Have Chickens, but still want Guinea

[KrisH]

LOL Robert!

My Guineas range my pastures and love to scratch thru the manure (for fly larva, beetles and other bugs), but I don't have enough fruit trees to compare to an orchard so I can't say how they are with gnats.

They will eat bees if they can catch them... so you'll want to make sure the Guineas do not have access to any hives (if you have any). They have been known to camp out in front of the hives and snack all day.

I guess I should feed them less then. They do keep the horse maure piles spresd out better, but they also have free access to food like the chickens and turkeys.

RobertH

 

[lisa760]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I will just monitor things when they arrive this summer.

 

[JanO]

I'm really glad I found this thread. I'm planning on getting a few guinea keets this year, but was only planning on about 3 or 4. Now I'm reconsidering that number and thinking 10 or 12 would be wise.

 

[JLeigh]

JanO, Get as many as you can. They're happier that way and do a better job of eating bugs.

 

[PeepsCA]

JanO, Get as many as you can. They're happier that way and do a better job of eating bugs.

X2. Just 3-4 Guineas won't be or won't stay happy/content for long...

 

[JanO]

Thanks for the advice. I found someone who will have keets available in about 4-6 weeks for $5 a piece. I told her I'd take at least 10, maybe more. I've got pullets in the brooder now, so the timeing works out well for me. I've raised pullets for years but have never raised guineas, so I'm kind of excited to try something new.

 

[JLeigh]

Brooding keets is identical to brooding chicks - same temp requirements, 95, to 90, to 85...etc. The only differences are, you want to start keets out on a game bird starter food - minimum of 26% protein, and put them on a non-slick, non-slip bedding surface, like rubber shelf liner or textured paper towels so they have traction. A slippery surface can cause splayed legs, and if you put keets on shavings, they might eat it and become impacted.

The other difference is that once keets are ready to go outside (fully feathered) you need to keep them confined in a pen/coop area for at least six weeks so they imprint on "home". Otherwise, when you let them out, you risk having them wander or fly away - never to be seen again.

You probably know this already, but it never hurts to repeat it just in case.

 

[Jennsbirds]

How big of a yard/run would require guineas and couldn't rely on a few chickens?

 

[JanO]

Jennsbirds I'm not sure I understand your question? Are you asking how much space a flock of guineas/chickens need, or ??? I intend to allow mine to free range and hope I can convince them to roost in the coop or barn so they will be safe from night time preditors. However, the main reason I want guineas is to help with the bug population so it only makes sence that they would have to free range. I would think though that guineas need just as much space in the run as a regular chicken, but I could be wrong.

 

[PeepsCA]

I wasn't sure what Jennsbirds was asking either...

I try to provide 4-5 sq ft of floor space per Guinea in the coop, and twice (if not more) than that in the covered run/pen. Plus plenty of roosting space, and more than one feeder and waterer.

I do not house my Guineas with chickens.