Guinea Fowl
The myth that all guineas will kill snakes is false ! They do sound an alarm when they see someone or anything out of the norm that is a fact.
(Note: I have been emailed by a Guinea Hen owner who has witnessed 3 of his hens kill a snake.)
Guineas talk about everything from "how was your day" to "looky, looky I ate the fat bug", and also, "it’s bed time, so where are we going to the roost?"
To some of your neighbors this may be annoying!
Guineas do best as free range birds. That is so they can help get rid of all the little bugs and pests that keep bugging you, and your neighbors. Yes they wander around when loose. The Guinea is the closest we have to having a wild fowl kept for our use. They think that they are still wild, so be prepared!
Guineas also fly very well. When laying their eggs they like to really hide the nest, not only from predators, but also their owners. Guinnea hens make terrible setters (the ones I had anyway) so it is best to gather the eggs from the found nest.
Gather the eggs, but leave at least 4 in the nest. (mark these so you’ll know which is which) to hatch under a broody hen or in an incubator, if you want keets (babies). The guineas might return to the same nest, and continue to lay.
The eggs are fine to eat too, so you may want the eggs for the table, and not for hatching.
Those guineas that can’t be free ranged need a higher protein feed to compensate for the bugs they are not getting. A turkey ration of 20% protein is about right.
If you have to permanently pen your male guinea, make sure there isn’t a rooster in with him. He will put the run to that rooster, keeping him off food, or water until that rooster dies. This is especially true during breeding season!
The keets (baby guineas) are cute little things. But they can not stand a damp home. The Keets are best raised in a brooder for a full 6 weeks before being turned in a pen. Putting them in a pen will teach them where home is, and they might not roost over the friends new car.
Don’t rush this part of their training.
If you buy adults birds there may be a problem with some of the Guineas never learning to return to their coop.
Don’t let this personal text sway you into not getting any Guinea Fowl. They are fantastic birds. If I had the room, could stand the noise, I’d have some again. This is a personal preference, yours may be different.
"Differences are what keeps the world turning! "
"This is a subject that I know some of the basics, so bare with me here. If you or someone you know, has knowledge beyond mine, please feel free to submit an article to be posted here, Thank you......"email
Text compiled and written by Rosa Lowe
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