Stray Guinea

[Terry S]

I have 12 chickens that all get along great, lay great, etc. Our chickens do not free range, in an outdoor pen during the day and coop at night. 2 days ago a stray guinea started hanging around. Not sure if it is male or female. It just stays close to our girls and at night goes into the tree above the pen. I don't know where it came from and it won't go home. What should I do with it? It seems like it wants to go into the pen with our girls. I feel bad for it but I know NOTHING about guinea fowl and not sure if I want to upset the pecking order with allowing this stray in. It is a noisy thing though.

Any suggestions.

 

[red horse ranch]

I have 12 chickens that all get along great, lay great, etc. Our chickens do not free range, in an outdoor pen during the day and coop at night. 2 days ago a stray guinea started hanging around. Not sure if it is male or female. It just stays close to our girls and at night goes into the tree above the pen. I don't know where it came from and it won't go home. What should I do with it? It seems like it wants to go into the pen with our girls. I feel bad for it but I know NOTHING about guinea fowl and not sure if I want to upset the pecking order with allowing this stray in. It is a noisy thing though.

Any suggestions.

Guineas and chickens usually get along very well together. If it was me, I'd probably let in in with my chickens. It sounds to me like it is lost and is looking for a home. And it could probably use a good meal. If it is making a lot of noise like 'goback, goback,goback, it is probably female. A male can't make the 2 syllable sound and isn't usually noisy unless it sees something that alarms it. Guineas eat the same layer mix that my chickens eat and aren't really that much different in the care they need.

 

[Terry S]

The guinea hen went into the coop this morning and has been very quiet all day. She just sat in the window. Not sure if she is sad or just subdued. Is a quiet guinea hen a good thing?

 

[BarbaraNH]

It sounds to me as though the guinea might be a little fearful of the chickens, and I wouldn't doubt that it is missing some guinea friends he or she might have had (and possibly lost). Still, I'm sure it is more comforted by the chatter of your chickens and the feeling of being part of a flock again. Guineas really don't like to be alone. They have a very strong flocking instinct, which is probably why it wanted to get close to your chickens and why it is staying inside the coop. A quiet guinea is not "normal," I don't think, but it might be quiet because it is adjusting to its new surroundings and new flock. It could have some health problems, though, so I would caution letting it get too close to the chickens until you've had a chance to observe it and consider how healthy it is.

 

[Terry S]

Thanks for the info!