Recommendation for deformed guineas?

[familypendragon]

I got my first batch of guineas 6 weeks ago. There were a few with serious leg deformities which the breeder threw in for free if I was willing to take them. I don't mean spraddle legged - I mean leg sticking straight out to the side and twisted up at an angle. Like the joint is nearly backward. They get around ok, unbelievably, right now while still in the run. One is quite clever and runs next to the fence and uses his deformed leg up against the fence to walk. However, I am hoping to free range them during the day once they are about 10 weeks old. I have no illusions that outside of the run these guineas will be able to keep up or protect themselves. So, my current plan is just to keep the deformed ones in the coop with the chickens till they are perhaps of a good eating size and then cull them. I am brand spanking new at all this - so please let me know if my plan is a good one - or if I should do something else.

Thanks!
~Melissa

 

[PeepsCA]

Sounds good to me... why let a predator eat them when they can feed your family instead. Glad to read you are keeping them out of the gene pool.

Most Standard Guineas are done growing by 16 wks of age, but these guys with deformities may take a couple extra weeks to finish out. Or you could always weigh them, and when they get to be 3-3.5lbs you'll know when to process them (might not be much meat in the deformed legs tho, so they may not quite reach the normal weight). In my flocks, the Hens are usually a little lighter at that age.