Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[MeepBeep]

Guineas should elevate to the top of the pecking order if kept with chickens, but they will generally still keep to themselves if they have the room to do so... If they do not have their own personal space they can be quite aggressive towards chickens...

 

[Papas Chickens]

I just bought these little guys, someone told me they were under a week old, I have them in a big metal brooder with 25 barred rock, 4 white rir and 1 rare exotic that are nine days old. Any way to tell sex at this age?

 

[MeepBeep]

Any way to tell sex at this age?

Not really, the best way that isn't a roll of the dice is to wait until they start squawking the males and females have distinct calls...

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hello! I have 4 guineas. They have been outside about 2.5 weeks now and are almost 2 months old They are sleeping with the hens and share the same run as well. No the hens still charge at them on occasion. This is our first go with guineas and chickens. The guineas seem to keep to themselves and same with the hens. I'm wondering if the guineas will always be the low guys on the totem pole or as they mature will they assert them selves a bit more? I am not sure if it's too early to tell but only one of the group seems to make the "buckwheat" call and the other make the one syllable call. If that is the case -one hen to three cocks will that be an issue later for the hen and for my chicken hens? I'd worry about fighting. We do not have a rooster but considered it. I'd not because I'd worry about male guineas and male chickens together. Thanks!

Also, we'd like to hatch next year and we're curious when they typically mate and come of age for that. We absolutely LOVE them and all of their antics. They are awesome to watch. I'll never be without without a guinea now!

Also, I'm typing on my cell phone. So, pardon in advance for any auto correct or double word posts. My phone has a mind of its own!

Guinea take almost a year to mature. Usually this years babies are ready next spring.
I don't have problems with chicken hens and guinea cocks, or guinea hens around chicken roosters... BUT adult guinea cocks are crazy! I have had several different boys from different lines and breeders. Once they mature, they are fearless. Challenge the geese, (fail!) turkey toms, roosters whatever... It calms down some when breeding season is over. I do house my guinea separately. They start out with the egg flock tho to become familiar with all the different breeds and species we raise. They will pick at the rooster or toms tail nonstop. Its funny to see a 30 pound tom running from a 4 pound guinea! But they can really tear up another bird.
I had just mentioned, they are super easy to hatch or let the hen brood. They tend to not be real good moms tho if not confined. better choice to let a bantam hen hatch them. Guinea are not always that attentive and lose a keet pretty easy.
LOL no worries on grammar here!

 

[MrsDickey]

Hi everyone! I just went to my first poultry auction and came home with 5 3 week old keets! I'm so excited to add these birds to our flock of chicks, to learn all about them, for the tick population to drop, and to figure out what color they are! Right now they're a darkish brown color with the pearling. White bellies, stripes on the heads, orange legs. Glad to be apart of this thread and so happy to finally be a guinea fowl owner!!

 

[MeepBeep]

Right now they're a darkish brown color with the pearling. White bellies, stripes on the heads, orange legs. Glad to be apart of this thread and so happy to finally be a guinea fowl owner!!

http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/colors/

 

[MrsDickey]

Here they are in a holding run until later this evening.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hi everyone! I just went to my first poultry auction and came home with 5 3 week old keets! I'm so excited to add these birds to our flock of chicks, to learn all about them, for the tick population to drop, and to figure out what color they are! Right now they're a darkish brown color with the pearling. White bellies, stripes on the heads, orange legs. Glad to be apart of this thread and so happy to finally be a guinea fowl owner!!

Here they are in a holding run until later this evening.

Lovely pearl guineas! I see a possible hint of chocolate in the feather coloring too.
My birds are from lavenders, chocolates and pearls, and they are identical to my keets.

 

[Papas Chickens]

Lovely pearl guineas! I see a possible hint of chocolate in the feather coloring too.
My birds are from lavenders, chocolates and pearls, and they are identical to my keets.

They look like my keets only bigger lol.

 

[firefly70]

I just recently got four guineas, they are, maybe, 1 to 1.5 months old. I have them in my spare bathroom bathtub, fenced in. How old should they be before I release them into the wild?
Thanks!
Eric