Weatherizing
Weatherizing for your Flock Guinea fowl flocks are successfully kept in nearly every climate in every part of the world, except Polar. They evolved in the Semiarid regions of Africa, though, so they are best suited for that type of weather. With some planning, protection, and assistance from us, however, they can flourish in most […]
Coop Flooring and Bedding
Now that you’ve got your coop design figured out, you need to consider what you’re going to use for the coop flooring and bedding. In nature, guineas glide down out of the trees, ending in a soft, running landing. They do not jump down out of the trees. Few of us have the space or […]
Coop Elements
Keeping in mind the idea that “guineas are not chickens,” the coop design that will appeal to guinea fowl is different from coops designed to appeal to chickens. This doesn’t mean that you can’t house chickens and guineas together. Both are tolerant of a range of coop designs, and compromises can be made to appeal […]
Leg Problems in Keets
With incubator- hatched or purchased keets, there are a few different types of foot and leg issues that can present themselves. Curled Toes Within a few hours of emerging from their shell, keets normally start to gain their feet and walk. Occasionally, and especially in keets who hatch later than the other keets in the […]
Why Are the Guineas Hanging Out on My Deck
One of the common questions we get from new guinea-keepers is “How do I get my guineas to stop spending all day on my deck?” Your guineas hang out on your deck for the same reasons you do: It’s a great place to spend time! There are perches (deck rails, to you), a nice, big […]
How to Integrate New Birds Into Your Flock
Sooner or later, you’re going to want more birds. Whether you’ve decided to expand your guinea flock, or lost some birds to old age or predators, or you’ve decided to branch out into other kinds of poultry, or a guinea hen surprises you by showing up with keets in tow – at some point, you’re […]
Nesting and Hatching
On the nest, the sitting guinea hen will flare her wings, fluff out as big as she can make herself, thrust her beak forward, ready to strike out, and hiss. In the nest, unhatched chicks communicate with clicking sounds or vibrations to coordinate development and hatching. The mother makes quiet, low sounds to communicate with […]
Training Your Guineas to Go Into the Coop at Night
It is important to train your guineas, from an early age, to be herded, and to go into the coop every night. Going into the coop is necessary for their protection: Guineas are just not equipped to be able to defend themselves against the kinds of nighttime predators that they will encounter in most parts […]
Starting with Keets
Your first time with guinea keets? Here is some helpful information about their care. When guinea fowl keets first hatch they are tired and will sleep a lot as most babies do. If you hatched the keets yourself, leave them in the incubator for at least 24 hours (up to 48 hours). They need to […]
Guineas Are Not Chickens!
Helmeted Guineafowl Chicken Many first-time guinea-keepers find guinea fowl to be frustrating, confusing, even dumb. Often, their frustration is expressed in comparisons with chickens: My guineas won’t go in the coop at night, or when it rains (like my chickens do). They don’t use the nice nesting boxes like my chickens do – they lay […]
