Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[perchie.girl]

I have another question. We've been thinking it might be strongly in the best interests of the new keets if we buy some adult guineas so that they have experienced adults to learn about life from. We hope for the guineas to be mostly free ranging but will definitely do the thing of grain in the evening. I know that adults and keets have to be sequestered at least 12 weeks before you can hope they'll stick around at your place. Would it be a good idea to have adults too? We didn't know when we ordered the guinea eggs that we'd be able to buy birds locally, so we're doing this a bit backward maybe.

1. fyi, I have 36 guinea eggs in the incubator, with no clue about how many will hatch. If a good idea, how many adults would be a good idea?

2. If it's agreed to be a good idea, what type of separation would be required in the guinea coop/run? I will be using the MamaHeatingPad (MHP) method of brooding the keets, so they'll be out in the coop from day 1 or 2. Should I keep them in a fenced-off brooder just like with chicks for the first 2 weeks, then let the keets have portals/openings in their brooder space to allow them to go in and out of the main coop area on their own? My question assumes someone has knowledge of the MHP method, of course. But the main question is, if I'm sequestering new adults and new keets at the same time, will they blend as a flock ok? Any difference from chickens that would be good to be aware of?

3. And last, How much space should their coop and run have? Does someone have a link to a good discussion on this? As mentioned, we hope that they'll freerange and hopefully naturalize and reproduce on their own. We're trying to start off with a decent number that could help them with critical mass for success. Since we're providing them with a coop, what long-term factors should we be considering in design and placement? oh, fyi, we live out in the country on 29 acres with lots of woods plus a 13-acre meadow/pasture, currently fallow.

Also FYI, I've read the book Gardening with Guineas but the author seems to be so adamantly against free-ranging that I can't learn what I need to know from that book, which is why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your thoughts.

--Victoria

coop space for guineas should be doubled over chickens Even in the coop they will run on the perches.... Yep run... I put my perches up as high as I could get them.... at the time was over six feet up.

Read the same book and it has some good aspects like conditioning the birds to come in in the evening. If you allow them to roost in the trees you will lose them eventually. You have good logic going and instincts in general.... For what its worth that conditioning to come in for a treat or grain is an excellent option for all your poultry. I have had mine fly from the rocks behind my house over my house and into the yard for their treets....

Personally I cant speak to having adults to teach them the ropes... But it makes sense. The lock up period for the Adults I used was two weeks... but then there were NO other guineas in my area. And my adopted adults were all males and about five years old. At the time I had no keets.

I too will be using MHP... or a modification thereof.... since its been about four years since I have had any poultry I will be starting from scratch. My plan is to also raise up Sumatras because I really like them. Sumatras are broody fools... that whole game bird deal. They also have similar qualities as guineas. The roos get along, they are excellent fliers, and they are excellent free rangers. Its important here because of my predator concentration.

once I get that flock establishment they will be suitable for hatching and raising up Guineas because of their natural high active nature. Chicken raised guineas are the best option.

deb

Edited to add. @PeepsCA Is the one I bought my last keets from. shes in Northern CA and has retired from raising Guineas I believe. But one of her strategies for free ranging was to not let them out till the eggs were laid. If a hen makes a nest out in the woods chances are you will both loose her an her male.

 

[R2elk]

Keep us posted.... Thats where I have been planning on starting my flock from.... shipped eggs from Jumbos and some assorted Royal purple, Lavenders, maybe a bronze or two. grand total of about forty going to max out my bator.....

If you buy guinea hatching eggs from Stromberg's or McMurray's, you will be getting the eggs from Ralph Winter's The Guinea Farm. I know that the cost from Stromberg's ends up being the same as from the Guinea Farm because Stromberg's has the shipping cost figured into the egg cost while The Guinea Farm charges shipping in addition to the egg cost.

Good luck.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Interesting.... Off to compare prices....

 

[R2elk]

I have another question. We've been thinking it might be strongly in the best interests of the new keets if we buy some adult guineas so that they have experienced adults to learn about life from. We hope for the guineas to be mostly free ranging but will definitely do the thing of grain in the evening. I know that adults and keets have to be sequestered at least 12 weeks before you can hope they'll stick around at your place. Would it be a good idea to have adults too? We didn't know when we ordered the guinea eggs that we'd be able to buy birds locally, so we're doing this a bit backward maybe.

1. fyi, I have 36 guinea eggs in the incubator, with no clue about how many will hatch. If a good idea, how many adults would be a good idea?

2. If it's agreed to be a good idea, what type of separation would be required in the guinea coop/run? I will be using the MamaHeatingPad (MHP) method of brooding the keets, so they'll be out in the coop from day 1 or 2. Should I keep them in a fenced-off brooder just like with chicks for the first 2 weeks, then let the keets have portals/openings in their brooder space to allow them to go in and out of the main coop area on their own? My question assumes someone has knowledge of the MHP method, of course. But the main question is, if I'm sequestering new adults and new keets at the same time, will they blend as a flock ok? Any difference from chickens that would be good to be aware of?

3. And last, How much space should their coop and run have? Does someone have a link to a good discussion on this? As mentioned, we hope that they'll freerange and hopefully naturalize and reproduce on their own. We're trying to start off with a decent number that could help them with critical mass for success. Since we're providing them with a coop, what long-term factors should we be considering in design and placement? oh, fyi, we live out in the country on 29 acres with lots of woods plus a 13-acre meadow/pasture, currently fallow.

Also FYI, I've read the book Gardening with Guineas but the author seems to be so adamantly against free-ranging that I can't learn what I need to know from that book, which is why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your thoughts.

--Victoria

I have to agree with Ralphie, I would not get adults if you are just starting with keets. My adults tend to not like the introduction of keets that they didn't hatch. They form cliques and tend to ostracize new keets unless they hatched and raised the keets themselves. I added 2 juvenile hens to my flock last summer. They are still being ostracized and picked on by the rest of the flock. However the male guineas are taking time out of ostracizing them to breed them (being the guys that they are) and immediately going back to keeping them away from the rest of the flock.

One thing to remember is that keets are tiny. They can easily walk right through chicken wire like it isn't even there.

Coop space should contain at least 4 sq. ft. of unobstructed floor space for each guinea you intend to have. The taller the coop, the better the guineas will like it. Mine roost in the rafters and do seem to enjoy their huge skylight. I do have roosts installed at different heights that make it easy for them to get up into the rafters. The bigger the run, the better.

I have the obstacle of hatching at altitude but I still would normally get around a 50% hatch from guinea eggs shipped from The Guinea Farm.

There is nothing wrong with free ranging guineas. The problems develop if you don't put them in a secure coop for the night. Guineas left to nest in trees are prime pickings for raccoons and owls. Guinea hens allowed to hide out a nest and set on a nest are at great risk from predators.

Good luck.

 

[perchie.girl]

Just FYI....

Stromberghs charges 24.00 for six eggs.... charges 42.00 for twelve
Guinea farm charges 22.80 for twelve eggs.... shipping is 12.60 so 35.40 for twelve

The difference though between the two is the ordering minimums....
Minimums
strombergs = 6
Guinea farm = 12 Increments of twelve

Havent looked at McMurray yet

deb

 

[R2elk]

Just FYI....

Stromberghs charges 24.00 for six eggs.... charges 42.00 for twelve
Guinea farm charges 22.80 for twelve eggs.... shipping is 12.60 so 35.40 for twelve

The difference though between the two is the ordering minimums....
Minimums
strombergs = 6
Guinea farm = 12 Increments of twelve

Havent looked at McMurray yet

deb

It has been about 5 years since I ordered any eggs so apparently the prices have changed.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
LOL.... Yep I just went to McMurray and they charge 103.68 for 24 eggs (the minimum) and you get no choice on what color or type....

they are simply assorted. I have to go through the whole check out process to verify but the shipping costs on the quick search by zip code is 0.

deb

 

[duluthralphie]

Perchie, I might be able to spare some eggs, BUT I would have to get an import permit for your state.

 

[perchie.girl]

Perchie, I might be able to spare some eggs, BUT I would have to get an import permit for your state.

Really?

seriously I wont be in a position to do anything till I can move home. I just like to keep on top of the latest prices and processes while my hands are tied.

Grandma is priority.... For those who dont know my house is sixty miles away. and I am living with my 99 year old grandmother. Who is thriving. Thats why I only share sketches and stories..... sigh

deb

 

[guineapeeps]

Thats great I love hearing something possitive about the little hoodlums.  

I love your avitar.  I had to click on it to see what the guinea was wearing.  A crown, sunglasses and a pearl necklace.  Was that photo shopped or did she actually wear this?  Halarious.  

That is Pip and she is not really wearing that....it's photoshopped! Although she is really tame (she broke her foot as a keet so is used to being handled a lot), she would probably still peck my eyes out if I tried to put that getup on her! My daughter photoshopped her picture into all sorts of stuff....I have one in a biker outfit, a bikini, and several others. I think my daughter has way too much time on her hands but I got a good laugh out if it too!