Pinioning keets

[rssnbabybear]

Hi everyone,
I am not new to chickens, but I am new to guineas. I'm getting them because we have enough grasshoppers to rival ancient Egypt.
I have read that keeping guineas in the yard can be very trying because they like to fly and roost up high. We have lots of predators in the country here, but the yard is safe and that is where I need them to be for pest control.
Because of the flight issue, I thought I would see if a vet here would pinion them for me, but some of my research has indicated that some birds don't even walk correctly if they are pinioned. Is this true for guineas? Can I have them pinioned and they will be okay? They will just be officially grounded.

If pinioning is not the right thing to do, then does anyone have better suggestions for free ranging my property without loosing them all to predators?

 

[perchie.girl]

You can get them already pinioned from http://www.guineafarm.com/ And I have considered it for myself... Because I want to keep my Breeding flock close to home. They do it right after they come out of the incubator.

Pinioning is amputation just like declawing cats is amputation.... done at a very young age they grow up adapting to the loss. But its like removing the fingers on their hand...

There are some other issues with pinioned birds.... The first and foremost it renders them defenseless... So you have to commit yourself to their protection. ... In my case I would provide a run that is 25 x 50 Netted to discourage flying predators. I too live in predator central. By having one wing functioning they can fly some but spiral down and crash...
They still have those natural needs to fly... and will try.

I am choosing not to because of those reasons. With my breeding flock they will be kept in their netted run... With areas of enrichment... Tall roosts... hidden food.

With regard to the flying and roosting in trees.... They can be conditioned to come in for the night... But it takes dilligence consistence. I get about in a walker so I cannot chase anyone down.... But a dinner signal can be done... bell, whistle,,, loud voice... Tapping on meta... what ever works and carries.

Do this while they are keets just before you feed them their evening ration. Feed your chickens this way too... Safest place is in the coop for the night.

Oh and there are other options for pinioning....
Wing clipping... There is also a mechanical device that slips on the wing... but I will be danged if I can remember the name of it.

Good luck with a hard decision...

deb

 

[rssnbabybear]

You can get them already pinioned from http://www.guineafarm.com/ And I have considered it for myself... Because I want to keep my Breeding flock close to home. They do it right after they come out of the incubator.

Pinioning is amputation just like declawing cats is amputation.... done at a very young age they grow up adapting to the loss. But its like removing the fingers on their hand...

Good luck with a hard decision...

deb

Wow! Thanks for all that great information. I have clipped wings on my flying chickens before, but only when I get one that decides to continue flying the coop despite adequate feed and entertainment. It can be a fiasco trying to run them down in the daytime and I admit that I am not always as diligent as I need to be, so I have lost a few in the past. That is why pinioning appealed to me.
But you have given me great food for thought on the pro's and cons. I'm glad they will not be unabalanced, but I will have to consider the risks of predators if they manage to find a way out. Also, training them sounds like a priority I hadn't considered. That one will be huge for me whether or not I pinion them because I intend to free range them on the property frequently for pest control, but don't want them roosting anywhere but their home coop.
Thank you again for your great advice. It is much appreciated.

 

[perchie.girl]

glad I could help... I have eighteen acres in the high desert... I rarely lost one to predators when I was there to call em in at night. I miss those squeeky hinge voices and Racuous calls.

when i start up again I hope to keep a captive flock of jumbos and let the others free range... I found keeping at lest ten or more improved their longivity and kept them from Messin with my chickens.

Keep in mind Guineas are not chickens... They have some of the same feeds and housing needs but dont expect them to tame down... They havent been domesticated as long as Chickens. They try to pair off for mating season so there is no worry you have too many males.

deb