Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[kynewbchickie]

Ours are out and about with the flock now - they LOVE it! The head rooster even follows them around like, "what do we do, George? What do we do?" LOL!!!

 

[starlingdaly]

Ours are out and about with the flock now - they LOVE it!  The head rooster even follows them around like, "what do we do, George? What do we do?"  LOL!!!

How old were they when you put them outside with your flock?

 

[kynewbchickie]

Quote:
I moved them outdoors to the coop, in a separation/introduction area when they were right at 8 weeks old. I had originally planned to keep them in that area for up to 6 weeks more per recommendations here, but the coop was getting unbearably warm. Even with the ventilation being increased, it was just too hot. I let them stay in there for 2 weeks, and when I went to clean out their area with new bedding, they all took off outside the coop into the sunshine with the other chickens. One hen of mine decided she was going to attempt to bully one of the guineas, and they banded up on her and put her in her place rather quickly. LOL They all roam and forage together in the pasture, none of the chickens are picking at them, and they're rather happy and healthy little guys!

No attempts at getting out of the pasture = no wing clipping, either.

We're moving the big coop about 20-something feet on the longer side of our yard next weekend, and giving them a larger pasture with the egg layer flock. They'll be going from 32'x44' to one that's about 16'x60' or a bit longer...it has some trees bordering it as well, for more shade than where they are now. (We just found out our coop is set on top of the septic tank, which is not a good thing...the property plat said it was somewhere else than where it actually is...go figure)

I had to gauge what was going to be best for them, really...our temps were sticking around 65 at night, and hitting mid-90s during the day. They were so hot and so unhappy in that area, and after one flew out on my head one day, they realized that they needed to either A)stick together, or B)respect the fact that they were new kids on the block and tread gently. Luckily, they chose option A and that's what they do - everything is done together as a single unit.

I call them my SpOps Tactical Reconn Unit.

 

[itsjustme]

Kynewbie how are your guineas now? If they are not old rnougj to breed yet that's why they stick together still. From my experience my guineas all stayed together in a tight little group until this year when they reached breeding age. They all split up into pairs or trios and would stay in the pairs or trios all day not alllowimg any other guinea near them until it was bed time then they would all roost together. Maybe breeding season is almost over this year? Idk but the last few days they have all benn staying pretty close to each other. And hearts a little male that wasn't accepted into the and hung out with the turkeys mnaged to snaghim a gf but even he is now back with the turkeys. I warn you breeding season for me wasn't fun when it came to guineas bc I couldn't keep track of all of them and count after they were roosting. I lost a hen to a coyote and I'm missing a couple others right now. Don't no if they are sitting or just gone?

 

[lillydaisy]

My Guineas are crazy

they love to fly around like out of control birds

 

[lillydaisy]

I mean planes

 

[Starkasm]

Lol mine too!
We started out with 3. 2 males and 1 female. Last year the female set. Hatched 9 out of 10 eggs.
I read they aren't very good mothers, but she was. I also noticed the males teaching them to drink etc. The males are very involved with the raising of the babies!
It was so fun to watch. We love our loud crazy guineas!

 

[itsjustme]

Im so confused lol I was told guineas are horrible mothers too and well iv not read anything about daddy guineas helping with the keats. That's pretty cool. I'm still missing 3 guineas. I now no for sure I'm missing a hen and a roo or is it tom? Maybe its neither? Lol. Its been a Busy week already and my brain is tired lol so anyways I'm not sure who the 3rd missing guinea is yet. But something happened tonight. I heard a commotion outside ran to see and was almost run over by a guinea with my dog hot on her heels I yelled at her but think she goes deaf when she's chasing anything so I went after her. It was well after dark that guinea should not have been on the ground unless she was on a nest. I chased them both down caught the guinea and once I got to where I could see better noticed it was 1 of the 2 of my white hens. I no they are hens but can't tell them apart. I had a white hen setting that I knew of and 1 of my missing guineas is white. I figured she was the missing hen the dog found and spooked her then chased her off the nest. I knew the direction she come from but not the exact spot so I just took her to roost with the others. I figured since I was out there I might as well check on broodie hen. She was gone! I thought ok that was broody hen so I went back and got her stuck her on her nest. But she didn't want to sit there. So now I'm confused. Broodie that I knew of was outside the fence the dog could not have gotten to her. So do you think something else spooked her and she just flew into the yard? Or maybe it wasn't her at all bit where would she be? The nest was not touched no feathers no broken eggs does anyone no if broodie hens will get up to feed? She shouldn't have to I take her food and water daily.

 

[Starkasm]

Im so confused lol I was told guineas are horrible mothers too and well iv not read anything about daddy guineas helping with the keats. That's pretty cool. I'm still missing 3 guineas.

I now no for sure I'm missing a hen and a roo or is it tom? Maybe its neither? Lol. Its been a Busy week already and my brain is tired lol so anyways I'm not sure who the 3rd missing guinea is yet. But something happened tonight. I heard a commotion outside ran to see and was almost run over by a guinea with my dog hot on her heels

I yelled at her but think she goes deaf when she's chasing anything so I went after her. It was well after dark that guinea should not have been on the ground unless she was on a nest. I chased them both down caught the guinea and once I got to where I could see better noticed it was 1 of the 2 of my white hens. I no they are hens but can't tell them apart. I had a white hen setting that I knew of and 1 of my missing guineas is white. I figured she was the missing hen the dog found and spooked her then chased her off the nest. I knew the direction she come from but not the exact spot so I just took her to roost with the others. I figured since I was out there I might as well check on broodie hen. She was gone! I thought ok that was broody hen so I went back and got her stuck her on her nest. But she didn't want to sit there. So now I'm confused. Broodie that I knew of was outside the fence the dog could not have gotten to her. So do you think something else spooked her and she just flew into the yard? Or maybe it wasn't her at all bit where would she be? The nest was not touched no feathers no broken eggs does anyone no if broodie hens will get up to feed? She shouldn't have to I take her food and water daily.

I am no expert, but you are right they could be off setting. My sister told me the males will protect the nesting hen. You may find she has a male with her too. Give it a few weeks, you may get a surprise!
When our hen set last year it was by luck that we found her nest. The boys were hanging with her one night and they always come to be put in for the night. We put a safe pen around her for the duration and still locked up the boys at night.
We checked on her often and the boys would stay close by her all the time. One day I said to my hubby, is she even setting? Because it seemed everytime I walked over she was off them. Either eating or drinking or socializing with the 2 boys through the fence. He assured me that he had seen her on them. She hatched 9 out of 10 so I guess it didn't hurt them, having her get up and all.
As far as the males helping. My sister and I sat and watched those poor boys drink so much water that they must have been waterlogged inside and talking to the babies showing them how to drink. They do help!

 

[kynewbchickie]

Kynewbie how are your guineas now? If they are not old rnougj to breed yet that's why they stick together still. From my experience my guineas all stayed together in a tight little group until this year when they reached breeding age. They all split up into pairs or trios and would stay in the pairs or trios all day not alllowimg any other guinea near them until it was bed time then they would all roost together. Maybe breeding season is almost over this year? Idk but the last few days they have all benn staying pretty close to each other. And hearts a little male that wasn't accepted into the and hung out with the turkeys mnaged to snaghim a gf but even he is now back with the turkeys. I warn you breeding season for me wasn't fun when it came to guineas bc I couldn't keep track of all of them and count after they were roosting. I lost a hen to a coyote and I'm missing a couple others right now. Don't no if they are sitting or just gone?

They're doing great! Yes, they're still very young, only about 11 weekers

As for yours that you're missing, they may be setting a nest - that's my hope for you anyway. Thanks for letting me know about the grouping thing - I was always figuring "birds of a feather flock together" LOL