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Farming Friends Forum » Guinea Fowl

1. Dusty
   Member

   I have had a flock of over 20 guinea fowl for the last two years and they normally roost high in a very large willow tree. However they are clearly finding this extreme cold very testing and several have disappeard, I suspect probably dying because of the cold. I think I should get a hut and try to encourage them to spend winter nights under cover. Next year when I hatch new keets I will ensure that they regard a hut as home. I would welcome advice on the best size of hut and whether it should be freestanding or in a run. Thanks

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. yanky
   Member

   Hi Dusty how lovely to have so many guineas. I have just two & they are challenging!!
   Mine are in just a wooden hut which has a run with a roof. It's big enough so that if I go away for a few days I can leave the inner door open & they can get about safely but go in themselves at night'
   Good luck
   Yan.

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. Dusty
   Member

   Hi Yanky

   Thank you, that's helpful. Would you mind telling me roughly the dimensions of your hut and run, though mine will obviously have to be bigger.
   Dusty

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. yanky
   Member

   Hi Dusty, its actually just a 4'x6' cheap B & Q hut with a perch inside which sits outside the pen & has a small tunnel running from it into the pen. That has a drop door on it which I shut at night. The actual pen is about 10'x14'x6'H. I also have a perch in there for them.
   At one stage it housed 5 guineas so a bigger hut of that ilk would possibly be ok.
   Hope thats helpful
   Yan.

   Posted 2 years ago #

5. Dusty
   Member

   Thank you very much Yanky, I shall work on that.
   Dusty

   Posted 2 years ago #

6. Rhonda
   Member

   I have had a whole flock of guinea's over the years, but the dogs, coyotes have gotten them. They use to roost in our tree. I have one left and she has learned my voice over the years and comes when I call her. Her name is "Miss Guinea". We have a few cats around and I believe she is afraid they'll kill her. She is a free roaming bird all her life. I never kept her in a coop. She is extremely smart. We have been having snow and very cold temps lately and I am worried about her. I was wondering if I could catch her and if I did, where should I put her to keep her safe but not where she is all alone. I've gotten so attached to her and want to help her. Thank you

   Posted 2 years ago #

7. Rhonda
   Member

   Also, how do I catch her? I read somewhere they can't see at night. I am afraid she is going to freeze in the cold weather. We do have a shop where she use to roost,but cats would get in there. I just can't believe she has lived over 10 years being all alone.

   Posted 2 years ago #

8. yanky
   Member

   Aw Rhonda poor wee soul! You would wonder that she might be lonely but don't think at 10 she would take kindly to a friend! I'm sure Sara will have some ideas. The one thing I would say is though I don't think a cat will bother with a guinea-they don't here but I could be wrong. At night they go very quiet & that is possibly the best time to get her. I use a big salmon net! What about a big wooden crate with straw that you could shut up at night & which she could get used to or a dog kennel??
   Good luck
   Yan.

   Posted 2 years ago #

9. Rhonda
   Member

   Thanks Yanky,
   Dog kennel sounds like it could work. So, you don't think she is lonely? I guess the roadrunners around here keep her company. Thanks again.

   Posted 2 years ago #

10. admin
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Hi Dusty,
    Welcome to the farmingfriends forum. I keep a flock of 16 guinea fowl in a large barn that used to house pigs. They free range during the day and then go into the hut mid afternoon, early evening depending on time of year, height of crops in fields for fox coverage and fox activities in the area!
    The guinea fowl need somewhere to perch in the hut and my hit is big enough for them to have food and water in there as well. they don't really make too much mess with this. They also like to dust bath and my hut is on soil so they can dust bath in their barn as well. I have an internal wire door, so that if I am not able to let them out they are safe in their hut and I can leave the outer door open for them to get extra light and fresh air.
    The guinea fowl can be trained to go into their hut at night easily.
    Kind regards
    sara @ farmingfriends

    Hi Ronda,
    Welcome to the farmingfriends forum.
    You asked if your guinea fowl will be lonely. Does your guinea fowl call out alot if so this may indicate that she is calling for a mate. Guinea fowl tend to pair up and then stay together for life which is lovely to see. Do you know the gender of your guinea fowl, if so maybe you could get her a mate and train them to go into a hut at night if you wish.
    Kind regards
    sara @ farmingfriends

    http://www.farmingfriends.com
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    Posted 2 years ago #

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