Not a good day

[Mary Of Exeter]

So last night, I accidentally didn't close the door to the coop my 8 guineas and 5 chickens were sleeping in. Normally it's locked up every night, but for some reason it didn't cross my mind yesterday.
Today when I get home, everything seems awfully quiet. I go down to the coop and find my rooster and two of the 4 hens. No guineas. That's when I start to really get worried, as we had clipped their wings a while back and they can't fly THAT good to where they'd opt for sleeping in the trees.
I see a small pile of guinea feathers, and a headless guinea behind the coop. Otherwise, no one else has any trace of ever being carried off or anything. 10 birds gone in one night!? I had just counted them all yesterday! I figure a raccoon visited us, or maybe an opossum. But even a raccoon wouldn't/couldn't hide 9 birds like that. It would have no reason to!
So my question here is, where do you guys think my 9 other missing birds are? Maybe I had a raid take place with several predators involved? Maybe my guineas are hiding in the trees and I didn't notice (anxiously awaiting tomorrow morning to see if that wish comes true

)?
Or maybe someone stole my birds (except the obviously eaten one I found of course)?? I don't know, but I don't like it! Sounds very fishy...

Needless to say, the coop is locked up tight, all the traps in the woods are set, and one of my dogs is sleeping in the chicken lot. And it will be like that from now on (regardless of the fact my mom hates having Harley sleeping in the chicken lot, and wants him closer to the house...).

 

[jenjscott]

When I first left my guineas out for free ranging, they all disappeared for about 24 hours. The next day they were all back, minus one. I think whatever got the one must have spooked them, but they found their way back home.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Hmmm...well these have been free ranging for a while now. But I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they did get spooked and took off. I guess we'll see if anyone comes around tomorow!

 

[shelleyd2008]

They are probably roosting somewhere else, guineas are very particular about being 'messed with' when they're sleeping. That's why I've always heard that if you try to catch a guinea when it's roosting, be darned sure you catch it! They will leave their roost, and most likely won't roost in the same spot ever again.

I would say they are probably in the trees, or somewhere else up high. Depending on how long ago you clipped their wings, the feathers may have grown back.

 

[annaserv]

So sorry to hear about this. It's always on my mind the few times I get home later, when it's dark, if any thing found it's way into the coup. Just last night as I was racing home to shut the coup up a big raccoon crossed in front of my truck not too far from our driveway. (Some how it missed the wheels of my truck, darn it)

Hopefully most your guineas scattered temporarily, and will reappear. Maybe their a bit leery of coming back to the coup area after their traumatic events that night.

Not sure what your culprit is, but raccoons can come in groups too. Could have had a mother raccoon teaching her younger ones where to find food.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Good point, I could have a little family of boogers visiting. My two chickens I was missing are back now. So I know they were hiding somewhere pretty good. Haven't seen or heard any guineas yet

With just a few loose feathers around, it's just so hard to imagine they all got carried off by predators. It was a while back that we clipped their wings. The feathers should have been at least half way back in. It was funny to see them 'flip out' and flap around suddenly, testing out their newfound wings

Before we got them, they had been in a tractor all their life I guess, so maybe that's why their flying was delayed

They were all full grown though. Still keeping my hopes up

There is a man right up the street with a flock of guineas. There's a very good chance they might have ran up there. Might have to give him a call, since all of mine were banded and I don't believe any of his are, it should be easy to spot mine.

 

[LCwilson]

did they come back yet

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

Nope, haven't even heard a single 'chi'

I'm fixing to ask my dad if we can go talk to the guy up the street with guineas. Don't wanna go by myself, haha

-shy-

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

UPDATE:



So for the past few months, I've heard their cheeping and shrieking up on the hill almost every afternoon. I couldn't see them, but could still hear them. Sure, the people up the street could have gotten guineas, but I was convinced they were my runaways.

Turns out, I was right!


Today when I went outside, I saw my three young adult guineas running around with my cochins like usual. But all three are boys...and I heard the 'buckwheat' all over the place. Looked around the corner, and behold, 6 banded guineas - most of my runaways were back! So obviously all day I've been feeding them and making sure they were happy. Tonight they were gone again, but I expected that, since they obviously have a well-established roosting tree somewhere. Hopefully with some time and lots of food, I'll lure them back to sleeping in our yard. Or perhaps tomorrow, if they visit again, I'll be able to coax them into the covered pen with some food...close the door, catch, and clip wings...so I can start all over again!

Even if I'm only able to catch a few of the 6, I'll be happy. At least one hen, that's all I'm asking!

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

My guineas know when I want to catch them and they stay clear. IT seems like they can read my mind or something. They are the HARDEST things I have ever had to catch!