Catching guinea fowl can be a bit challenging due to their swift and skittish nature, whether you need to catch them for relocation, for veterinary care, or any other reason. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you catch guinea fowl as stress-free as possible.
Step 1: Prepare the Proper Equipment
Before attempting to catch a guinea fowl, make sure you have the right equipment. You’ll need:
- A large net with a handle – a fishing net or a poultry net will do.
- Comfortable gloves to protect your hands and give you a better grip.
- A carrier or cage to place the guinea fowl in once caught.
Step 2: Plan the Capture
Guinea fowl are most active during the day and tend to roost in the same place at night. Plan to catch them when they’re less active, often in the late evening or early morning. If you’re able to wait until dusk when they’re roosting, that would be ideal.
Step 3: Herding the Guinea Fowl
Guineas are flock animals and will usually follow each other. Herd them gently towards a confined space where they have less room to escape. A corner of a fenced area, a barn, or a coop works well.
Step 4: Using the Net
Once the guinea fowl are in a confined area, use the net to gently scoop up the bird. Aim to gently trap the bird against the ground or wall with the net, being careful not to apply too much pressure or harm the bird.
Step 5: Handling the Bird
After netting the bird, quickly and gently place your hand on its back and secure the wings to its sides to prevent the guinea fowl from flapping and potentially harming itself. If handling them directly, use gloves to protect yourself and to maintain a better grip on the bird.
Step 6: Transferring to a Carrier
Transfer the caught guinea fowl to a carrier or cage as soon as possible. Make sure the opening is ready, and place the bird inside gently. Close the door immediately to prevent escape.
Step 7: Release Stress-Free
Once you’ve caught and contained the guinea fowl, keep the bird covered and in a quiet, calm environment to reduce stress. If you’re transporting the bird, ensure the carrier is secure and not overly exposed to the elements.
Step 8: Monitor the Bird
After the catch, monitor the guinea fowl for any signs of injury or undue stress and provide care if necessary.
Tips and Warnings
Remember that chasing guinea fowl can stress them severely, which might cause them injury, including broken wings or legs. It’s important to work calmly, move slowly, and avoid loud noises during the process. Here are some additional tips:
- Have helpers to steer the birds in the desired direction.
- Use treats to entice them into an area easier for capture.
- If possible, train the birds to enter a coop or enclosure for feeding, making capture easier.
- Guinea fowl can become distressed by separation from their flock mates; keeping them within sight of each other can help minimize stress.
With patience and the right technique, catching guinea fowl can be done effectively with minimal stress to the birds and yourself.