The Guinea Fowl at My Farm

September 30, 2019

It’s always exciting when baby birds arrive at my Bedford, New York farm - this time six young Guinea fowl given to me by my friend, Ilene. They’re all doing very well eating, drinking, and enjoying all the sights and sounds of their new surroundings.

Guinea fowl are members of the Numididae family. These birds originated in Africa, but are now found all over the world. I’ve raised Guinea fowl for years. They are ground-nesting, seed and insect-eating birds that love ticks, locusts, flies, maggots, snails, and other pesky bugs. They are also wonderful at patrolling the chicken yard - sounding off loud alarms whenever something unusual enters the enclosure.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: My chicken yard is located down near my vegetable garden. Here, I have four coops that house a variety of chickens, geese, and about a dozen Guinea fowl.

: The chicken yard is very large and divided into several sections. And, when the vegetable garden is not in use, all my chickens, geese and Guinea fowl are able to forage and fertilize that space, giving them lots of room to roam.

: This is an adult Guinea fowl. I have about six adults now. One Guinea fowl is the size of a large chicken and weighs about four-pounds full grown.

: Notice, the head and neck area of a Guinea is bare, which helps to regulate temperature. These birds originated in Africa, so they are not too fond of the cold weather, but they are very hardy and can live well in nearly every climate.

: With short, rounded wings and short tails, these birds look oval-shaped. Their beaks are short but curved and very stout.

: And these birds, still without their unique wattles, helmets and white heads, are the newest to join my flock. Baby Guinea fowl are called keets – and even when young, they are very active, very curious, and very fast. They are fully feathered at about six to eight weeks.

: Following them around can be challenging – they move so quickly from one enclosure to another. Guineas are highly social with their own kind; where one goes, they all go. If one gets lost it will call out until the flock comes to find it.

: Here are the keets next to the older Guineas – there is still much growing to do. Most species of Guinea fowl have dark gray or blackish plumage with dense white spots. These helmeted Guinea fowl are the most common and most popular type of domesticated Guinea birds.

: It is very difficult to sex Guinea fowl. The best way to tell males from females is by their cry. Female Guineas will make a two-syllable call that sounds something like “buckwheat, buckwheat”. Males can only make a one-syllable sound similar to “kickkkkk kickkkkk”. The males also have larger gills or wattles.

: Guinea fowl are noisy. I can often hear these loud Guineas all the way from my Winter House.

: Most of the time, Guineas will keep to themselves, but if integrated at a young age, they can live well with other bird species.

: Here they are with some of my chickens. If keeping them together, be sure there is enough room, so the birds don’t become too territorial.

: Guinea fowl are also monogamous and mate for life in the wild.

: These youngsters are still a little nervous around visitors, but they are developing so nicely and love exploring their new surroundings.

: Even when they’re integrated, these Guineas will maintain their own social group within the flock.

: Guinea fowl eat all the time, snacking on insects. They will also eat fresh greens and corn. And always ensure they get lots of fresh water.

: Guineas have very delicate legs. If one needs catching, be sure to use a net to capture the whole bird to prevent its limbs from being broken.

: Wild Guinea fowl are strong flyers. My chicken yard is protected by netting to keep predators out, so all my birds feel safe and secure. This Guinea flutters its wings over a step while moving from one area to another.