As our guinea keets approached their 6 week-old birthday we were looking forward to letting them spread their wings a bit more, literally and figuratively. When our chickens reached that age, they were able to leave the house and move into their chicken coop. After about a week in there, we let them out in the attached fenced-in area (which later got taken down when they were ready to free range).
While the guineas started out in the coop, inside a dog crate, we started letting them have run of the whole coop at times (keeping the chickens out). We thought when they reached six weeks, around that time we could put the fence back in and let them outside to get used to things slowly too.
One evening when trying to get them back in their cage, this happened:
There’s no way that fencing we had would keep them in. We would have had to build a whole deal with a roof on it, and that just seemed like too much work for what would only be a matter of weeks before they could free range too. We had the added issue that one chicken was showing signs of getting ready to lay eggs, and we needed to get the nesting boxes up in the coop, which meant we couldn’t let the keets fly free in there, and let the chickens have access too.
We definitely needed a Plan B, so we had to get our wheels turning. From what I’ve learned, the chickens will lay before evening, so we could still close up the coop for a couple hours in the evening, let the keets fly free, and then put them back in their cage before “bedtime”. Even though the guineas have been raised right there with the chickens, I read it was better to not let them together until the keets are closer in size to the chickens.
We also wanted the keets to start getting used to being outside and going back in at evening time, so this is what we ended up doing, when we need to keep the coop open:
We now alternate between putting them outdoors and letting them loose in the coop. If we give them their food when back in their cage inside the coop, hopefully they will learn, like the chickens did, to head in there in the evening once they are free ranging. It’s said the guineas are a little more difficult to train for that. Hopefully I don’t have to get out the broom and herd them in like I sometimes do when they’re loose in the coop (it probably won’t work as well when they have more places to escape from me to!).
They are 7 weeks old now, and are getting bigger, so hopefully they’ll have that freedom soon. Fingers crossed that our plans work, and we don’t have to find a Plan C to get them in at night!
They are such interesting little creatures! I can’t wait to see how they progress as they start getting more freedom. It sounds like they’re already quite the characters!
They really are cool. I can’t wait until they get outside! Hopefully in the next week or two.
Yes yes they fly real well, that’s why my guinea can be free rangers as they will fly to get away from the dogs the chickens will not so they get caught. They have to stay in the coop. Yours are getting so big, their looking great.
Thank you! I just can’t wait until they get big enough to go out! I’m glad to hear they can fly well enough to get away from the dogs. The chickens can’t fly high enough (so far) to get over our dog fence, but I’ve seen some photos of guineas in pretty high places, so that worried me a bit.
You still have some, right, you didn’t lose all of them, I hope?
You DO have your hands full, don’t you?! That’s alright, you can handle it!
Thank you! I seem to be happiest when I have my hands full. When I actually get caught up on stuff, I don’t know what to do with myself. LOL
It seems like a lot of work to me. LOL I have my hands full walking two dogs twice per day, and trying to get two blog posts up a week. 😉
It IS a lot of work! But it should be less once they grow up and get out of the coop. I couldn’t do it if I worked full time….I’m barely finding time for everything now only working part time! Not working at all would be good for me…but then there’s the money thing. LOL
Sometimes seemingly simple things need a lot of ingenuity to figure out. It sounds like you’re on the road to getting it figured out.
I do enjoy these challenges!
The Island Cats beat me to that comment. Hopefully plan B is all you need to keep your flocks safe & happy.
Someone had to say it, right? 🙂
Sounds like herding keets may be harder than herding cats!
It certainly seems so! LOL
Love how you are learning so much and making adjustments as necessary! So much fun to watch your progress!
It’s fun to have a place to share about it, so I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
I think you might be onto something with Plan B…or off to the races trying to catch them!
Why do I feel like it’s going to be off to the races? LOL
Thank you for reminding my human mommy that my little sister Tallulah can be a handful, but at least she can’t fly. Good luck!
Ha ha, yes, I sure am glad Luke can’t fly either!!
raising Guineas too. You’re busy. Hope plan B works. Enjoy those fresh laid eggs.
I might be a glutton for punishment? 🙂
I hope your plans work! Those are some good looking birds!
Oh, my gosh!!! They’re keeping your hands full, that’s for sure. They seemed to have gotten really big really fast!
But I’m ready for them to be even bigger…and out of the coop. Isn’t that how it is, even with puppies and kittens? They’re fun, but they’re so much easier when they grow up!
They sure are going to keep you busy! It should provide a lot of laughs and great photos.
Best of luck with your plan. It sounds workable…now if the beets will cooperate. Nice creative idea as a ‘training tool.’
I do like a challenge, but it would be nice if they cooperate and make it easier!
Big babies! BOL so cute
Lily & Edward
They fly really well, and are escape artists. I think you have a good set up. What fun you are having with with all this.
They are such silly little birds….they really do make it fun, even while challenging!
Sounds like good times. Guess those cute little birds will keep you on your toes! 🙂
Another thing I didn’t expect….but definitely turning out to be fun!