To free range or not to free range?- need answers quick please!

[watchdogps]

Ok, my guineas have been cooped up in a pen in the barn for at least six weeks. I had to move them into a big dog cage after I got a million unexpected chickens yesterday. So, time to let them out. I'm a little nervous, I dont want to lose my guineas, but I know I have to bite the bullet sometime. It's not fair for them to be in a small cage now, so now is the time.
I've been told to let them out one at a time (I have two, and they are adults), and to do so shortly before sunset.
Well, it's that time of evening now, but there looks like there might be rain coming. Should I do it, or wait till a clear day? Also, I was probably going to let one out into the barn, which is huge, but not have the big barn doors open. There are plenty of places it could get out, and if it does, i will open the barn doors b/c I hear they are kind of stupid and I dont want it trying to find a small hole to get back in.
Does this sound good? Should I do it NOW?

 

[watchdogps]

Well, I decided the weather didnt look too bad, and I went ahead and did it. He isnt happy, didnt want to come out of the cage and is now just hanging by his caged buddy. Hopefully this will work. How long till I should let the other out?

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Their home should be pretty imprinted on them so I would have no problem letting them out together. Maybe you could put up a large fenced area to make you feel better.

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
That was the original plan, and it will still happen, but more for the chickens than the guineas. But, we need more $$ first!

 

[NottinghamChicks]

We just fenced in a large area that includes both pasture and woods and it just gives them a little more security. I actually had a fox run in less than 50 feet from four people and grab a chicken! I hope when they charge now (if it happens again) they bounce off the fence and get so freaked out they stay away! It's not foolproof but it should help.

It also keeps them from wandering off too far and destroying all my flowers and berries

 

[watchdogps]

Well, I went and checked, and he's just sitting on top of his cage.

 

[watchdogps]

He's still there this morning, just upset that he cant get in with his buddy. I can see he cate the feed I scattered for him, and scratched around the barn floor. He didnt even panic when I went in to feed everyone. Feeling better about this!

 

[srpaint]

I got 4 keets. I kept them in the coop for about 5 days. Then let them out. They free range with my ducks and chickens all day. Then put themselves back in the coop at night. I have not had any trouble with them not coming back at night. But mine are young too. I do not have any adults. Just 4 youngsters.

 

[snyd08]

Quote:
you shouldnt have done it that way? at night he should have been BACK IN with her. if i were you..6 weeks. they arent going to run away on you. let them loose, leave the cage they live in OPEN and look in it at dark.... im willing to bet my knowledge of all fowl on it that they will be perched up on their roost bar.(if there is one) if they didnt have a roost then maybe youll be seeing them roosting up high. thats where they should be...

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
you shouldnt have done it that way? at night he should have been BACK IN with her. if i were you..6 weeks. they arent going to run away on you. let them loose, leave the cage they live in OPEN and look in it at dark.... im willing to bet my knowledge of all fowl on it that they will be perched up on their roost bar.(if there is one) if they didnt have a roost then maybe youll be seeing them roosting up high. thats where they should be...

I didnt do that because I had to rearrange the set up due to getting 40-some chickens dumped on me the other day. the guineas had to move to a temporary dog crate, so i couldnt just leave it open for him to go back in to it, or the other would have come out. I wanted to be sure they wouldnt go gallavanting together right away. He is doing fine, still hanging by the crate, and I will leave the door open tomorrow so they can both be free.