Guinea fowl questions

[M-H-Fielding]

I have heard a lot about Guinea fowl, and have some questions about them before I bring some keets home:
Are they cold hardy?
Are they picky about what they eat?
Are they good meat birds?
How much room do they need in a cage?
Are they ranging birds, or should they stay caged up?
Can they fly?
Will they get along with other poultry?
Is there anything else I should know about Guinea fowl before I get some?

I have had experiences where I bring home a new species and realize I knew nothing about it. I decided to do my research first this time.
Any help is very appreciated!

 

[R2elk]

I have heard a lot about Guinea fowl, and have some questions about them before I bring some keets home:
Are they cold hardy?
Are they picky about what they eat?
Are they good meat birds?
How much room do they need in a cage?
Are they ranging birds, or should they stay caged up?
Can they fly?
Will they get along with other poultry?
Is there anything else I should know about Guinea fowl before I get some?

I have had experiences where I bring home a new species and realize I knew nothing about it. I decided to do my research first this time.
Any help is very appreciated!

Read the thread Raising Guinea Fowl 101 and pay particular attention to posts made by @PeepsCA .

They can be cold hardy.

They can be picky about what they eat.

They are delicious meat birds but are not a large carcass producer. I typically find regular guineas to dress out to 2.5 lbs.

They are not a cage bird and typically need a minimum of 4 sq. ft. of clear floor space per bird in a coop. They need much more space in a run or free ranging.

They provide their best benefits, tick and insect control, when free ranging.

Guineas fly very well.

It depends on how they are raised and housed. Raised and housed separately they can get along well with other poultry. Brooded and raised with other poultry can cause severe stress to the other poultry once the guineas mature and start displaying their natural habits.

They need to be started on a high protein turkey or game bird starter.

Their legs are fragile.

They can be very loud.

They cannot be sexed until they are adults.

 

[M-H-Fielding]

Thank you!