please help

[Pennae]

Ok i have 4 guinea fowl (getting more) an there all about 1 1/2 months old and i was wondering when i could let them free range and if its safe to let them roost in trees because i live in NSW AUS and theres lots of carpet snakes

 

[Smorz]

I coop all my birds at night. Too many predators. They free range in the day, roost in the coop at night. My first guinea loss was to a snake. I couldn't believe the snake fit a bird that size in his mouth.

 

[WldFlwrs]

I coop all my birds at night. Too many predators. They free range in the day, roost in the coop at night. My first guinea loss was to a snake. I couldn't believe the snake fit a bird that size in his mouth.

I have to ask. Just how big was the snake and the bird? I'm from East Texas so looking for some perspective

 

[nailladi]

Guineas, like chickens are blind at night, they will rarely move even if something is after them as a rule. They may get chased off their tree limb by an owl or coon, snake only to be easy prey on the ground at night. They will stumble as they can not see. Why take chances?

 

[Pennae]

ok thank you nailladi i really appreciate it

 

[Pennae]

ok thank you nailladi i really appreciate it

and i thank everyone else

 

[Smorz]

I have to ask.  Just how big was the snake and the bird?  I'm from East Texas so looking for some perspective

The snake was a blacksnake, probably 6 feet long, the guinea was maybe 2 months old. We apparently had one vulnerable spot in our run and the snake found it.

 

[Smorz]

Wldflwrs - correction, it was a month old.

 

[WldFlwrs]

Wldflwrs - correction, it was a month old.

Thanks! Was really curious