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Guinea fowl, any of a family, Numididae (order Galliformes), of African birds that are alternatively placed by some authorities in the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. The family consists of 7–10 species, one of which, Numida meleagris, is widely domesticated for its flesh and as a “watchdog” on farms (it gabbles loudly at the least alarm). The largest and most-colourful species is the Vulturin guinea fowl (Acryllium vulturinum), of Eastern Africa, a long-necked bird with a hackle of long lance-shaped feathers striped black, white, and blue; red eyes; and a vulturelike bare blue head.

 

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

The guinea fowl is descended from the wild species of Africa. The fowls derive their name from Guinea, part of the west coast of Africa. As already mentioned guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) are indigenous to Africa, but they were brought to Europe during middle ages. In Africa, guineas are hunted as game birds; and in England they are sometimes used to stock game preserves. Guineas have been domesticated for many centuries; ancient Greeks and Romans raised them for table birds. To date, guineas are ubiquitous. It is believed that they might be more popular were it not for their harsh and seemingly never-ending cry, and their narrow disposition.

 

Feeding

Keeps should be fed on turkey or game bird feed as these meet their protein requirements. They can be given starter crumbs until 6 weeks, then grower pellets until around 10 weeks, or until slaughter for meat birds. After this the adult birds will be fine on ordinary layers pellets, supplemented with some greens. You may well find that free-ranging guinea fowl forage most of their own food and only need supplemental feeding in the winter.

It’s possible to buy organic and/or soya-free compound feeds, but you can also mix your own feeds using ingredients such as seeds, grains and meal worms. This is particularly worth considering if your birds are foraging a large part of their diet, so you’re not trying to meet all of their nutritional needs. Mixing your own feed can allow you to choose more sustainable ingredients and save money. As with most poultry, guinea fowl should have access to fresh water and grit at all times, and layers should have a source of calcium (e.g. oyster shell).

Guinea Fowl

Guinea fowl protect your hens

If you want to house Guinea Fowl with your hens, they must all be raised together from a young age. If you simply put adult Guinea Fowl in with your chooks, fighting will occur, and your chooks will lose. However, if your farm has room for the Guinea Fowl to roam and live outside the coop and run, they will help protect the coop from predators large and small. Guinea fowl are noisy when they spot a predator such as a wild bird, wild dog, fox or snake. Their sheer noise is generally sufficient to let the predator know they mean business. So if you have hens which free range on the farm or rural backyard, Guinea fowl will alert your chooks to any danger.

These birds will happily roam in the day free grazing and happily roost in trees at night. It is better for them however, to have a place to roost at night safe from predators. If you already have an established chicken coop, then you should have a sperate coop for your Guinea fowl. Initially, keep the coop and run enclosed for a few weeks for them to get used to their new home, after that they will know where to come home to at night.

Guinea Fowl

Guineas Are Crazy Fast

If you need to catch your guineas, you can forget it. They are fast. The only way you’ll most likely be able to catch them is if they are cooped at night. Even then, you get only one shot. If you blow it, you won’t catch them that night. So how do you catch them? You first have to wait until they are cooped. Then you have to grab them by their wings. We actually use a net, so we don’t hurt them. Guinea fowl have really delicate legs. If you grab them by their leg, they’ll whip around on you and actually break it. That is why it is best to grab them by their wings or just use a net and catch the whole bird at once. When you have to catch them be prepared to laugh at yourself. It gets humorous quickly.

 

Guinea Health

Guinea fowl are very low maintenance compared to poultry. Guineas seldom get sick. Also, they rarely succumb to the flock diseases that hens do. So not only do they help keep the ticks, mites and other insects at bay but they don't cost you the earth in vet fees. Win, Win. Overall, Guinea fowl can be very entertaining. You can make an afternoon just watching how ridiculous they can be as they forage around. And, if you can live the noise, keep the neighbours happy and protect your car paint, we think they are a great addition to your backyard flock in a rural area.

Guinea Fowl

Housing

Convincing your guinea fowl to use their house at all may be your first problem! You’re most likely to have success if your provide them with a high place to roost. Depending on numbers this may be high perches in a large shed, or a smaller ‘loft’-type house raised off the ground. The higher the roosting place you provide, the more likely they are to use it. Guineas will fly vertically upwards onto perches, and you can place intermediate perches lower down to enable them to reach the high ones. Other than this their house needs to be dry and draught-proof. It should also have a wide entrance, or multiple entrances, otherwise submissive guineas may be reluctant to enter and will try to roost elsewhere. Guineas don’t require nest boxes – they’d rather hide their eggs in the dense undergrowth for you to hunt for!


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Reference:

https://www.britannica.com/animal/guinea-fowl

https://www.lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/guinea-fowl/

https://morningchores.com/about-guinea-fowl/

https://www.dineachook.com.au/blog/why-guinea-fowl-are-the-best-pest-control/

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