Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[Chaneys Ranch]

It is sad to say but I have seen first hand over the last two days what guineas will do to chickens.
Hubby and I have determined that ten out of our 15 guineas have taken to attacking our cochin hens because they are docile and
run when confronted. Where as the Polish crested jump and react as if they are going to fight.
Today alone I saw the guineas go after three different cochin hens which are a month older then the guineas. The last one I had
to stop because they had the poor girl in the brush with all guineas continuing to attack her. I really think if I had not stopped them
they might have killed her. In the end she ended up with a lot of broken feathers but as cochin go they are heavily feathered thank
goodness.
I dearly enjoyed my guineas up until yesterday when they lit after the smallest cochin female. I became suspicious and with todays
events we have decided the guineas will not remain with us. It's sad to know a perfectly wonderful animal can change so quickly.
The chickens are my babies though I will do anything to keep them safe. Thus tomorrow 15 lavender guineas will be taken to the
butcher.
The day will be sad, after all I have raised the guineas from a day old. They eat millet out of our hands and every day they come to
the porch to greet me when I walk outside. I'll miss them but I will know my chickens are safer without them here.

This was my first experience with guineas and it will probably be a long time if ever for me to decide if I will try again. Maybe I had to
many, maybe free range was not the best idea, a lot of maybes are going through my head. The one thing I do know is that I would
never discourage anyone from trying to raise guineas. Like I said they are wonderful animals and have always been good to us. Maybe
someone else will have better luck with guineas.

I am so sorry to read this but can agree on several things you have mentioned. One or 2 are usually ok to flock with other breeds. Come mating season, and after that point, we have to separate. The cocks do not like roosters and will even challenge my tom turkeys. I still have 2 years of hatches. and my adults We do not plan t go past 30 guinea here.

 

[WycChickenguy]

We have been raising guineas for about three years. In this time span we haven't really lost many. Right now we have some keets in a brooder pen that are about 3 months old. Over the last four days we have had three die for unknown reasons. There has been no evidence of sickness or any markings on the bodies. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment as any info will be appreciated.

 

[potagergirl]

On a happier note about the guineas.
I had called to arrange for processing but they could not take them until this Saturday.
In the mean time someone who has been looking to buy grown guineas has contacted hubby.
By the weekend the guineas will be rehomed on a larger farm. They plan on the guineas living in the trees
away from their chickens they keep cooped instead of free ranging.
I think this will work better for us and the guineas.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

On a happier note about the guineas.
I had called to arrange for processing but they could not take them until this Saturday.
In the mean time someone who has been looking to buy grown guineas has contacted hubby.
By the weekend the guineas will be rehomed on a larger farm. They plan on the guineas living in the trees
away from their chickens they keep cooped instead of free ranging.
I think this will work better for us and the guineas.

oh thats win/win situation for all.so good to hear it!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

We have been raising guineas for about three years. In this time span we haven't really lost many. Right now we have some keets in a brooder pen that are about 3 months old. Over the last four days we have had three die for unknown reasons. There has been no evidence of sickness or any markings on the bodies. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment as any info will be appreciated.

That tells me they have found something poisonous, start looking at what plants are within 5 miles. I know thats a lot if you own a small property. I had devistating issues with japnese yew bushes last year, on my land. They are now all removed. Lost a cow due to the bushes, its very poisonous. Look at all the vegetation you have and see if anything is poison to your birds.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

My apologies if this is already answered somewhere in the thread; I've read the first 17 pages and now I'm out of time!
Situation: I have three guinea hens - definitely all hens, the remnants of a contract hatch in late May. I kept them because they were cute, they supposedly eat ticks and function as an alarm system. They're completely free range, along with the turkeys, (and the hens & capons in daylight hours). They don't bother the chickens, and roost near the turkeys at night (currently in an open stall of the barn) They've never gone near the road, and I actually enjoy them.
Sounds good... except for the sound! These girls NEVER shut up. During daylight hours, they follow me everywhere, honking constantly. If I'm indoors for more than an hour, they line up on the porch and start the racket - it's driving my husband nuts and starting to annoy even me. Not the 'alarm; call; this is the 2-note 'I'm a girl guinea' call, and it goes on for literally hours on end.
SO! Here's my question: Would getting a male quiet them down any? And, since I read someone else's post saying they 'pair up', do I actually need 3 males? I have to do something about the sound level soon, husband makes such horrible noises...

. I've agreed to sell them if I can't find a way to settle them down.

 

[BarbaraNH]

Most guinea "hens" do sing out for the first year or so, but eventually they usually quiet down once they are into the egg-laying phase of their lives. You don't need to get a male for each hen. One male would be very happy with three hens, but he may choose one favorite and not spend a lot of time with the other two. That might cause those second-choice hens to talk up a storm trying to get his attention. LOL If you get two or three males, they would probably fight over the hens. There is no easy solution to your problem. Some people would tell you to get a dozen more guineas. Larger flocks seem to behave better than smaller ones. If I were you, I think I'd try getting a male to keep them company and then hope that they quiet down as they get a little older. I hope you can figure out a way to keep them, especially since you do like them. They will most definitely quiet down as they age, but it might take a year or more before you notice a difference.

 

[leslea]

My apologies if this is already answered somewhere in the thread; I've read the first 17 pages and now I'm out of time!
Situation: I have three guinea hens - definitely all hens, the remnants of a contract hatch in late May. I kept them because they were cute, they supposedly eat ticks and function as an alarm system. They're completely free range, along with the turkeys, (and the hens & capons in daylight hours). They don't bother the chickens, and roost near the turkeys at night (currently in an open stall of the barn) They've never gone near the road, and I actually enjoy them.
Sounds good... except for the sound! These girls NEVER shut up. During daylight hours, they follow me everywhere, honking constantly. If I'm indoors for more than an hour, they line up on the porch and start the racket - it's driving my husband nuts and starting to annoy even me. Not the 'alarm; call; this is the 2-note 'I'm a girl guinea' call, and it goes on for literally hours on end.
SO! Here's my question: Would getting a male quiet them down any? And, since I read someone else's post saying they 'pair up', do I actually need 3 males? I have to do something about the sound level soon, husband makes such horrible noises...

. I've agreed to sell them if I can't find a way to settle them down.

My two are only a few weeks older than yours. One M, one F. They are pretty quiet. They think they are chickens, I think.

They do line up on the retaining wall outside my back door and sing to me at least once a day, but they don't get treats until it is time to be cooped, so normally the singing goes away pretty quickly.

You said they are following you around. Are you feeding them millet when this is going on?

I could see mine protesting for millet if they weren't trained that the coop means treats.

PS Your post really made me chuckle...loved the laundry list of how good your guineas are. I could tell you had read the whole thread.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

lol

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My apologies if this is already answered somewhere in the thread; I've read the first 17 pages and now I'm out of time!
Situation: I have three guinea hens - definitely all hens, the remnants of a contract hatch in late May. I kept them because they were cute, they supposedly eat ticks and function as an alarm system. They're completely free range, along with the turkeys, (and the hens & capons in daylight hours). They don't bother the chickens, and roost near the turkeys at night (currently in an open stall of the barn) They've never gone near the road, and I actually enjoy them.
Sounds good... except for the sound! These girls NEVER shut up. During daylight hours, they follow me everywhere, honking constantly. If I'm indoors for more than an hour, they line up on the porch and start the racket - it's driving my husband nuts and starting to annoy even me. Not the 'alarm; call; this is the 2-note 'I'm a girl guinea' call, and it goes on for literally hours on end.
SO! Here's my question: Would getting a male quiet them down any? And, since I read someone else's post saying they 'pair up', do I actually need 3 males? I have to do something about the sound level soon, husband makes such horrible noises...

. I've agreed to sell them if I can't find a way to settle them down.

I have found my guinea pair up and stay with that same mate every year, so you would need as many males. Honestly, mine quieted down a LOT after they were a year old. Now they only alert if something is out of place. My babies this year when the leaves fell, shrieked all day like the sky was falling

They do get quieter as they mature.