Newby needing help

[crc310]

I'm adopting a 4 YO guinea hen. She has never been around other guineas as she was raised as a chick with chickens. She will be our first guinea. We have a roo and 7 hens currently. Do I introduce them the same way you would chickens? Will there be a pecking order if she is a diff species? How long do I keep her confined to the coop/ pen before she can roam freely? TYIA

 

[nailladi]

Guineas are flock birds and prefer to be around other guineas, but she may be an exception as she has never been. I would put her in a cage within the chicken pen for a week or two then just open the cage inside the pen.
IMO you should plan to get at least 6 more guineas even keets and raise them up to be with her. She will be a whole different bird around her own kind.

 

[crc310]

I do plan on eventually having 6. We have 2 acres so we have some space (along with the neighbors 2 acres with 10 chickens and crook and around us. Thank you!

 

[crc310]

She has integrated into our flock nicely! Now we have a broody hen sitting on eggs. I'm considering adding 2 keets to when they start hatching. I found a local breeder who said they will be ready Sunday. Our chicks are due to hatch in a week or so. Hoping to convince the hubby we need more Guineas . She will finally have friends that "understand" her! Lol