Integrating Guinea Hens with Chickens

[Beth K.]

I have 17 chickens (15 girls, 2 boys) and am considering getting 2 guineas next year. (Why? Because approx. 2 guineas per acre will eliminate ticks entirely.) The chickens will probably be about a year old if/when I get the guineas.

So, if I do, how do I graft the guinea hens in? Nothing is set in stone right now, I just want a good idea of what's involved if I do get them.

Thanks!

 

[silkielover5]

i have a guinea hen with 30 chickens and a peacock. honestlly i dont do what everyone says you should by slowly putting them with the flock, i just throw them in and let them establish their pecking order

but we baught our guinea 2 years ago and just threw her in with the flock...shes on top of the pecking order along with the peacock (their a bonded pair now)

 

[Waffle77]

Our two guineas (both boys and besties for life, lol) were initially let out with the chickens in a group of other guineas. No fighting/conflict, but they are the top of the pecking order and they know it...

 

[CYGChickies]

We raised our guineas and chickens together and they follow the rooster like he's the head guinea lol. We have them all in a big run attached to a barn acting as their coop and we're not putting the guineas out until Spring.

When everyone was going through "teenager" phase they got a little too big for their britches and picked on my silkies and even terrorized some hens but Roosty--the too in charge--quickly put a stop to the silliness and though the guineas still sometimes fight amongst themselves mildly, they don't pick on any chickens and have adopted Roosty as lead "guinea". Introducing may bring up some pecking order issues but once they're done the fighting should die down.

CYG