Runaway Guinea comes home with girlfriend.

[snikrs11]

Hello fellow bird lovers. So I have a guinea fowl (Hewey) that was MIA Friday night. Saturday morning I was so sad that he was gone, then I looked outside and there he is with a new Guinea hen (named her Hope) They stayed for the day and were inseparable. They left Saturday afternoon and I just got them home today thanks to a Facebook post. They were seen a mile down the road.

So my bird Hewey has never been gone for that long. He is so smitten with this girl he followed her. I have them in the house and want them to know to stay home. How long should I keep them in his house? How will she realize this is now home and not leave?

 

[PatrickRoo]

Aww they're a cute couple!

If I were you, I'd build them a coop and a run. (Preferably a run that is covered on the top, so they can't fly out.) Guineas are certified wanderers if they aren't confined, plus it isn't as safe for guineas to free range, as they can be hit by a car. Or killed and eaten by a predator.

You can keep them in your house temporarily until the coop and run are finished.

Hope this helps.

 

[crity]

Wow, they were on the move. Gland you got them back.

 

[GlennLee]

So good to hear that Hewey came home and brought Hope with him. It's a good end to the story when everyone is safe. Usually it takes a new guinea 4-6 weeks of being in a coop to realize that is home. Since it sounds like he'll follow her anywhere, it's probably a good idea to keep them together for at least a month without free ranging. Probably not the answer you wanted to hear... good luck and you have some beautiful birds there!

 

[snikrs11]

Thank you to all. I know the right thing to do is keep them cooped up for a while and I will. It does make me feel bad since Hewey had free ranged since he was a kid. I will figure something out, I'm glad today is raining so I don't feel so bad keeping them in the house.

I think their beautiful too, thank you. So happy to have a little girl for my boy. Sad if someone is missing her but no one in my FB posts knew her.

 

[GlennLee]

It's probably good that she found your Hewey. Usually they're not out and about one at a time unless they've been separated from their flock and are looking for others to connect with. I know what you mean about keeping them in when they are used to free ranging and that's what they love doing, but it won't be long and they'll be able to head out together again. Plus since Hewey has a bff, he'll probably be okay with the idea of just staying home for a while. Enjoy them!

 

[snikrs11]

Hewey and Hope update! They were travelers for a week but have been home for a week and a half now. I just noticed today that hope laid an egg under a small bush I'm so excited. I don't want to leave the egg there because I don't want raccoons to get it but I'm unsure if I should move it into the coop. Right now there's only one egg but we'll see if she lays more later I'm not sure. They've been sleeping in our neighbor's trees which is causing some issues with the neighbor, I don't think he likes it but I don't know how to stop them from sleeping in his trees and make them sleep in the coop or one of our trees. Any ideas what I should do with the egg and they're sleeping Arrangements?

 

[GlennLee]

Maybe see if she continues laying there before moving. Sometimes when they are new to laying, they'll just lay in random spots or start a couple of nests. Maybe try to move the eggs into some scooped out straw. There's no guarantee she'll continue to add to what's been started - moved or not moved.

If they have the habit of sleeping in the neighbor's tree, they'll continue with that habit. I've gotten mine down from a tree by throwing a football up at it and creating a "not so pleasant roosting experience." Some people use Frisbees, I'm not that great with a Frisbee and the football worked better for me.

Good that Hewey and Hope made their way home. Once they know home, they don't forget it! Good luck with the nesting. I have a female laying out somewhere, but she hasn't gone broody yet. Will have to work on finding the eggs, but I'm not too hopeful she will continue to lay in the coop. She's not to happy with the nosey Rhode Island Reds that have taken up residence there! I'm telling you, it's like a bird soap opera!

 

[snikrs11]

Maybe see if she continues laying there before moving. Sometimes when they are new to laying, they'll just lay in random spots or start a couple of nests. Maybe try to move the eggs into some scooped out straw. There's no guarantee she'll continue to add to what's been started - moved or not moved.

If they have the habit of sleeping in the neighbor's tree, they'll continue with that habit. I've gotten mine down from a tree by throwing a football up at it and creating a "not so pleasant roosting experience." Some people use Frisbees, I'm not that great with a Frisbee and the football worked better for me.

Good that Hewey and Hope made their way home. Once they know home, they don't forget it! Good luck with the nesting. I have a female laying out somewhere, but she hasn't gone broody yet. Will have to work on finding the eggs, but I'm not too hopeful she will continue to lay in the coop. She's not to happy with the nosey Rhode Island Reds that have taken up residence there! I'm telling you, it's like a bird soap opera!

LOL bird drama! Since my post they have spent the last three nights in on of our barest trees on 13 acres. I told them they were silly to find a tree with leaves but they're home and not bothering the neighbors.

I did take the eggs. She hasn't laid anymore in the same spot or anywhere else that I can find. I created a place for her in their house but I don't think they've been in there.

I just build an incubator tonight so we'll see if they're fertile. At what day can I tell if they are fertile or not?

Thank you for your advice!

Attached some pics. One us if them invading the chickens food bowl. Too cute.