new to the guineas

[BirchHatchery]

i am new to guineas id like to get a small flock of 10-20 i have been dicieding on either keets or adult birds i dont no yet i figured if i got adult birds they could be penned up the rest of the winter and then would learn that this is their new home correct? i also thought of putting all but the guineas in one pen and putting 2 in the chicken house as the chickens dont run the yard free they are always in the barn then maybe the rest of guineas would not roam as far? my chicken house has a door with fence over it so they can see in and out. I also have dogs gardens corn feilds around and woods so i think the tick controle would be great and jap beatles to. My other thing i didnlt no if i brought home older ones if they would protect the area from cats like they say? i have no cats nor do i want any they are the only issue with predators that i have my coon hounds keep the other varmints away they do a good job with the cats but not the best and ideas?

 

[robin416]

My preference is to start with keets. It gives you and the birds time to learn about each other. When it comes to rounding up Guineas they are completely different from chickens but I've found them usually easier to get in and to come when I call. I also have mine trained to millet, they know every evening when I call there is going to be millet coming their way.

I wouldn't separate the two from the flock, it really wouldn't serve any purpose for keeping them closer to home. As far as they are concerned the two are not part of their flock so they don't care.

My flock generally can be found around the house, the garage, and the coops. Occasionally they will wander to the very back or very front of the property but its not part of their usual patrolling area. Guineas hang where the action is, that might even be watching you through a window while you go about your business.

You have not seen anything until you see a standoff between a flock of Guineas and a deer. We've watched ours chase deer over the fence. We've seen them go after a fox, stray chickens and cats. If something does not belong the Guineas will make it leave.

 

[BirchHatchery]

tha is my question if i get older guineas will they make things leave once their use to this area and no this is home or is it bvetter to get keets i herd from j,m hatchery i can get 30 keets orderd in any week of the year so i could get some now any ideas?

 

[robin416]

I would still go with the keets. They are imprinted that your place is home and have a definite idea on what should be there and what shouldn't. My six/seven month old keets are more on patrol then my adult birds are. But the adults have learned that not everything is an interloper, like crows. My six months olds will spend hours chasing crows off. My adults know its a futile venture so they save it for bigger interlopers.

With adults its harder to integrate them in to what you want. Sort of like getting an already grown dog that knew a completely different way of living.

 

[BirchHatchery]

well do you no of any hatcherys i could get keets now ?

 

[robin416]

Unless you can find a private flock owner with a bunch of keets for sale you won't find any keets or eggs this time of year. Guineas are seasonal layers and have quit until early Spring.

You could try posting that you are looking for keets in the "looking for" forum.

 

[BirchHatchery]

id like to get keets now

 

[Debbienmousey]

Like Robin416 said, it's gonna be pretty much impossible to find anyone with really young keets this time of year. But it depends on what age you want. I have some that were hatched in October, which is rather late in the year, but they would probably adapt fine to a new home if I were to sell them. (They haven't been free ranging yet though) Gotta be careful with keets though, they can be really fragile while they're young and very susceptible to cold and dampness. Once they become adults though they're really tough and hardy

.

My guineas also love the fields the best, not too much into foraging in the woods. They are great for alerting you of things, especially predators. Not sure if they'll chase cats though, mine never have.

And they are really easy to train!(Consistency is the key) They hang together much better then the chickens. But they can be stubborn and rebellious sometimes, so if you're going to be cooping them at night make sure you put them away BEFORE it gets dark, otherwise they may choose a tree to sleep in instead.

 

[BirchHatchery]

sounds good

 

[robin416]

They will chase off cats. The first time I saw it was also the time I realized that the Guineas and my three dogs would work together.

I was at the Guinea coop doing something, they were hanging around talking. My dogs were all camped out on the back porch.

I was doing whatever it was when suddenly the Guineas got quiet, they formed a wall and began to move with some quiet talk amongst themselves. I knew something was up so I watched and then I saw it, a cat moving in to one of our wind rows. The wild part is that the dogs could not see it but were sensitive to the change in the Guineas and came charging up to see what was up. So, yes, they will go after anything that does not belong. If they'll flock up to chase off a fox they will certainly go after a cat if it does not belong.

And the reverse, the right bark from my dogs will get the Guineas running towards them to see what the trouble is. And if they hear my gun go off, no matter where they are, will come running to see what's up.

As I've said so many times before, Guineas are not chickens so don't expect them to behave the same.