How Many??

[RareFeathers]

I'm Going to buy myself some guineas for christmas, and there's a hatchery that sells day olds, at $5.50 each. They ship to my area, and can get around 100 day olds in one box, for $30. so my question is how many should i get? any help appreciated


thanks
james

 

[M@M@2four]

Quote:
Hello! I have guineas and I usually like to keep about 12 on my property. They free range all day long(eat ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes) and then coop up in the barn at night with my chickens.

Do you have to do a minimum order? If so, what is the minimum? You could always sell the extras locally if you only wanted so many but had to order a minimum! Good luck!!!

 

[robin416]

For a balanced flock your numbers should be ten or above. Don't start with ten because there will be losses.

Start with the lower numbers (ten or fifteen), that gives you an opportunity to keep the flock in control and teach them about returning to their coop each night. Once you have established that then grow your flock steadily. New adds will learn from the original birds with help from you.

 

[cgmccary]

If I were you, I'd go with more if you can because all kinds of things happen. I started with some hatching eggs I let my broody hens hatch and raise. I lost a good number of eggs to a ratsnake (about 6) just before hatch time, a couple of eggs got cracked in the process and a couple of keets just died the first week for no reason (I think one got cold one morning). Another one got killed by the other hens when it was real little-- they seem to have mistaken it for a mouse or something & to make a long story short, out of 25 eggs, I ended up with 14 now 4 month old Guineas (1 solid white one & 13 Pearl except 3 having a couple of white primary feathers). I don't know the ratio of male to female but some are calling "buckwheat" so I assume they are females and some are sparring with each other so I am assuming they are males.

I have to say I was shocked when they started flying on top of the barn at 3 weeks old! I called a friend and asked how do I get the little things to come down (I found out, you don't, they just come down when they want to--- I was afraid because of hawks when they were so young & up so high).

My 14 go in the coop with the chickens at night & are locked up. I let them out every morning. I notice they retreat to the coop if a hawk flies over or anything threatens them. They seem to getting along with the chickens. Although mine are flighty as are Guineas, since they were raised by the hens (who are all very friendly and follow me), they seem to be comfortable walking toward me and around me. They seem to be venturing no further than the chickens for now & I must say, are much more cautious than the chickens. Some are still attached very much to their mother hens (and surprisingly, the mother hens have not weaned them like they do their chicken young-- i.e. they still seem attentive to them & my big rooster will even lead them around).

 

[Holmes' Homestead]

I was wondering this myself. I'm planning on getting some keets and pullets this spring for the first time and have been researching a bit. We have almost 7 acres of land. My wife and I were thinking of starting off with 25, that's including Guineas. We're not sure of the ratio to get, but will probably start with more pullets than keets. We have a big tick problem, so I was thinking of at least 5 Guineas, does that seem reasonable? Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[robin416]

Start with ten guineas. Less and you'll more than likely have problems with the Guineas going after the chickens.

As to sex ratios, with guineas isn't an issue like it is with chickens. You are actually better off to have more males than females because the males will concentrate on sparring with each other and leave the chickens out of it.