Raise guineas with hens or alone?

[DoeAndGander]

I really need to get some guinea keets this year to control my tick problem. I will not free range my hens on a regular basis but I would love to free range my guineas. I’ve been going back-and-forth whether I should raise them with my hens or in a whole different predator proof coop? Any insight on this? Is it going to be a total pain separating them each morning to allow free range? Thanks!

 

[DoeAndGander]

I forgot to add, I know raising them with chickens will be a benefit to them being more social (main reason why I’m considering it) but unsure if this is the route to go with free range vs non

 

[R2elk]

I forgot to add, I know raising them with chickens will be a benefit to them being more social (main reason why I’m considering it) but unsure if this is the route to go with free range vs non

I do not recommend raising the keets with chickens. It causes the keets to imprint on the chickens and once they are mature they will not recognize that the chickens are not guineas. Everything can seem to be going great right up until the first breeding season at which time the guinea's inherited instincts and behaviors take over and can cause extreme stress to the chickens.

I raise and house my guineas separately from the chickens. My guineas do recognize that the chickens are different from them and leave the chickens alone. I can free range both in the same area at the same time with no issues. At the end of the day each goes back to their own coop.

 

[Dmontgomery]

If you are not going to free range the chickens, I would have separate coops. I’ve never been too successful at keeping only half a flock inside when they see the other half getting to go outside.

 

[DoeAndGander]

I do not recommend raising the keets with chickens. It causes the keets to imprint on the chickens and once they are mature they will not recognize that the chickens are not guineas. Everything can seem to be going great right up until the first breeding season at which time the guinea's inherited instincts and behaviors take over and can cause extreme stress to the chickens.

I raise and house my guineas separately from the chickens. My guineas do recognize that the chickens are different from them and leave the chickens alone. I can free range both in the same area at the same time with no issues. At the end of the day each goes back to their own coop.

That’s what I wanted to hear! Thanks for schooling me. Any tips on getting the guineas to go in at night?

 

[DoeAndGander]

If you are not going to free range the chickens, I would have separate coops. I’ve never been too successful at keeping only half a flock inside when they see the other half getting to go outside.

I never thought of that. Thanks for your help!!

 

[Ms Biddy]

I agree that it will be easier to manage them differently if they're housed separately. Guineas and chickens don't always get along in close quarters, especially if they weren't raised together. Mine were and they get along fine, but they do have their squabbles.

Ours weren't allowed to free range until they'd spent six full weeks in the coop. We've never had a problem bringing them in at night. If they go somewhere they're not supposed to or try to roost in a tree, make them leave. I've found them very "trainable" if you're persistent.

 

[DoeAndGander]

I agree that it will be easier to manage them differently if they're housed separately. Guineas and chickens don't always get along in close quarters, especially if they weren't raised together. Mine were and they get along fine, but they do have their squabbles.

Ours weren't allowed to free range until they'd spent six full weeks in the coop. We've never had a problem bringing them in at night. If they go somewhere they're not supposed to or try to roost in a tree, make them leave. I've found them very "trainable" if you're persistent.

Great to know! Around what age did you move them into the coop? I plan to get keets. Currently trying to decide how many to get being I will more than likely lose some due to predators. So much to learn about these funny birds!

 

[Ms Biddy]

I brooded them in a stock tank for 4 or 5 weeks then moved them to a tractor that I use as a grow out pen. They stayed there for a few more weeks and then moved to the coop. They were with chicks the entire time. We only have two guineas. They're much too loud for us to have a whole flock. If we had ticks, I might feel differently.

 

[R2elk]

That’s what I wanted to hear! Thanks for schooling me. Any tips on getting the guineas to go in at night?

You have to begin the training right at the start. Some people train their guineas to come for treats using a specific call or sound (bell). I use a long stick to extend my reach and slowly herd my guineas into the coop at night. My guineas are so used to this that now all I normally have to do is to stand in one place and tap the ground as they head into the coop. When first teaching guineas to herd, go very slowly and do not get too close. Going too fast or getting too close will cause them to fly and you will need to start over. In the beginning it can be beneficial to use a long stick in each hand forming a wide "Vee" with the guineas in the center of it.

Never let the guineas spend the night out as they are extremely vulnerable to predators and if you ever lose the coop battle it will take a great amount of effort to teach them again.

Do not start too late in the evening because the guineas do not like going into a dark place. Some people turn a light on in their coop to help get the guineas in.

I only feed and water my guineas in their coop.

It can also be helpful to train the guineas to go into the coop at different times of the day whether using the treat or herding methods.

Always be sure that it is you who is teaching the guineas and not them teaching you.

Good luck.