Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[guineapeeps]

I would love to see her in the other outfits if it's not to much trouble.  Can you post them?  

I will download/post them today. It's good to see that someone else has my wierd sense of humor!

 

[harley587]

I will download/post them today. It's good to see that someone else has my wierd sense of humor!

No worries on your sense of humor... I think this guinea group has the best sense of humor on the whole site. Then again, I'm partial!!

 

[Starseed]

From what I have always read on forums, mama guineas are terrible mothers. They will lay them and just be done. I'm not sure if many will even sit on them the necessary time to get to the hatching part and maybe that's why so many people incubate them? That being said, I just had a mama guinea lay 24 eggs three weeks ago and two days ago she hatched 18 keets, and I will say she is the best mother I've ever seen and could have hoped for. When all the babies weren't hatched yet, she made sure the ones she had already were tucked into her and she was always checking on them. (Also, our four males surrounded her on guard making sure she and the babies were safe. The 4 boys got along absolutely fine with the keets and the mama guinea actually would call for them if they weren't next to her!) She finished the hatching the next day and walked through the yard with 18 little ones following behind like little ducks. We showed them their run and she brought them all in there and stayed there with them and showed them to peck for food and she also showed them how to drink out of their own baby waterer. (We did also dip each one's beak just to be sure, but we saw her showing them later on). She didn't lose one keet. And then when it started raining she opened her wings and they all ran too her and under her wings and body and she plopped right down and you couldn't even see one! I know this isn't common guinea mother behavior but maybe because people don't give the mama guinea a chance to actually try to be mothers? I'm not sure. Good luck!

This is the post I was trying to reply to My guineas have been great mothers so far.
(Reading through this thread is quite a project lol but so far, the most informative place on the internet for learning about guineas!)

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
you havent seen my horse photoshopped with candy canes and a santa hat......

the guinea pix are awesomely cute.

 

[harley587]

This is the post I was trying to reply to My guineas have been great mothers so far.
(Reading through this thread is quite a project lol but so far, the most informative place on the internet for learning about guineas!)

I'm glad we're able to provide both information and entertainment! Just remember, if you have any questions, ask - duluthralphie knows a lot!

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Actually it is common Guinea Behavior. As I have said before this is wild behavior. so many people expect Guineas to behave like chickens.... after all they do some similar behaviors..... but they are not. They pair off with a mate for the season and those males that are left out form a bachelor flock.

They lay their eggs in a scrape amongst rocks and brush for camoflage... Males do guard duty... and the flock combines to help raise the Keets. I suspect as we influence them by breeding for color and size we have changed their natural instincts some what.

so breeding for personality can change color and visa versa. National Geographic did an article on it I dont know how many aeons ago with regard to Fox farming.

So in the long run Guineas can and will raise up their keets... in an environment that is similar to their wild roots they can succeed.. But there are far too many other factors that can cause failure across the US. Climate, predator load and poultry population...

Here in Southern California its Dry and Hot.... and yep weve had several 90-100 degree Days this month alone. Love love love the heat... but I am a sick and twisted desert rat

But even here its too cold for my absolute favorite

Vulterine Guinea Fowl

deb

 

[Starseed]

Man, I wish I could enjoy this heat! lol

I love love LOVE vulturine guinea fowl. They are just drop dead gorgeous. Is 100 degree weather really not hot enough for them?

 

[cabinchicky]

From what I have always read on forums, mama guineas are terrible mothers. They will lay them and just be done. I'm not sure if many will even sit on them the necessary time to get to the hatching part and maybe that's why so many people incubate them? That being said, I just had a mama guinea lay 24 eggs three weeks ago and two days ago she hatched 18 keets, and I will say she is the best mother I've ever seen and could have hoped for. When all the babies weren't hatched yet, she made sure the ones she had already were tucked into her and she was always checking on them. (Also, our four males surrounded her on guard making sure she and the babies were safe. The 4 boys got along absolutely fine with the keets and the mama guinea actually would call for them if they weren't next to her!) She finished the hatching the next day and walked through the yard with 18 little ones following behind like little ducks. We showed them their run and she brought them all in there and stayed there with them and showed them to peck for food and she also showed them how to drink out of their own baby waterer. (We did also dip each one's beak just to be sure, but we saw her showing them later on). She didn't lose one keet. And then when it started raining she opened her wings and they all ran too her and under her wings and body and she plopped right down and you couldn't even see one! I know this isn't common guinea mother behavior but maybe because people don't give the mama guinea a chance to actually try to be mothers? I'm not sure. Good luck!

This is the post I was trying to reply to My guineas have been great mothers so far. (Reading through this thread is quite a project lol but so far, the most informative place on the internet for learning about guineas!)

Actually it is common Guinea Behavior. As I have said before this is wild behavior. so many people expect Guineas to behave like chickens.... after all they do some similar behaviors..... but they are not. They pair off with a mate for the season and those males that are left out form a bachelor flock. They lay their eggs in a scrape amongst rocks and brush for camoflage... Males do guard duty... and the flock combines to help raise the Keets. I suspect as we influence them by breeding for color and size we have changed their natural instincts some what. so breeding for personality can change color and visa versa. National Geographic did an article on it I dont know how many aeons ago with regard to Fox farming. So in the long run Guineas can and will raise up their keets... in an environment that is similar to their wild roots they can succeed.. But there are far too many other factors that can cause failure across the US. Climate, predator load and poultry population... Here in Southern California its Dry and Hot.... and yep weve had several 90-100 degree Days this month alone. Love love love the heat... but I am a sick and twisted desert rat But even here its too cold for my absolute favorite Vulterine Guinea Fowl deb

WOW STUNNING COLORS!But I am in Ohio, so none of them for me.Have enough problems now with my son asking me to get rid of the 2 Pearls I have now. They still are scared to leave the run and coop. Big babies.

 

[Serenade1]

Hatched my first Guinea Keet! Now what color is it?

 

[Starseed]

How precious!!! Looks like a lavender. Congrats!