Adding just a few Guineas question

[gallusdomesticus]

I'm a long time backyard hen keeper and was thinking of adding a few (2) guineas to my flock. Based on what I've read on the discussion threads, it appears chickens and guineas can share a coop and free range together but it seems guineas have more of a "pack" instead of flock mentality. Could I introduce just two birds to my flock of 10 hens after raising them separated until they're adult size? Or do you need to have more birds. Will just having two guineas cut down on the chances they'll gang up on a hen? If both of them are male, will they fight like two roosters would? Thanks for your responses.

 

[JLeigh]

If you're going to get only two, which most people will say isn't ideal for "maximum guinea happiness" , I'd suggest a male and a female. They're more motivated to get along,

, and fulfill instincts.

I was very lucky. I had two - a male and a female - and they seemed very happy. They didn't share a coop or pen with my chickens. They were dominant over the chickens, but there were no fights, no feather pulling, no biting. The guineas would run the chickens away from treats, but each group had their own sleeping quarters and food & water stations. The reason it worked between the chickens and guineas is SPACE. Lots of it increases the chances of success. Trust me. Too little space and you increase the chances of aggression by 100.

They all free-ranged during the day and were penned at night.

I now plan on having more guineas, and they'll each have their own coop and pen.

 

[juststruttin]

I agree, for chickens and Guinneas to live happily together you need to have lots of out door space. I would not suggest getting them if you keep your chickens in a run.

I have 6 guinneas and they share a a large converted horse shelter (16' x 32) with my chickens and they get along fine. The pasture is about 1/2 acre but the guinneas fly over the fence and cruz around all day on our property and return to the coop at night so I rarely see any scrabbles. If their is a squabble, its the guinneas chasing the chickens, but I have never seen them do anything more than chase them.

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Thanks for the information, I just have a quarter acre backyard when I let them out of their run....it may not be enought space. I appreciate your insights.