Need Help With Guineas

[mruth551]

HELP!!

I released my 6 guineas yesterday after only 2 weeks penned up because the person I bought them from said that would be enough time. They did fine all day except when it was time to pen them up I couldn't get them to go back in the coop. I put a light on inside but that didn't help. I did manage to catch 3 of them and pen them up. The other 3 survived the night and are outside today while the other 3 are still inside. They had gone outside by going out the small chicken coop door even though previously, where I bought them from, they were used to going into a regular doorway that was screened. At this point I don't know what to do to get them trained. Should I get the other 3 inside and leave all 6 in for a while? Should I leave the other 3 out and hope they all go in at night? Should I turn the coop around and have them use the large doorway? Maybe sell them and the coop, less stressful.

 

[red horse ranch]

HELP!!

I released my 6 guineas yesterday after only 2 weeks penned up because the person I bought them from said that would be enough time. They did fine all day except when it was time to pen them up I couldn't get them to go back in the coop. I put a light on inside but that didn't help. I did manage to catch 3 of them and pen them up. The other 3 survived the night and are outside today while the other 3 are still inside. They had gone outside by going out the small chicken coop door even though previously, where I bought them from, they were used to going into a regular doorway that was screened. At this point I don't know what to do to get them trained. Should I get the other 3 inside and leave all 6 in for a while? Should I leave the other 3 out and hope they all go in at night? Should I turn the coop around and have them use the large doorway? Maybe sell them and the coop, less stressful.

Don't give up on them yet. They are wonderful characters to have around once you get them trained. Guineas always need confined up to 6 weeks after being moved to a new location. Extremely important with adults. Guineas will learn to use the small door once they have been confined long enough. And they are only allowed out that door. I would try to catch the other 3 and keep them all confined for at least another month. Then only allow 2 or 3 out at a time. Get them trained to come in at night by always giving them scratch or millet at bedtime. It takes time. But you will enjoy having them once they learn what they are SUPPOSED to do!

 

[Guineagang]

I agree with red horse ranch. Use treats and confine them for longer!

 

[mruth551]

Well I was able to get all 6 guinea back in the coop. I will leave them in for a few more weeks. The one thing I noticed is that they preferred to go into the coop using my door rather than the small door for chickens. Not sure if that's because that is what they used before. Maybe I'll put a screen door on the big door ,or make the smaller door larger, or get some chain link fence and make a small run outside the small door so they get use to going in and out of it.