Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[perchie.girl]

I have 4 pearl gray guinea fowl. I received them as keets the first week of April this year from rural king. Just last week I found my first egg. I've gotten three more since then. I guess I was just amazed because I had read where my guineas weren't supposed to start laying eggs until next spring??? Is this common? I guess I'm just very happy they are already giving me eggs! They certainly are tiny, but they are still good to eat!

Not uncommon here where right now we are having triple digits. Mine layed but it wasnt like a regular laying season. when the temps get cooler they will stop and you wont see eggs till spring. When ever your spring is.

In San Diego Our spring starts in February.... then our fall starts in late October early November... But this year its been HOT all year pretty much. January we had several 90 degree days.

deb

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have 4 pearl gray guinea fowl. I received them as keets the first week of April this year from rural king. Just last week I found my first egg. I've gotten three more since then. I guess I was just amazed because I had read where my guineas weren't supposed to start laying eggs until next spring??? Is this common? I guess I'm just very happy they are already giving me eggs! They certainly are tiny, but they are still good to eat!

WOW! Yes very uncommon, but not impossible. This years weather has several of my species laying off season. I am still getting goose eggs! They normally stop in June.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Looks like my guineas are done this year, been over a week for eggs. Kind of relieved but found a new customer today! Have around 20 tiny keets so I can fill the order.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

A good friend and I did a raising, and processing comparison between Guinea fowl and Ring neck pheasant this year Both species raised on 30% protein game bird ration. My outlook on them as follows...
Guinea are hardy and almost never have health issues, grow faster and more prolific. Free range well, without issues. Ring neck are less prolific and cannot be free ranged, but are hardy birds in confinement. Both brood and raise their young.
Guinea are not cannibalistic, as pheasant can be between males in confinement. Guinea are less human social than pheasant however, at least in large groups.
Guineas were easier to process, there was almost no difference in flavor, both slow roasted at the same time. Frankly, liked the guinea better for a table bird. Less hassle to raise, can be free ranged to serve a second purpose, insect control! Thoughts, opinions welcome, just MHO. Guineas won with me, hands down for a different food source, and dual purpose bird.

 

[R2elk]

A good friend and I did a raising, and processing comparison between Guinea fowl and Ring neck pheasant this year Both species raised on 30% protein game bird ration. My outlook on them as follows...
Guinea are hardy and almost never have health issues, grow faster and more prolific. Free range well, without issues. Ring neck are less prolific and cannot be free ranged, but are hardy birds in confinement. Both brood and raise their young.
Guinea are not cannibalistic, as pheasant can be between males in confinement. Guinea are less human social than pheasant however, at least in large groups.
Guineas were easier to process, there was almost no difference in flavor, both slow roasted at the same time. Frankly, liked the guinea better for a table bird. Less hassle to raise, can be free ranged to serve a second purpose, insect control! Thoughts, opinions welcome, just MHO. Guineas won with me, hands down for a different food source, and dual purpose bird.

Where I live the guineas get an additional plus since they do not require the purchase of a permit in order to own them. Here a G&F permit is required to own pheasants and they must be raised in a G&F approved pen.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:

Where I live the guineas get an additional plus since they do not require the purchase of a permit in order to own them. Here a G&F permit is required to own pheasants and they must be raised in a G&F approved pen.

Agree, another huge plus. Indiana residents have to obtain a game permit for any true pheasant here. Guinea fowl do not.

 

[perchie.girl]

Very interesting... makes me want to get started with Guineas again all the more.

 

[Adorkable]

Very interesting... makes me want to get started with Guineas again all the more.

I just picked up my first guinea keets last week at Atwoods farm store. 3 whites and 3 lavender. I'm excited to watch them grow, but a little scared that they may hurt my chickens. They will free range together. Right now I'm raising them with the little straight run red chick that's laying in the bowl. I will probably only keep 2 or 3 females. Hopefully I have at least 2 girls, but if I end up with only one girl I'll keep pair. May end up eating a few boys since we've never eaten them before. I didn't expect them to be so fast... they're like little mice running around all over their brooder box.

 

[red horse ranch]

My chickens and guineas have lived together for years without problem. Once in a while you can end up with an aggressive guinea towards the chickens. That one should be removed from the flock. But most of the time they will get along just fine with each other. They will go their separate way thru the day but they all sleep together in the same coop at night.
Guineas are happiest in flocks. The recommended number is at least 5 or 6. If you have the room and no aggression problems, I would advise keeping all of them. The whites and lavenders should make a very pretty flock.

 

[Adorkable]

My chickens and guineas have lived together for years without problem. Once in a while you can end up with an aggressive guinea towards the chickens. That one should be removed from the flock. But most of the time they will get along just fine with each other. They will go their separate way thru the day but they all sleep together in the same coop at night.
Guineas are happiest in flocks. The recommended number is at least 5 or 6. If you have the room and no aggression problems, I would advise keeping all of them. The whites and lavenders should make a very pretty flock.

Thank you for the advice. I will see how they all get along together. I still want to eat one though