Scored a "coop" on craigslist...need suggestions and advice on modifications

[SunHwaKwon]

I would not mix guineas with bantams. They can be terrorizing bullies. Guineas also need more space than chickens.

You are right about the bullying. I was worried that the guineas would harm the chicks I just got being that the guineas are significantly larger, but the chicks really know how to hold their own. I ended up getting rid of one after a day because he was the true definition of a bully even while in the dog crate I put inside the kennel. He was reaching through to grab at the guineas when they walked by. Everyone else is fine with the guineas. There is the same stealing of treats and such as the guineas do with each other and the chicks do with each other. At night the chicks settle in on the roost first then the guineas argue over the remaining area, which is more than enough but they try to all squish into the same 3 feet of space for whatever reason. Everyone is young, so I think that is helping with everyone figuring out how to get along.

I opened the door to the run today for the first time after covering the remaining open areas over the run. No one was brave enough to even step out onto the platform to the ramp, but maybe tomorrow someone will give it a shot. I will be happier when everyone is using the coop AND run during the day, for more space and to ease any boredom.

Eventually the guineas will be free ranging. I'm not sure if I will want to free range the chickens or not.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Ther

Is there anything over the top of the kennel run besides that tarp? If not hawks can get in on the ends, as well as nighttime varmints (if you aren't locking up the entrance to the run at night).

There wasn't but I finished closing that in today. I not only wanted to keep predators out but also keep the birds in!

The birds will go in the coop at night (hopefully - dang guineas) and that will be locked up and the run locked up as well.

 

[keesmom]

Good luck getting the guineas to cooperate! Friends have some, and they roost in the trees. Funny flock though. They were hand raised by the kids and they are surprisingly people friendly. The whole lot (they still have 15) greet anyone that comes to the house with a racket, then take off into the woods again.