new to guineas

[chiefdion]

i recieved some eggs last november/december. hatched them (some did some didn't) . anyway, i have 4 2-3 month old guineas. my question is they have been in a coop since birth. if i let them out will they just fly away. or should i wait for next clutch ?

 

[brad3126]

Hi make sure you leave food in the coop and let them come out on their own they should go back in at night. you may have to herd them in a few times. I know they don't like snow and will fly up into the trees and if your near a road they may go in the road and they are not afraid of cars. I lost 20 last year due to cars. do you have any other birds. mine roost with the chickens.

 

[Hawk and Eagle]

I'm seeking above myself. So, the roosters don't fought with them?

 

[brad3126]

Roosters haven't bothered mine but also keep in mind the bigger the flock the more they will stick around they are a flock bird.

 

[BusyBlonde]

By that age, they should hang around. Mine roost in trees and patrol about 6 acres - but they know where home is. My Guineas rule the yard, the roosters are afraid of them.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

in my experience, keeping them in longer gives them a better chance to bond with their home and return home

having said that, Guineas do require some training and a lot of patience and some effort in the beginning

we do not let them roost in trees because the owls and raccoons would get them - Guineas are pretty much blind in the dark

here is a great article on how to train them to come home at night:
http://guineas.com/articles/training.php

also, don't be discouraged if yours seem to fly to the trees and refuse to come home - they go through almost a teenager rebellious stage but then relent quickly

a good thing to have is a large fishing net with small netting (got mine at Walmart in the sports/hunting isle) and be super patient and wait until dark and then catch any Guineas that refused to come home - chasing them before dark will likely result in them flying up higher into a tree and out of reach - I did insist that everyone comes home and gets securely locked in the coop at night and now they do it on their own when I ring a cow bell and offer treats (white proso millet works best for Guineas)

oh, yes, and most people are surprised when the Guineas don't come out at all at first, even for days, when you leave the door open - do not be tempted to chase them out - they will come out on their own and you don't want then to get scared in the coop and be afraid to "go back there" - you want them to feel safe at home and come out when they are ready on their own

also be aware that the outside of the door may seem strange to them when they turn around and see it from the outside going in, so they may need some (gentle) encouragement to have them go back in - the more they go in and out in the beginning the better - so they learn that it is safe to go back in - they will explore further and further out soon

good luck!

 

[R2elk]

in my experience, keeping them in longer gives them a better chance to bond with their home and return home

having said that, Guineas do require some training and a lot of patience and some effort in the beginning

we do not let them roost in trees because the owls and raccoons would get them - Guineas are pretty much blind in the dark

here is a great article on how to train them to come home at night:
http://guineas.com/articles/training.php

also, don't be discouraged if yours seem to fly to the trees and refuse to come home - they go through almost a teenager rebellious stage but then relent quickly

a good thing to have is a large fishing net with small netting (got mine at Walmart in the sports/hunting isle) and be super patient and wait until dark and then catch any Guineas that refused to come home - chasing them before dark will likely result in them flying up higher into a tree and out of reach - I did insist that everyone comes home and gets securely locked in the coop at night and now they do it on their own when I ring a cow bell and offer treats (white proso millet works best for Guineas)

oh, yes, and most people are surprised when the Guineas don't come out at all at first, even for days, when you leave the door open - do not be tempted to chase them out - they will come out on their own and you don't want then to get scared in the coop and be afraid to "go back there" - you want them to feel safe at home and come out when they are ready on their own

also be aware that the outside of the door may seem strange to them when they turn around and see it from the outside going in, so they may need some (gentle) encouragement to have them go back in - the more they go in and out in the beginning the better - so they learn that it is safe to go back in - they will explore further and further out soon

good luck!

Hi Bennie,

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Thank you, Chicken Obsessed!

I have to admit, I am more Guinea obsessed, ha ha, but I can see where chickens can be that way, too

we got the Guineas for tick control and I never thought they would grow on me so much

I am almost afraid to get chickens, because I think, from what I heard, chickens can be sooo tame, and it may spoil me towards the Guineas, ha ha

I love them, but they don't like me much, but I like them anyway!

if I had some really tame chickens, I may get spoiled

 

[R2elk]

Thank you, Chicken Obsessed!

I have to admit, I am more Guinea obsessed, ha ha, but I can see where chickens can be that way, too

we got the Guineas for tick control and I never thought they would grow on me so much

I am almost afraid to get chickens, because I think, from what I heard, chickens can be sooo tame, and it may spoil me towards the Guineas, ha ha

I love them, but they don't like me much, but I like them anyway!

if I had some really tame chickens, I may get spoiled

PM sent about chickens and guineas.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Thank you so much!

Now I see it - duh - your online name is R2elk!

The Chicken Obsessed label comes with the number of posts - I am a New Egg, ha ha.

Wow - you have a lot of posts and must know a lot about Guineas and chickens!

Thanks for answering my post, R2elk!

Uh - I hear an owl outside as I am writing this - our Guineas are safe in their coop now.

-Bennie