Integrating Guinea Fowl

[Kalieo]

I have 24 hens(4-6mo) and 6 roosters(5mo) as well as 4 guinea fowl(2mo). I’m wondering the best way to integrate the 4 guineas into the already established flock of 30 and if they’re old enough to be introduced in? My hens and roosters vary in breeds. We have Golden Comets, White Leghorns, Australorps, Bantam Cochins, and Easter Eggers. Any and all advice would be lovely! Thank you in advance!

 

[aart]

Not sure about integrating guineas.

 

[R2elk]

I have 24 hens(4-6mo) and 6 roosters(5mo) as well as 4 guinea fowl(2mo). I’m wondering the best way to integrate the 4 guineas into the already established flock of 30 and if they’re old enough to be introduced in? My hens and roosters vary in breeds. We have Golden Comets, White Leghorns, Australorps, Bantam Cochins, and Easter Eggers. Any and all advice would be lovely! Thank you in advance!

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

Guineas have entirely different mannerisms than any other poultry. They are a flock bird and do best in large groups of guineas. Once the first breeding season happens their true nature comes out. Other poultry do not understand the races and chases or the attacks from behind with the feather pulling and feather breaking.

They can cause extreme stress to a chicken flock especially if they do not understand that the chickens are not guineas.

Only other guinea fowl understand guineas.

 

[red horse ranch]

@R2elk is correct in his description of guinea fowl. They probably do best in separate quarters from chickens. But I didn't know that when I got my first guineas a lot of years ago so all my birds have always lived together in the same henhouse. It is a large building with plenty of room for all of them. And they all free range thru the day. So unless they are confined during bad weather the guineas and chickens go their separate way thru the day. I've integrated a lot of young guineas into my flock. Adult guineas will harass young ones being integrated but chickens very rarely pay attention to the young ones. I've never had the chickens or roosters bother any of them.

My young guineas are usually around 3 months old and full size before they are fully integrated into the flock although I will let them mingle some thru the day at 2 months old when I can be with them to watch.

An important thing to remember is that once the guineas are grown... Guineas Rule!