Raising Guinea Fowl 101

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I pur hased 3 guinea in Oct. They were said to be a late July hatch. They looked good and acted fine before I purchased them. When I got them home they just sat in the corner of the coop for a few days. Then one started moving about the coop and roosting. This one seems to be a male based on its call. The other 2 which I think are female still sit in the corner by the door. They act like all their mental capabilities may not be there. Anyone have any thoughts about what may be going on with these guineas? Planning to add some more in the spring, but would like to figure these out first.
 
How long have you had them in the coop? If you're going to free range them, after about 4-6 weeks you should be able to let them out and entice them back in, in the evening, with a treat. What are you feeding them? They definitely need greens. Also, when they free range nearly 90% of their diet ends up being insects. While mine were in getting acclimated, I gave them mealworms or sometimes live crickets.

Are they pacing at all? They probably should be, as guineas are very high-energy and generally don't want to be cooped up, so to speak.

I see you're in KY, probably the weather hasn't helped. Mine (in GA) free range but after I had to take an out of town trip they got used to staying in the trees, Lately though, they've been ducking into the coop in the evening to spend the night there because of the rain/cold.

They're not the sharpest tools in the shed, so as far as the mental capabilities go... ha ha, good luck! I do love them, though.

Your babies sound sad. I would look at their diet, and the confinement probably. Let us know what happens!
 
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6197623/width/200/heig
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400I have about 60+ free range. Will put Guinea Eggs with chicken eggs in bater, all the time just put guineas in a week before chick. Raised all to in group.
 
onlygirloutof6 said:
400
I have about 60+ free range. Will put Guinea Eggs with chicken eggs in bater, all the time just put guineas in a week before chick. Raised all to in group.
Click to expand...

I do the same. Learned a lot about comingling the first year. My 6 young adults I bought, 5 were cocks and they were not raised with chickens. 3 rehomed and 2 were last years breeders. I already had 2 pearl hens, but got them as 4 week old keets.
They tore up several chicken roosters and started after the turkeys last fall, that was the last straw. Last 2 boys made freezer camp after attacking my turkey hens.
I now have 100% socialized guineas and see a huge difference. And they aren't shy of people either! Hatching my own fit my needs a lot better.
If they grow up with other types of fowl, they do coop a lot better for me too. The remaining hen from the first group is still a pain to coop at night!
 
gardengoats11 said:
I pur hased 3 guinea in Oct. They were said to be a late July hatch. They looked good and acted fine before I purchased them. When I got them home they just sat in the corner of the coop for a few days. Then one started moving about the coop and roosting. This one seems to be a male based on its call. The other 2 which I think are female still sit in the corner by the door. They act like all their mental capabilities may not be there. Anyone have any thoughts about what may be going on with these guineas? Planning to add some more in the spring, but would like to figure these out first.
Click to expand...

lizzybaxter said:
How long have you had them in the coop? If you're going to free range them, after about 4-6 weeks you should be able to let them out and entice them back in, in the evening, with a treat. What are you feeding them? They definitely need greens. Also, when they free range nearly 90% of their diet ends up being insects. While mine were in getting acclimated, I gave them mealworms or sometimes live crickets.

Are they pacing at all? They probably should be, as guineas are very high-energy and generally don't want to be cooped up, so to speak.

I see you're in KY, probably the weather hasn't helped. Mine (in GA) free range but after I had to take an out of town trip they got used to staying in the trees, Lately though, they've been ducking into the coop in the evening to spend the night there because of the rain/cold.

They're not the sharpest tools in the shed, so as far as the mental capabilities go... ha ha, good luck! I do love them, though.

Your babies sound sad. I would look at their diet, and the confinement probably. Let us know what happens!
Click to expand...

I turned them out. The male that is doing fine in the coop just paced back and forth in front of the coop trying to get back in. So I put him back and he seemed happy. The 2 females just wondered aimlessly around in the barn seemingly depressed.

I really don't want to have to purchase 30 keets to add to the flock, but purchasing more keets would give me the opportunity to add another color or 2. Anyone in the Northern KY area looking for keets this spring/summer? If I decide to purchase I will have to move some of them along as I do not want 30 guineas running around chatting it up all day.
 
Tikkijane said:
Anyone have saddle/apron dimensions? Saw 4 of the boys on one of the girls and she is looking rough.
hmm.png
Click to expand...
I think the "small" large frame hen size work for them (good example is leghorn hen size).
My girls weigh maybe 3 pounds. Mine seem to "pair off" in small groups so I haven't had too many problems. I have 2 roos to 5 hens.
The boys do squabble a bit but grew up together.
 

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