Stray Guinea Joins Our Chicken Flock

[High Plains Hens]

We have a RIR flock (10 hens, 1 roo) that free ranges within our 1-2 acre, unfenced, property.

Yesterday, a random guinea started foraging with them. The chickens barely acknowledged it, so I just let the guinea hang out with the flock. I figured it would go back home before night. But, when I went to close the coop for the night, the guinea was perched on the roost in the middle of all the chickens. Again, they seemed to be accepting of their new friend. So, I let it stay. Now on day 2, the guinea is still hanging out with our flock.

What should I do?! Just allow the stray Guinea to stay? As long as it doesn’t bother the flock, I’m okay with it. There are lots of farms around; should I look for it’s home?

Has anyone else had a stray guinea show up randomly and take up residence with chickens? Are there any concerns I need to be aware of? Should I remove it? The chickens are priority, so if the guinea is a threat to them in anyway I won’t allow it to stay.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

I included some photos. P.S. They are beginning to molt, so don’t mind their patchy, pale feathers ;-)

 

[Henry&Friends]

I would let it be, if it wants to go back home it’ll go back home. They eat the same stuff as chickens (I have 3 guineas with 15 birds.) so feed shouldn’t be an issue. They scream all the time, so be ready for that

 

[High Plains Hens]

Thank you! So far, the Guinea has been kind of quiet just making sounds like the hens “egg song.” But our hens are fairly loud and vocal anyway, so it’s hard to tell who’s talking unless I’m watching. I think it’s a female bc it’s calls are two syallable. I’m curious if it will lay in the nest boxes? It seems to be following the flock around like a lost puppy...

 

[cmfarm]

It should be fine to leave with your chickens. If it belongs somewhere it just may to decide to go home after a while. There is an advantage to having it there, they are great at spotting and alarming of predators, so it could be beneficial to have around.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I would check it for lice before deciding anything. If it has lice, kick it out or treat it. If it is love free, I would then figure out of it is a bit of girl. If it is a boy, I would allow it, but it won't be aloud to eat chicken food. If it is a girl, welcome new friend!

 

[High Plains Hens]

Pretty sure it laid this in the nesting box...it’s speckled and smaller than our RIR eggs. Guinea seems to be friendly and healthy. It loves the DE dust bath so I’m not worried about lice. Thanks for the feedback! I’ll keep you posted.

 

[R2elk]

Pretty sure it laid this in the nesting box...it’s speckled and smaller than our RIR eggs. Guinea seems to be friendly and healthy. It loves the DE dust bath so I’m not worried about lice. Thanks for the feedback! I’ll keep you posted.

Nope, neither one is a guinea egg. Guinea eggs are pointed on one end. Mature guinea hens lay eggs that are approximately 2" long and 1 3/8" in diameter at the wide end.
Guinea eggs

 

[Dmontgomery]

We had the same thing happen here a couple years ago. A stray guinea hen showed up in our yard one day and moved right in with all the other chickens! There is a family about a mile away with a guinea flock, so we assumed she came from there. She was extremely well behaved and never caused any trouble with the chickens.
I hope you keep her and it all works out.

 

[High Plains Hens]

Update... the guinea disappeared after a week. I guess it decided to go back home? I was definitely incorrect with the egg post (let my imagination run wild!), because I’ve found speckled eggs in the nest boxes since it left. Thank you for the input!!!

 

[MJ No Chickens]

I do not have any chickens, but a stray guinea hen has been starying in our yard for almost 2 weeks. No neighbors claim her... no one knows of any guineas in the area. 2 neighbors have chickens, but they are not free ranging. She seems pretty happy to be here. The only negative is she is pooping on our deck. We can live with that. I have found a lady who has 2 elderly guineas, she's willing to take her in. I have no bird skills in catching and transporting hens. Advice please