Caring for guinea
fowl can be rewarding, especially if you're looking for pest control, eggs, or
even guard birds. Here's a beginner-friendly guide to help you get started:
1. Housing
· Shelter: Guinea fowl need a secure coop or shed at night to protect
them from predators.
· Roosting: Provide high perches—they prefer to roost off the ground.
· Space: At least 2–3
square feet per bird indoors; more if they're confined.
2. Feeding
· Starter Feed: Use high-protein game bird or turkey starter (24–28%) for
keets (baby guineas).
· Adult Feed: After 8 weeks, switch to a grower feed, then layer feed for
hens.
· Foraging: They love to roam and eat ticks, bugs, and seeds—great natural
pest control!
3. Water
· Clean, fresh water should always be available. Use shallow
dishes for keets to prevent drowning.
4. Behavior
· Guinea fowl are social—keep at least 4–6 together.
· They can be noisy and skittish, especially with strangers.
· They may wander, so train them to return to their coop by
feeding them at the same time daily.
5. Health & Maintenance
· Cleanliness: Keep coop clean and dry to prevent disease.
· Protection: Watch for predators like hawks, foxes, and raccoons.
· Parasites: Check for lice or mites; dust baths help them manage these
naturally.
6. Breeding & Eggs
· They lay seasonally (spring to fall) and prefer hidden
nests.
· Eggs are smaller than chicken eggs but rich in flavor.
· Keets need warmth (brooder at ~95°F, reduced weekly) and
careful handling.
Guinea Fowl, Backyard Poultry: Keeping Guinea Fowl
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