They're 12 weeks old now...

[Lothiriel]

My guineas are out free ranging for the first time today!!

I am paranoid.... But they are being so good. All morning they stayed right next to the coop, and only a few minutes ago ventured down the lane toward the tractor. They've been singing all morning and afternoon too... (You'd think their voices would get hoarse! lol)

I put up a light in the coop this morning..... Now... Praying that they'll go to bed by themselves!

 

[chickened]

I have six frtom this spring, they are now thinking about the one girl and there are 5 boys (ugh!) if you were closer I would give them to you.

 

[PeepsCA]

Wow, they grew up fast... time flies. Might be a good idea to herd them in/call them in before the sun goes down for a while... and establish a coop-up routine for them, or they may end up in the trees. Giving them a treat in the coop, at coop-up time definitely helps with establishing the routine.

 

[Lothiriel]

I have six frtom this spring, they are now thinking about the one girl and there are 5 boys (ugh!) if you were closer I would give them to you.

Haha... I'd take maybe 2 of the boys...

Wow, they grew up fast... time flies. Might be a good idea to herd them in/call them in before the sun goes down for a while... and establish a coop-up routine for them, or they may end up in the trees. Giving them a treat in the coop, at coop-up time definitely helps with establishing the routine.

Good idea. I've been giving them millet at bed time for a while now, but I'll definitely keep it up! The last thing I want is missing guineas!

 

[Lothiriel]

I LOVE MY GUINEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are all in bed. All seven of 'em. All by themselves. And it's only 8:30. And I haven't even gone out yet (I'm just heading out the door).

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

[bradselig]

Congrats! That is awesome. I had a very similar experience tonight with my first free ranging experience with the guineas as well. Im really getting addicted to these guineas. So different than the chickens.

 

[PeepsCA]

I LOVE MY GUINEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are all in bed. All seven of 'em. All by themselves. And it's only 8:30. And I haven't even gone out yet (I'm just heading out the door).

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Excellent!!! If only we were all that lucky, lol. You did a great job of making them love their coop

 

[Lothiriel]

Congrats! That is awesome. I had a very similar experience tonight with my first free ranging experience with the guineas as well. Im really getting addicted to these guineas. So different than the chickens.

Oh they definitely are! Glad yours went well too!

Quote: Thanks! I'm very pleased myself. Ever since I got them I've been worrying about this day and fearing that they'd all run off and get eaten and never come back. Now, I realize this was only day 1 and there are many more chances that could happen. But I'm not as worried now.

 

[Candice's Peeps]

Mine are around 3 months now too...and I was wondering when I could start letting them free range. I like your idea with the millet though...I am about to build a new coop for them (they are growing up with some other babies right now -chickens and turkeys). I think once I move them to their new coop...I'll give them millet every night around 8 just to train them to come back at night. I am glad I read your post!

 

[NoMoreHoppers]

I have not been able to get them attracted to the millet, but they love lettuce. Mine hit 3 months this past week and I opened the door to the pen and coaxed them out with lettuce. What a nice sight. They hung around the yard most of the day and then hit the hillside for a grasshopper snack in the afternoon. I went out before sunset and guided them back to the pen with no problems.

The next couple of outings were hit and miss. Some were back in towards evening and some were confused about where the gate was located. They are learning though because as the sun sets, they are working their way around the pen fence looking for the gate.

Goofy little things they are. Yesterday they hit the field again for hoppers scattering in all directions. Then one looked up and saw the group was not together and gave out the distress call. All 20 took flight and scatter landed back in the yard and on the pen covering. It took another few minutes to regroup and they were off snarfing hoppers and stripping weeds again. In the newness of it all, everything is a potential roost. I watch them from the upper house deck. Better than tv.