How to age a Guinea?

[BizzyB]

I recently got a baby Guinea fowl today as a guard for my chickens (which are currently two chicks) and wanted to know if it could be aged? I bought it from Atwood’s so I figure only a few days old

 

[R2elk]

I recently got a baby Guinea fowl today as a guard for my chickens (which are currently two chicks) and wanted to know if it could be aged? I bought it from Atwood’s so I figure only a few days old

Guineas are flock birds. All the true stories of them being guards are due to their flock behavior. They do best in large groups.

A single guinea will not guard your chicks.

Guineas need a high protein turkey or game bird starter for their proper growth and development. Chick starter is not appropriate for keets.

That keet looks to be several days old and definitely less than a week old.

 

[BizzyB]

Guineas are flock birds. All the true stories of them being guards are due to their flock behavior. They do best in large groups.

A single guinea will not guard your chicks.

Guineas need a high protein turkey or game bird starter for their proper growth and development. Chick starter is not appropriate for keets.

That keet looks to be several days old and definitely less than a week old.

Then he’ll probably just be a pet then which is still fine with me

 

[R2elk]

Then he’ll probably just be a pet then which is still fine with me

Keets brooded with chicks imprint and lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between chickens and guineas.

Guineas have entirely different instincts than any other poultry. Everything can seem fine until the first breeding rolls around.

If yoour keet turns out to be a hen, it will begin calling non-stop for a mate. If it turns out to be a male, it may start attacking your chickens and try treating them the same way it would other guineas with chasing, attacks from the rear and feather pulling and breaking.

 

[BizzyB]

Keets brooded with chicks imprint and lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between chickens and guineas.

Guineas have entirely different instincts than any other poultry. Everything can seem fine until the first breeding rolls around.

If yoour keet turns out to be a hen, it will begin calling non-stop for a mate. If it turns out to be a male, it may start attacking your chickens and try treating them the same way it would other guineas with chasing, attacks from the rear and feather pulling and breaking.

So would it be best to give them up? I want what’s best for them and my chickens

 

[R2elk]

So would it be best to give them up? I want what’s best for them and my chickens

Yes, it would be best for the guinea to be with other guineas.

 

[BizzyB]

Yes, it would be best for the guinea to be with other guineas.

I’m looking for a new home for him in my area and I hope I’ll be able to find one soon

 

[SamLockwood]

One thing I'd note is that the guinea fowl as flock-guardians is somewhat of a myth in my experience. As R2elk pointed out you need multiple guineas for them to have a proper flock dynamic.

Even if you pick the right breeds and have the right set-up for a mixed flock, the guineas are never really going to "protect" your chickens in the sense that they'll protect other guineas. Even raised together, by the time they mature they seem to figure out who the chickens and the guineas are, and the guineas are only really interested in protecting the other guineas.

Now, guineas are more territorial and aggressive than most poultry, and if there's enough of them and they aren't surprised by a predator attack I have seen them whip themselves into a frenzy and then mob a lone predator. This will benefit your chickens due to the "distraction" the guineas provide. But it's not the same as what a good rooster will do to watch over his hens.