Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[PeepsCA]

You can't really rely on Guineas to do anything you want them to do, lol. They may fly out, but then just pace back and forth squawking to get back in. Guineas are notorious for getting stuck behind a fence that they just flew over 5 minutes ago... they instantly go stupid and in their mind the fence suddenly grew to 50 feet tall and they will run themselves to death, pacing back and forth and working themselves into a full blown bird panic attack until either you rescue them or a predator nabs them. Sometimes having a landing board for them to jump up on helps with the flying in/flying out (but I personally shy away from teaching my Guineas that it is ok to fly over any fence in the first place, they stay closer to home and are safe from ground predators within my fenced 10 acres). And more often than not if given the choice to come and go as they please Guineas will choose the trees to roost in instead of the coop. Plus if the Guineas can come and go as they please... so can predators.

 

[furbabymum]

You can't really rely on Guineas to do anything you want them to do, lol. They may fly out, but then just pace back and forth squawking to get back in. Guineas are notorious for getting stuck behind a fence that they just flew over 5 minutes ago... they instantly go stupid and in their mind the fence suddenly grew to 50 feet tall and they will run themselves to death, pacing back and forth and working themselves into a full blown bird panic attack until either you rescue them or a predator nabs them. Sometimes having a landing board for them to jump up on helps with the flying in/flying out (but I personally shy away from teaching my Guineas that it is ok to fly over any fence in the first place, they stay closer to home and are safe from ground predators within my fenced 10 acres). And more often than not if given the choice to come and go as they please Guineas will choose the trees to roost in instead of the coop. Plus if the Guineas can come and go as they please... so can predators.

No problem. I live in WY, we have no trees. lol I realize predators can come and go but as of yet our dogs have killed all who attempted it. <3 my 4 big dogs.

I'll take it all into consideration. I would be getting guineas just as pest control. We've an awful lot of bugs around here.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I let my group of about 20+ guineas out into the big chicken yard and I was scared to death. I clipped their wings first and then released them into the 1 acre chicken yard. They were a little scared at first but once they were out of their pen for a few minutes, they fit in well with the other animals. I was amazed at how well they did. I knew that they would immediately take off into the woods but they didn't. I have to give them an A+ for a job well done. None of them have ran away or flew away. I let them out at 6:00 AM every morning when I open up the chicken coops. In the evening they go back into their pen on their own. Absolutely no problem. I am so happy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MichenerFarm]

Great thread on Guineas! I just brought my first 4 keets home last Thursday. They're wild lil' things- fun to watch!

 

[dog88]

how big are they when they are full grown

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[PeepsCA]

On average Guinea Hens weigh around 3.5 lbs, the males weigh around 4 lbs. Jumbos and French Guinea Fowl are a couple lbs heavier.

 

[cfdf]

I am thinking about getting a few guineas. I have owned chickens for 3 years now and am really liking the idea of guineas. I know guineas prefer to free range but does any of you keep your guineas pinned up all the time? I have a coop and a 10 x 50 run. There is no vegitation in the run due to chickens. Would this work for a few guineas. Also, I live on 2 acres with roads on 3 sides...you all say its hard to keep guineas out of the road....also I have 2 dogs that would probably chase guineas if they free range....Are guineas fast enough to get away from dogs? I would prefer to free range if you all tell me guineas fly fast enough to get away from dogs. Should I get some guineas under these circumstances or just keeping dreaming about them? Your honesty is appreciated.

 

[Kevin565]

I am thinking about getting a few guineas. I have owned chickens for 3 years now and am really liking the idea of guineas. I know guineas prefer to free range but does any of you keep your guineas pinned up all the time? I have a coop and a 10 x 50 run. There is no vegitation in the run due to chickens. Would this work for a few guineas. Also, I live on 2 acres with roads on 3 sides...you all say its hard to keep guineas out of the road....also I have 2 dogs that would probably chase guineas if they free range....Are guineas fast enough to get away from dogs? I would prefer to free range if you all tell me guineas fly fast enough to get away from dogs. Should I get some guineas under these circumstances or just keeping dreaming about them? Your honesty is appreciated.

I raised mine in pens. I think for your situation it could defiantly work if there was plenty of hiding spaces and roosts. Guineas can get very aggressive which is other during breeding season. If you have dogs I would not advise letting your guineas free range in your situation.

 

[FlaDave]

My neighbor influenced me to start raising guinea keets and I have 13 that are about 1/2 grown. He is a vet and yet he has no ability to keep one of his two birddogs from chasing and killing adult keets as well as his roosters and chickens. He has pens but this occurs when he enjoys letting them roam. So I wouldnt trust on that issue. I am building my guineas a larger coop from an A frame based on an old swing set. The floor is half way down resting on the cross bars and I have planks there with a hole for them to walk down the old slide (with bars attached for footing). I use two clear plastic roofing panels to fill in most of the sides and I have one of these sides hinged for easier access for cleaning even though the floor has an added piece of roofing and a way at each end to slide that out for same purpose. The bottom will be wired so that for the next stage of growth they will be able to fly above or below and enjoy the more natural feel of grass / dirt and hay. Hope is that these guineas will free range with the neighbors three survivors and want to return to roost into this structure. His return to his next door home and nest in the trees and so far no owl predators. BTW the tick and chigger population has been markedly diminished and so we are very very pleased with them. Just a bit noisy sometimes. Cars in the road travel about 25 mph but stop for corssings and no road kills todate. We hope the 13 will survive better away from the bird dog who has not been straying over onto our property. Good hobby. I am relying on the chickens who will reach egg laying age aroun November for those delicious brown fresh eggs rather than the guines.

 

[Chicken Girl123]

About the dog-guinea thing:my cousin's dog tried to take on one of my guinea's.Let's just say-the dog didn't get his evening meal.So I wouldn't be too worried about the dogs chasing the chickens.