WK #3

[Sydney65]

Looks like I doubled up on wk 5's and this was really week #7..

 

[R2elk]

I've seen debate on insulation, so that's this week's question. He found rolls of unused insulation- "reflective insulation"? It looks like foil w/bubble wrap in between. The coop isn't going to be air tight, so that part of debate shouldn't be an issue. There will still be venting from the roof and below. If we use it, shld we use it Inside or outside? Concern re pecking and eating?

If you use insulation, I would put it on the inside and cover it. You can use cheap wafer board to cover it up, but you need to cover it with something to make sure they cannot eat it.

Do they really only weigh 2-4 lbs fully grown?

Unless you have Jumbos, they really aren't very big when adults. I have dressed adults and about 2 1/2 lbs. is all the processed carcasses weighed. If there is 40% loss from live weight to dressed weight, 5 lbs. live weight would be a big guinea.

 

[Sydney65]

Yesterday was moving day. After living in a tote all of their lives, they weren't sure if they shld be thrilled or terrified of their new space. It was a good test run though, as it got down to 50° last night. I put in 12" of wood shavings and closed the windows early, so it was plenty warm when I shut them in for the night. So much so I realized I was a detriment to the environment bc I was sweating, so once they were happily eating millet on their perches, I left.
It was still chilly when I opened the coop to the run this a.m., so they came out to eat and then huddled. Reminded me of myself while fall camping. I

herded them back in the coop but left it open and they came out later in the morning. So we have success! Thanks, everyone, especially @R2elk, for all of your help getting this far!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Yesterday was moving day. After living in a tote all of their lives, they weren't sure if they shld be thrilled or terrified of their new space. It was a good test run though, as it got down to 50° last night. I put in 12" of wood shavings and closed the windows early, so it was plenty warm when I shut them in for the night. So much so I realized I was a detriment to the environment bc I was sweating, so once they were happily eating millet on their perches, I left.
It was still chilly when I opened the coop to the run this a.m., so they came out to eat and then huddled. Reminded me of myself while fall camping. I View attachment 1916908 herded them back in the coop but left it open and they came out later in the morning. So we have success! Thanks, everyone, especially @R2elk, for all of your help getting this far!

Nice! Yes, ours were similarly unsure of terror vs thrill when placed in their new coop! In our case, their terror was justified as a black rat snake managed to get in and kill two keets 4 days after placing the keets inside. I’ve been making things tighter ever since... Your coop and run look quite secure!

 

[Sydney65]

Nice! Yes, ours were similarly unsure of terror vs thrill when placed in their new coop! In our case, their terror was justified as a black rat snake managed to get in and kill two keets 4 days after placing the keets inside. I’ve been making things tighter ever since... Your coop and run look quite secure!

WOW! You've an awesome coop! Himself might do me in if I asked for that! Lol. Your keets appear at same stage as mine, w/their naked little necks. That's just started since they moved out.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

WOW! You've an awesome coop! Himself might do me in if I asked for that! Lol. Your keets appear at same stage as mine, w/their naked little necks. That's just started since they moved out.

Well I feel bad that I missed the gaps that let a snake in, but I do like the general design that I followed from another BYC post. I have a couple of cattle panel structures and ready like the ease of building and cost. Your coop is lovely! I like the metal siding in particular.

 

[Sydney65]

Wk. #8.and a halfish? Everyone is doing well. I move them during the day when it's nice to the kennel so that they can enjoy the grass - seems like I was keeping a list at some point of good to know/have stuff: so yes, R2elk was right, raised coop bed, probably not the best plan. For one, I'm marching them elsewhere for grass, and 2, I'm pretty sure a snake died under there. They march like little kids out of the coop and into the kennel. A little cockier in the evening going back, but we get it done. Nugget's still a shrimp by comparison, but like every other smallest child, she takes advantage of it by perching on the food dish, or me, or the others...
So I'm about to finish w/the #50 bag of Startena, and scoping out what to get next. I was thinking all things relative except the protein, I'd just stick w/startena through the winter. Then I read that wasn't necessarily a good idea.
Then I read a big debate abt Purina changing their formula to plant-based protein. Um, that's pretty much MY diet, mb not so good for birds? Yet, seems like that's the norm now. Purina doesn't want to share their ingredients on line. Frankly, buying bird feed shouldn't be this difficult. So, here's the deal, @R2elk - just tell me what

to get!
The crew wasn't feeling photogenic this evening as it was chow time, but you should be able to see how much they've grown. I'm fairly convinced you were right, that the 2 oldest are giants. They're coming out of their chicken phase, not so afraid of everything anymore. All 6 will stand on my lap to eat out of my hand now.

 

[R2elk]

So I'm about to finish w/the #50 bag of Startena, and scoping out what to get next. I was thinking all things relative except the protein, I'd just stick w/startena through the winter. Then I read that wasn't necessarily a good idea.
Then I read a big debate abt Purina changing their formula to plant-based protein. Um, that's pretty much MY diet, mb not so good for birds? Yet, seems like that's the norm now. Purina doesn't want to share their ingredients on line. Frankly, buying bird feed shouldn't be this difficult. So, here's the deal, @R2elk - just tell me what to get!

I don't worry about whether the processed feed is plant or animal based. As long as it contains the proper amount of protein, lysine, methionine and niacin, I am happy.

Your guineas are old enough to go on a turkey or game bird grower (usually 24% protein with higher amounts of lysine, methionine and niacin than chicken feed but lower amounts than will be found in a good turkey or game bird starter. If you do not have turkey or game bird grower available, you can use a 20% protein All Flock or Flock Raiser feed.

Most companies will only share online the same ingredients that are required to be on the tag on the bags by the USDA. Many ingredients are required to be listed but not the amount that is actually in the feed. When contacted directly the companies tend to be helpful in providing the requested information.

Good luck.

 

[Sydney65]

Wk..#11
We took a walk today, to hang out in the garden for a bit.
I did find a feed meeting suggested requirements, but it is dustier. What happens when they move up to layers, do the males get the same? Hoping to go back to Purina then.
It's funny the perception ppl have of what their calls sound like. I have yet to hear "buck wheat". 2 screech "Come back Come back!", my graceful Bella says "Thank you" which makes my husband laugh bc I spontaneously respond w/"you're welcome". The males just say "chee". Nugget-I don't know. I still only get trills and cheeps.
"Lucy" seems to be the matriarch? She's the one that leads, herds, & calls wayward ones back. She discovered flight last week-straight up & onto the barn roof. It was amusing, bc she was cocky abt it for seconds, until she started sliding down & couldn't stop...she had a safe landing.
With the sun setting earlier, I was l late getting them into the coop one night. They all perched on the crossbar above the door of the run. They knew I was in the coop & came to the door fussing bc they cld hear me putting out the millet, but wldnt come in until I turned on a light.
After I shut off the led & left the coop, I watched through the window. Everyone had been on a perch, but one apparently got down as I left. I watched it's shadow for awhile as it paced, but didn't get on perch. I went back in, turned on light, and it immediately went to the perch.
This made me think abt the warnings re locking them up at night-if they can't see, they won't fly, and if they won't fly, they're sitting ducks no matter how high up they are.

 

[R2elk]

It's funny the perception ppl have of what their calls sound like. I have yet to hear "buck wheat".

My neighbor always referred to the "buckwheat" call as being "puh qwee puh qwee".