Guinea fowl are famous for letting their owner's know when predators are near, when company comes, and are commonly used as insect control. Guinea's are loud, so they may not be a good choice if you live inside city limits (I found this out the hard way a few years back). I bought 2 guinea baby chicks, they grew up and the hen went to the neighbors yard, hid under some rocks and hatched out 19 baby Guinea chicks! My neighbor let me know they were there and I brought them home. There is nothing more disturbing to your ears than 21 Guinea fowl screeching because someone walked past your property. I am laughing now but it was not funny then. So, if you are looking for a quiet Guinea you should get a hen. My Guinea hen is very quiet unless there is a real threat in the chicken coop.
Guinea's are a Chickens Best Friend
The Guinea generally has black and white feathers that look almost like a polka-dot pattern but there are also white guineas and other color variations. Guinea fowl are a very hearty breed that can fly fast and far and are hard to catch during day light hours. Each has their own unique personality with some being more aggresive than others.
Guinea's are loud
Their loud call will alert the owner to possible predators and strangers on the property and can be heard for miles by people and even farther by other birds.
They are well known for their ability to protect chickens, although they have also been known to breed with chickens which we have found out from experience that the offspring of these mixed breeds tend to be quieter than the guinea but just as aggressive when it comes to protecting the brood and if raised with chickens are very protective over the flock.
Guinea Hen-Going Broody
The hen will gather a brood of eggs and go broody easily hatching 15-30 chicks at a time. Eggs are approx. 1 inch in length and usually white or off white colored shell. Guinea fowl like to hide their nests under things. I had one Guinea hen who hid her eggs under some construction materials in my neighbors yard. I thought some predator had gotten my Guinea hen until one day less than a month after she disappeared she came marching out in my neighbors yard with 19 baby chicks! Needless to say it was no easy task to get mother and babies back in my yard.
Insect & Snake Control
Guinea's control deer ticks, wood ticks, grasshoppers, box elder bugs, flies crickets, and all other insects. Their call will discourage rodents. They will kill snakes, and will alert you to anything unusual (1). See How Guinea fowl act with snakes
Guinea's are loud
Their loud call will alert the owner to possible predators and strangers on the property and can be heard for miles by people and even farther by other birds.
They are well known for their ability to protect chickens, although they have also been known to breed with chickens which we have found out from experience that the offspring of these mixed breeds tend to be quieter than the guinea but just as aggressive when it comes to protecting the brood and if raised with chickens are very protective over the flock.
Guinea Hen-Going Broody
The hen will gather a brood of eggs and go broody easily hatching 15-30 chicks at a time. Eggs are approx. 1 inch in length and usually white or off white colored shell. Guinea fowl like to hide their nests under things. I had one Guinea hen who hid her eggs under some construction materials in my neighbors yard. I thought some predator had gotten my Guinea hen until one day less than a month after she disappeared she came marching out in my neighbors yard with 19 baby chicks! Needless to say it was no easy task to get mother and babies back in my yard.
Insect & Snake Control
Guinea's control deer ticks, wood ticks, grasshoppers, box elder bugs, flies crickets, and all other insects. Their call will discourage rodents. They will kill snakes, and will alert you to anything unusual (1). See How Guinea fowl act with snakes
References:
1. Guinea Fowl :: Interesting, Protective, Useful. (Retrieved Sept. 20, 2016). http://www.guineafarm.com/guinea-farm-products/guinea-fowl/
2. Poultry & Guinea fowl at local market in Mi'eso. (2018). Flickr. Retrieved 6 September 2018, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilri/8022890672/in/photolist-eYH6Be-917tjC-ddXpTf-d7Xv13-ejq7tH-qq7gAK-75fVx6-7Bx6DG-915bgu-dfPWQU-dCpv6C-dmJeYj-6dYMQS-RvGi6x-zgzrMj-6dUA3p-6dYGFA-7Kv1W1
1. Guinea Fowl :: Interesting, Protective, Useful. (Retrieved Sept. 20, 2016). http://www.guineafarm.com/guinea-farm-products/guinea-fowl/
2. Poultry & Guinea fowl at local market in Mi'eso. (2018). Flickr. Retrieved 6 September 2018, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilri/8022890672/in/photolist-eYH6Be-917tjC-ddXpTf-d7Xv13-ejq7tH-qq7gAK-75fVx6-7Bx6DG-915bgu-dfPWQU-dCpv6C-dmJeYj-6dYMQS-RvGi6x-zgzrMj-6dUA3p-6dYGFA-7Kv1W1
