They're 12 weeks old now...

[Chaneys Ranch]

OMGosh i love reading all of this.
i just got my first guineas... hubby has had them...
they were unwanted mistakes and i took them in.
so tiny, little 4 week olds.
i am so nervous and hope they will be ok.
been reading all day.

 

[inthesticks]

It's great getting to read everyone's experiences with these adorable guineas! I'm glad I'm not the only one worrying about the first free range outing & all that. Right now my 4 guineas roam the fowl yard with my chickens, ducks, & rabbits. They all get along very well for having the same taste in relaxing spots. They are all a real hoot to sit and watch. My guineas will start exploring & will even walk right over a napping chicken or sneak in for feed right under my ducks!

I love love love the mirrors! Not only do the guineas love it, but one of my rabbits, Bradly, will sit in front of it during the afternoon and just stare at himself while he cleans!!

Can't wait to read more from everyone!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

starting on 6 weeks old, with the 2 babies. They are caged with the rest of my flock, but separated in a big wire dog kennel. I am hoping the limited but constant exposure will let them transition to being with the rest of the flock in 2 weeks. They go out to the grass in the shade where everyone ranges, and i pull out the tray so their little feet are on grass/dirt during the day.(like a mini tractor LOL) At night, they go into the coop with everyone but stay in the kennel. i leave 1 side open so they can see but they aren't harassed. This way they stay on high protein food without concern of the "big girls" stealing it and them starving. They are so timid, i can tell they weren't socialized at all. Just sad. Am trying to add a little more exposure each day. The Ducks have accepted them, and all line up next to the open side already. its sweet to see the babies huddled next to them at night. We are finally seeing temps at 70 here at night so at least no worries about all of my babies suffering from the heat.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

OK I am hooked on the guineas! Appears that i have 2 hens.
Found 6 of the white Guineas that are being re-homed, hope to pick them up tomorrow!
My 2 babies follow me everywhere. when i let everyone out in the mornings, its hilarious!
They take off flying with the ducks and do circles around me

they mostly make the adorable cheep peep sounds, unless something frightens them.
Then we ALL hear about it!

 

[inthesticks]

jchny2000 That's awesome! Lucky duck finding some white guineas. ~


My four guineas are so quite that it's hard to tell who's what! I believe my oldest pearl is a hen & my coral is a male(both going on 11wks). Time will tell as soon as one pops an egg out

My other 2 are going on 8wks and still hiding their gender very well!

I have started giving all my standard sized chickens, ducks, and guineas group free range time almost everyday. Sometimes they don't feel like it though, I'll be working in their yard and around the area with the entrance wide open and they turn their noses up at it!!!!

The guineas have become good friends with my 4 barred rock girls and will follow each other around and snuggle up for nap times (one of the reasons I think they are soo quite)

 

[JesnJer]

We started ours free ranging at around 6wks. I always start them in our chicken run and I had read that its easier to raise them with chicks so we raised our 6 guineas with 5 chicks. Some nights they are the last ones in the coop but they are always in before dark. I'm convinced its because of the chicks, they free range with the chicks they started out with. That might change in the future, we are currently around 10wks.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

jchny2000 That's awesome! Lucky duck finding some white guineas. ~


My four guineas are so quite that it's hard to tell who's what! I believe my oldest pearl is a hen & my coral is a male(both going on 11wks). Time will tell as soon as one pops an egg out

My other 2 are going on 8wks and still hiding their gender very well!

I have started giving all my standard sized chickens, ducks, and guineas group free range time almost everyday. Sometimes they don't feel like it though, I'll be working in their yard and around the area with the entrance wide open and they turn their noses up at it!!!!

The guineas have become good friends with my 4 barred rock girls and will follow each other around and snuggle up for nap times (one of the reasons I think they are soo quite)

Thank you! Didnt get to pick them up yet

Hope no one beats me to them.
I read only the hens make the buckwheat calls (2 syllable) theres sound great sound clips online if you google it.
My older chickens arent acceping them as well but dont harm them.
The ducks are their best buds, they snuggle with them. ( about the same age)
I usually am outside all afternoon to early evening so they get at least 6 hours supervised ranging with the whole flock.

 

[inthesticks]

I have sat and listened to those calls for what seems like forever online since they were 6wks - they are just stubborn and don't want me to know, it feels like - but pretty sure my oldest pearl made the buck wheat today
I hope you get them as well - could get some great color combos after a few crosses & generations

Awww I wish my ducks would snuggle with the guineas too, but they really don't bother them.... they prefer to give the chickens little nibbles on their tail feathers when they aren't paying attention

Oh yes I will only let them out when I'm outside and can see them. I'm such a MOM with them -plus I want to learn their habits so I can try and 'train them' when it comes time to start laying.
Already began making hideaway spots inside their yard using old boards, rocks, scrap chicken wire, and tall grass/weeds.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

inthesticks
I am so worried on the egg hiding, we have 5 acres mostly wood and bush on 3.
They stay fairly close to the coop, farthest they go is out by the barn, about 100 ft away.

They both sneak up and nibble the geese when they are sleeping and dart away, its hilarious!
My poor gander will jerk awake and be so mad his head shakes!
Hehehe, Like kids ringing the door and running!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Here they are! Looks like 5 are cock, and 1 hen.
Doesnt matter to me, they all get loud when something is wrong!!

My 2 little hens were really excited!
The dominant hen fluffed up and challenged one of the cocks, but they all settled down fast.
going to see how it goes, i am pretty sure i will keep them all.
they have beautiful "ghost" markings, pictures does not do justice.