New to this Breed

[RhodeIslandReds]

I am new to this breed I have chickens and quail. I was considering getting guineas for the bug problems. My family and I have some questions about the breed.
Can you teach them how to sleep in a coop?
What is the best breed of guineas?
Do they need spacial food?
What are they good for eggs meat ?
Please feel free to give suggestions.

Thanks,
RiRs

 

[CoopCrazy]

Bumping this up

 

[Finn's Mom]

Hi Rirs
I am new to guineas too and somebody in this forum (I am sorry I can't remember who!) suggested the following link as a good source for information.
http://www.guineafowlinternational.org/
Here's what I have learned so far:
1. Yes
2. not sure yet -- I have pearls which I gather are the most common.
3. It depends on who you ask. The man I got my keets from said 24% protein starter, but several people have said chick starter (20%) is fine too because you don't want them to get too big too fast. (I have mine on chick starter because I had it on hand and they appear to be thriving but the jury is still out pending further research)
4. The man I got the keets from said in some countries they are a delicacy but my impression is that they are used for lawn ornaments, bug control and eggs if you can get them. I paid $5 apiece for mine so we won't be eating the birds no matter how good they are supposed to taste! (plus I am one of those people who will readily eat chicken, but can't fathom eating my own.

)

Good luck!

 

[damselfish]

Yes, you can teach them to sleep in a coop. We brooded ours directly in the coop from the day we brought them home. When you first start to let them out, you will have to be very patient and use herding and treats to get them back in. But once they get the idea, they're pretty good at it. Don't count on them to go to bed early, ours stay up later than the chickens and they will not go in until they are ready.

Eggs and meat are both good but they like to hide their nests. They like to be in pairs so don't count on killing off extra males.

Best breed...I like our regular pearl guineas but there are all kinds of cool colors. Good thing about pearls is that they don't stand out to predators like the lighter colors.

Special food: feed them a higher protein feed like gamebird starter/flock raiser.

Absolutely great for eating ticks, so ugly they're beautiful, and an endless source of entertainment. I highly recommend them.

Only con is they're noisy especially when young.