Probably the dumbest question ever, but...

[JLeigh]

Is it possible to train guineas to free-range in certain areas, or to stay away from one area? We live on 8 acres, and the guineas have now discovered the worst possible part of the property - - the road. I have patience to train them, I'm just not sure if this kind of training can be done.

 

[daylily]

That is the one hundred dollar question . I don't know, we have only go on to the road twice that I know of and both times I had to go get them and shoo them back to the back of the property. Where they were content to stay for a day or two. Then two days later again. My husband stopped the car and they ran back onto our property behind some pine saplings just to wait him out. They were so quiet, thinking we would just go away because we couldn't have seen them right? WRONG! I started breaking branches off an old small pine and boy did they start running. They lost sight of me and thought oh good she's gone but I waited and laid into them yelling and waving branches. They flew home then! Hahahaha! But I continued until they were at the far edge of the property. That was a month ago. Neighbors on our road say they haven't seen them any more since then. I don't mind them going to the neighbors but not on the road, there are paths they usually take through some lightly wooded areas.I only have three acres and live on a private road. But other neighbors who don't know about the guineas drive way too fast and there are some blind corners.

Don't know if this helped, my guineas just hate to be yelled at and chased with a stick. Good luck with your brood and stay after them. Hopefully they will get the hint. and welcome to the site.

 

[JLeigh]

Thanks, daylily, I may give that a try, but for now I want to see if I can encourage them with mealworms. However, if it comes to it, I might just use your technique.

 

[PeepsCA]

I use the same method as daylily basically, only I shake and empty grain sack at them (while also yelling at them) and I make sure they realize that where they are/thought they wanted to be is not so fun any more (Just make sure you are behind them and they are facing the direction you want then to fly back to before you start chasing/spooking them, or they may just scatter on you). It takes persistence and immediate correction EVERY TIME they go where they shouldn't, but yes they can be trained. Some have had luck with hanging bird tape, CDs or other shiny flashy scary things in their route to the road or areas you don't want them going. Running after them like a lunatic shaking an empty grain sack and yelling at my birds has worked well and made a lasting impression with my flocks tho

 

[JLeigh]

It may have made a lasting impression with the neighbors, too.

I'll give it a try.

What is bird tape?

 

[PeepsCA]

I don't have close neighbors, and there's trees in the way, lucky for them, lol. Bird tape is usually shiny mylar tape (not sticky), usually red on one side, silver on the other, (sometimes hologrammed), and it's used to keep wild birds off fruit trees (tied on in long strands that blow and sparkle in the wind, like streamers). You can usually find it in the gardening section of stores that have nursery departments and sell flowers, veggies, fruit trees etc. Also some wrapping papers (plastic) are made from mylar, you can cut that into strips and make your own shiny spooky things.

 

[JLeigh]

I'm getting the idea that when you free-range an animal with all its wild instincts intact, you have to accept some risk; I can't keep them safe from everything. I don't have many daylight predators - we have some small hawks, the possibility of neighborhood dogs, and cars. Cars are my biggest fear. We don't have many nocturnal predators either, but they go in the coop/run at night to help, so I worry less about that.

Bird tape...who'da thunk it. What a great idea. I can use it to keep critters out of my garden, too.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My guineas have one area of my yard where I don't want them to go. It is the back corner where there is a development behind me (5 years old) & they have gone into the neighbors yard a few times. My biggest problem is the chicken coop is in that corner of the yard & they like to visit the chickens! I have had luck with chasing them back with sticks & yelling "back". What has really helped is a driveway alarm hung on the side of the coop, so I know they are over there! It is a cheap one, $14 on Amazon, the Driveway Patrol. It is not foolproof, as once in awhile they run by too fast & it misses them. It sure has helped though. Maybe you could stick one on a post near where they go to the road. They have learned in the last month to start back the other way as soon as they see me coming toward them. I do continue to watch them closely though. Unfortunately they have not been out since Thursday, as they were in the field beside me about 6 pm when I saw three of the five fly into the yard. Went to look for the other two females & found one in the front yard & a pile of feathers behind the barn. Seems the fox got my little loner, I told her to stay with the group! Now I am down to 4 & scared to let them out again. Mrs. Fox was at their pen at 4 pm last night, trying to get to them. Anyway, maybe give the Driveway Patrol a try or keep herding them back & they will learn.

 

[JLeigh]

Cindy, that's a great idea, too, and might work since I have a couple of places to hang them. Today, they visited the neighbor's property and I worried they wouldn't find their way back. They did - came home a few minutes ago and they were in the run resting in the sun. Maybe the best way to handle this is tranquilizers or a good stiff belt of wine - - for me of course.

 

[daylily]

Ah Cindy From PA, I am so sorry about you loosing on of your guineas to a fox! That is sad. Yeah I'd let them chill for a while til MR. Foxy decides that if he wants another meal he better head else where. Good luck.

Daylily