Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[sunshineaviarie]

I have 5 guineas and am new to them. They make noise all day and some of the night, pretty funny birds they are. I started ringing a bell every time I fed them and the chickens and now whenever I ring that bell, they all come running. I have a little under 2 acres. So far, no complaints from neighbors about the noise! Because they would have to move, I sure love the guineas. They are getting along with the chickens well too. I have had them about 8 months now. I have been lucky that none of them have jumped the fence which is 4 and 5 feet tall in some areas, I cut their wings before I let them come out of their cage area they grew up in. And about 4 months later I trimmed them again. Maybe that is why they don't try to fly out.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have 5 guineas and am new to them. They make noise all day and some of the night, pretty funny birds they are. I started ringing a bell every time I fed them and the chickens and now whenever I ring that bell, they all come running. I have a little under 2 acres. So far, no complaints from neighbors about the noise! Because they would have to move, I sure love the guineas. They are getting along with the chickens well too. I have had them about 8 months now. I have been lucky that none of them have jumped the fence which is 4 and 5 feet tall in some areas, I cut their wings before I let them come out of their cage area they grew up in. And about 4 months later I trimmed them again. Maybe that is why they don't try to fly out.

That certainly makes a difference! They start to fly very early. I don't clip wings, but mine pretty well stay on the property here. My oldest hen is over 2 years now, and she will let me pick her up, and occasionally still sits on my shoulder.

 

[Fuxzi]

Well today is not a good day just lost my 4 guinea babies and their EE mother due to a flippen raccoon!!!! And I cant find anyone whos selling any even close to me in Wisconsin

 

[The100AcreWood]

I just got 4 keets a few hours ago. Does anyone have any advice? I've done a bit of research prior, naturally. But, advise from someone who had them is always better. They are eating chick starter but then crumbles seem to be too big so we mashed them up with a mortar and pestal which seemed to help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kim Z]

I just got 4 keets a few hours ago. Does anyone have any advice? I've done a bit of research prior, naturally. But, advise from someone who had them is always better. They are eating chick starter but then crumbles seem to be too big so we mashed them up with a mortar and pestal which seemed to help. Thanks in advance!

I run the crumbles through my food processor and use it that way for a week or two until they can handle the bigger pieces. Make sure you have the highest protein feed you can find as they need more than chickens do. Game bird starter usually has the right amount at 24% or so. If you can't find anything with that much, supplement with some crickets or meal worms on a regular basis.
I also put a few drops of poultry vitamins in the water.
If you want them to be comfortable being touched or held, make sure you handle them as much as possible. At least 15 mins twice a day.
Enjoy! They are so busy and fun.

 

[Kim Z]

Well today is not a good day

just lost my 4 guinea babies and their EE mother due to a flippen raccoon!!!! And I cant find anyone whos selling any even close to me in Wisconsin

So sorry! Losing them to predators is so disheartening. I lost several to a mink and one to a hawk last year. Still makes me mad. I hope you find some new babies soon. Check craig's list.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Well today is not a good day

just lost my 4 guinea babies and their EE mother due to a flippen raccoon!!!! And I cant find anyone whos selling any even close to me in Wisconsin

I am in Indiana, so sorry for your loss

post on the BYC buy sell trade.. good luck.

Quote: Keets are really easy! high protein really is key to healthy birds. Liver is a good choice also, chopped fine. Let them climb on your hands, slow movements and talk to them. If they imprint they are less likely to leave. Keets are very timid naturally, so they have to learn you are safe.

 

[sunshineaviarie]

I have found that my Guineas want to be in the area they were raised in, even when we moved their "area" out of my garden to another section of our property and they run around all day, they go right back to roost and hang out where I raised them. So might be good to raise them in the area you want them to hang out in rather than trying to move them later. I love my Guineas.

 

[Tacampbell1973]

Anyone know where I can find some pinto guineas in the Dallas, TX area? I have two pinto cocks right now. I'm looking for hens.

Ok I cant resist when you say pinto cocks....spotted dick? just kidding. I love my guineas and think they are great, but dammit i cant resist a good joke

 

[walshj52]

Noticed this post and was surprised that the guineas attached the mink. Raised older flock for years, then had a night raid on my flock (after St Patty's Day, in 2011) that I night housed in a modified round corn crib that was reinforced with chicken wire. The mink found a whole on the floor line and pulled one neck through before I got out there when I heard the ruckus. Took a shot at one and another had found a second mink rusted whole in the wire and was doing its best to stretch a second guinea through a second hole;(but, I got a nice hand warmer from their attempt! Trying not to waste anything on our farm...)
Now I have a flock of over 25 keets that are still in a small pen at six weeks. I am going to put them in the new barn in a nearly built coop and will start letting half of them into the paddock areas in about another 6 wks to 2 months. Not sure how to only let out half? Hoping that the numbers will make a difference on predators thinking they can get into the flock.
And really hoping the guineas knock out the crawling insects (i.e., ticks) that I am not winning the battle fighting off in other ways.