in a separate cage before I let them out. They also returned at night. Now I have 4 keets that were hatched and raised by there "mom" this year. They are now almost the same size as mom and follow her in every night. You may need to keep them in the coop longer before letting them out. Give them lots of treats while in the coop (mine like thawed frozen corn, cut up grapes and shredded lettuce). If you make the coop a special, safe place to go they will return at night. Good luck!

They were in the coop close to 6 weeks. I had always heard about then not returning to the coop at night because they were just wild, and not because they obviously wanted to go to bed but couldn't figure out how to get there. I found it bizarre that they returned to the same spot, on the ground, nearest the chicken pen, but couldn't seem to find their house. It's like they are looking for a mother or something!

 

[zazouse]

Were they in a pen off the ground before you turned them loose or were they in the pen on the ground?

 

[CibolaChooks]

Were they in a pen off the ground before you turned them loose or were they in the pen on the ground?

while we all wait for them to answer whats the difference ill be moving my 6 week olds to my new location and will build them a new coup. could you please tell me which is best. I assume that building one high up off the ground would be best.

Sry i edited because i had a brain fart and forgot your response to ella&clara was to the guineas being confused when they came back to a location an original pin was in, or around.

But if you or anybody knows what they prefer or accept the best as far as design or location for a new coup. I want the move to turn out the best. and a amazing home to move to always helps.