I might be getting Gunieas, not sure.
But I have a few questions.
How big do they get?Compaired to a Standerd BR or EE hen?
How loud are they?
Can they be housed with chickens?
Is it true they scare away Foxes and chase Hawks and Dogs?
Do they need a special Feed?
How big are there eggs and can you eat them?
How many females do you need per male?
I know a female guniea is called a Hen, but what is a male called?
Are they friendly?
Can I have just three?
While guineas may look larger than they actually are, they are a small bird. Adult guineas will only dress at about 2 1/2 lbs. unless they are the Jumbo/French guineas that are bred for meat.
Guineas can be very loud. The hens buck-wheating almost non-stop in the spring as they seek mates and the entire flock going off with their alarm call are very loud. I have no trouble hearing mine from a 1/2 mile away.
There are exceptions but unless you have a very large coop in which the guineas and chickens can segregate themselves from each other it is not a good idea to house guineas and chickens together.
It has been reported that large flocks can indeed go after predators. I have never witnessed this behavior among my guineas. What a large flock of guineas can do does not apply to what just a few guineas can or will do.
Keets need a high protein turkey/gamebird starter for proper development. Adults can be fed a high quality layer feed of at least 15% protein. I feed my keets a 28% protein turkey/gamebird starter followed by a 24% protein turkey/gamebird grower. My adults get a 20% protein layer pellet with free choice oyster shell also available.
The eggs are about bantam sized and can be eaten. Some people prefer guinea egg over chicken eggs. The yolk appears to be a larger percentage of the egg than is the case with chicken eggs. Two guinea eggs are recommended as the equivalent of 1 chicken egg. Some have claimed that their chicken egg allergies are not affected by guinea eggs.
It is recommended to keep one hen for each cock (male guinea) as guineas tend to pair off.
Guineas are basically a captive wild bird and are not naturally "friendly". Using treats and much human/guinea interaction, can get them to adapt to what some people expect of their feathered pets.
Guineas are a flock bird so the recommended minimum is 10 guineas for a flock. Guineas have different mannerisms than any other domesticated poultry that can cause all kind of problems when trying to house them together with other poultry in confined spaces. Even with their small sizes they need a lot more "personal space" than chickens do. They tend to attack from the rear in groups and are feather pullers making them "terrorists" as far as other poultry are concerned.
Until you go through a breeding season with guineas, you really don't know what guineas can be like.
Good luck.
