Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[Tacampbell1973]

I'm curiest if any one knows what time of day -when do guineas mate? I have 17 now never seen it happen. ///////Also wonder about- the thought of needing one male to one female ratio -as one a friend says they pair off and won't mate out of the pair, also read some similer thoughts on the net?

I have witnessed broad daylight, twilight, morning, noon, etc...what im curious about is what is the zigzag thing about. two males, one will zigzag under the neck of the other and make the weirdest call...it must not be a mating thing as it is always two males. One day I saw the one trip the zig zagger. It was funny...Love my guineas to no end. Where else can you find a goofy curious bird with all American good looks! Ok maybe all African good looks. Either way I love them. Had three females taken clean off the nest this month, but finally hatched a clutch yesterday. Am now brooding 13 of the gorgeous babies as something went wrong. still don't know what but came home to four dead keets and with bite/trample marks...not taking any chances. I brooded their parents inside and I mean to raise these guys too.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Havent been on a lot lately, congrats to all the new guinea owners! Letting my girls brood about 30 eggs, its time. Quasey, my oldest pearl hen, gave me the "please don't take my eggs" look and I caved. My Muscovy hen, and EE hen are both brooding chicks and no losses. Need to let the guineas be mommas too.
As vicious and independent as these 3 girls are, I am confident they will raise and protect the babies, the guinea have their own coop. My geese will not even approach them. I have around 16 incubated and hatched to add next year, so this will be a test for my girls. Am really looking forward to see them hatch the babies and raise them. I have heard the moms aren't the best mothers so its a learning curve for me too I guess..

 

[potagergirl]

Over the past week I had trouble with 2 keets getting out of their tractor in the night. In the morning I would have to put them back in so the chickens would stop pecking at their heads. (the tractor is inside a large corn crib where our chickens live). Anyway, this morning I decided they were 4 weeks old and if they could tolerate the chickens pecking on their heads I would turn the tractor to they could easily get in and out with the door open just a little.
It worked much better then I thought. Before I even finished turning the tractor which I did very slowly they were pushing through the large openings of the top (which is now on the side). They all came out ate as if it were their right and went to one of the dust bath piles. I watched and laughed as all 15 buried in throwing sand and dust all over the place.
Tonight hubby and I went to watch them. We always sit inside the corn crib with the chickens in the evening just to watch. So, the keets were very interesting as they worked on flying lessons. It was like bowling for chickens to get them away from the launch pad area. There are only 13 chickens but the way they acted you would have thought the place was packed, lol. It was so much fun, no adult to teach them but they all seemed to know just what to do.
As the sun moved down they all returned to the tractor for their food and water. I am so very amazed at these wonderful birds.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Over the past week I had trouble with 2 keets getting out of their tractor in the night. In the morning I would have to put them back in so the chickens would stop pecking at their heads. (the tractor is inside a large corn crib where our chickens live). Anyway, this morning I decided they were 4 weeks old and if they could tolerate the chickens pecking on their heads I would turn the tractor to they could easily get in and out with the door open just a little.
It worked much better then I thought. Before I even finished turning the tractor which I did very slowly they were pushing through the large openings of the top (which is now on the side). They all came out ate as if it were their right and went to one of the dust bath piles. I watched and laughed as all 15 buried in throwing sand and dust all over the place.
Tonight hubby and I went to watch them. We always sit inside the corn crib with the chickens in the evening just to watch. So, the keets were very interesting as they worked on flying lessons. It was like bowling for chickens to get them away from the launch pad area. There are only 13 chickens but the way they acted you would have thought the place was packed, lol. It was so much fun, no adult to teach them but they all seemed to know just what to do.
As the sun moved down they all returned to the tractor for their food and water. I am so very amazed at these wonderful birds.

You have done very well with them

Do you have a "call" established yet to bring them in once they free range?

 

[chickengirl987]

Can guineas live with ducks?

 

[lizzybaxter]

Can guineas live with ducks?

I have had my Pekins since December, and raised them with some chicks. The male duck now constantly tries to mate with the 2 hens that he grew up with. It's not a very nice thing either! Long story short (and after a lot of research), it appears that if the ducks aren't raised together (meaning, from the get-go, in the same coop) with the chickens, then they seem to know that they shouldn't mate with them.

I wanted to give you that thought on the ducks because I have ducks, chickens, and guineas that all free range together, and there are no problems whatsoever, except that mentioned above. Something to think about.

 

[MeepBeep]

From my experience (not with ducks but with chickens) guineas pretty muck keep to themselves as they have their own social behaviors and quirks that differ drastically from most other 'poultry'...

That said though guineas are bullies and can get pushy and aggressive if they don't have their space or when they want something... Mine always cut to the front of the line when 'new' food or water is put in the coop or when there are treats, but beyond that they leave my chickens alone, even the bantams... I have noticed the guineas like their own personal space and if a chicken invades that they usually get a nip and a feather yanked by the guinea but the chickens learned fast to just give the guinea it's space... Moral of this is make sure there is enough space in the coop/run so they can do their own thing if you want to keep the peace...

 

[potagergirl]

I don't have the call established I want yet. Right now they know it's time for that white millet at night when I go in the corn crib and call "here chick-here-chick-chick-chick" really loud.
Next month the plan is to take the chickens out and put them in the new hen house being built. The guineas will then be in the crib alone and the tractor will be removed. Once this is
done I will get a cow bell and start training them to the cow bell as I call out to them for their evening treat. I don't plan on letting them out to free range for six or eight weeks. Even then it will only be half of them at a time. I am loving the beautiful color and glad I chose the lavender guineas

I don't think we will have to worry about the guineas and chickens mating. The chickens are 5 weeks older and were already in the crib by time the guineas were in the house in the brooder. Then when we moved them to the corn crib they were in the tractor unable to get out for 2 weeks. Yesterday was the first day I turned the tractor so they would be able to get in and out on their own. Last night we witnessed the leader of the crew. He/she ran into the tractor and suddenly all of them went for it. The guineas have been a delightful surprise to raise pretty much self care. Most complain about how loud they can get and I know mine are a couple weeks from getting their real chatter boxes in but I love the noises they make at each other its like constant chattering.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Can guineas live with ducks?

I can tell you, from sad experience to not house ducks with chickens. Am sure guinea will not be safe either. A drakes "plumbing" is too long and will puncture and kill a chicken. If raised together, the hen will not realize he will kill her, nor will the drake. Young birds don't know. Its up to us to divide the breeds and keep them safe.

 

[Tacampbell1973]

I can tell you, from sad experience to not house ducks with chickens. Am sure guinea will not be safe either. A drakes "plumbing" is too long and will puncture and kill a chicken. If raised together, the hen will not realize he will kill her, nor will the drake. Young birds don't know. Its up to us to divide the breeds and keep them safe.

mmmkkk, I gotta ask....by "plumbing" do you mean to say their"junk"/ Sorry am trhing to understand without being too graphic as I know we have younger members (no pun intended

) just curious.