Guinea Fowl For Sale: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking to add these unique birds to your flock? Purchasing guinea fowl for sale can be a rewarding experience, offering natural pest control and distinctive charm to your farm or backyard. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from finding reputable sellers to ensuring your new keets thrive.

Understanding Guinea Fowl Before You Buy

Before you start searching for guinea fowl for sale, it's essential to understand what makes these birds special. Guinea fowl are a domesticated species of bird native to Africa, known for their distinctive "keet" calls and their voracious appetite for insects. They are not chickens, though they are often raised alongside them. Their unique characteristics make them excellent additions to many homesteads, but they also have specific needs.

The Benefits of Raising Guinea Fowl

• Natural Pest Control: Guinea fowl are exceptional at consuming insects, including ticks, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, and other garden pests. This makes them invaluable for organic pest management. Our own observations on the farm have shown a dramatic decrease in tick populations after introducing a flock.
• Alarm System: They are incredibly vigilant and will loudly "keet" at the presence of perceived threats, such as predators or unfamiliar visitors, alerting you to potential dangers.
• Egg Production: While not as prolific as some chicken breeds, guinea fowl lay small, flavorful eggs, often starting in late spring and continuing through the summer. These eggs are prized by many for their rich taste and lower yolk-to-white ratio.
• Unique Personality: Their quirky behavior and distinctive calls add a unique character to any rural setting.

Potential Downsides to Consider

• Noise Level: Guinea fowl are notoriously noisy, especially when startled or communicating with each other. This can be a concern for neighbors.
• Free-Ranging Nature: They are strong flyers and prefer to free-range, often roaming far from their coop. This can make them difficult to contain and protect from predators.
• Broodiness and Mothering: While they can be broody, they are not always the most reliable mothers and may abandon their keets. Raising keets often requires human intervention.
• Aggression: Adult guinea fowl can sometimes be aggressive towards each other and other poultry, particularly during breeding season.

Where to Find Guinea Fowl For Sale

Finding reliable sources for guinea fowl for sale is crucial for acquiring healthy birds. The availability often depends on the season, with spring being the peak time for keets. — Kings Vs. Wild: Strategies & Tips

Reputable Breeders and Hatcheries

• Specialty Poultry Farms: Many farms specialize in raising heritage breeds and often have guinea fowl available. Searching online directories or local agricultural forums can help you find these sources.
• Online Hatcheries: Several large online hatcheries ship live baby birds, including guinea fowl keets. Be sure to check their shipping policies, guarantees, and reviews.
• Local Agricultural Extension Offices: Your local extension office can be an excellent resource for connecting with breeders in your area.

Farmers Markets and Poultry Swaps

• Local Farmers Markets: Sometimes, small-scale farmers will bring young guinea fowl to local farmers' markets.
• Poultry Swaps and Auctions: These events are popular for buying and selling various types of poultry. They can be a great place to find different breeds and meet experienced keepers, but exercising caution and inspecting birds thoroughly is essential.

Considerations When Purchasing

• Age and Health: Look for active, alert keets or adult birds with clear eyes, clean vents, and no signs of respiratory distress or leg problems. For keets, check that they are well-hydrated and have a good feed conversion.
• Breed: Common varieties include the Pearl (most common), Lavender, White, and Pied. Each has slightly different characteristics, though their care needs are similar.
• Quantity: Guinea fowl are flock animals and do best when kept in groups of at least three. Buying more than one is highly recommended for their social well-being.

Raising Guinea Fowl Keets

If you've purchased young guinea fowl, often referred to as keets, they will require special care for the first few weeks of their lives.

Brooder Setup

• Enclosure: A secure, draft-free brooder box is essential. A large plastic tub, stock tank, or a dedicated small coop can work. Ensure it's large enough to accommodate the keets as they grow.
• Heat Source: Keets need supplemental heat for the first 4-8 weeks. A heat lamp or a radiator-style brooder plate set to 95-100°F (35-38°C) for the first week, gradually decreasing by 5°F (3°C) each week, is necessary. Monitor their behavior; if they crowd the heat source, they're too cold; if they spread out and pant, they're too hot.
• Bedding: Use pine shavings or straw as bedding. Avoid cedar, as its oils can be harmful. Keep the bedding clean and dry.
• Feed and Water: Provide a game bird or chick starter feed that is non-medicated and has at least 20-25% protein. Ensure it's formulated for young poultry. Use a chick waterer with small pebbles or marbles to prevent drowning. Water should always be clean and fresh.

Initial Care and Feeding

• First Few Days: Keep keets confined to the brooder area to help them find food and water. Introduce them to their feed and water gently. You can dip their beaks in the water a few times to show them where it is.
• Nutrition: Continue with a high-protein starter feed until they are about 8-10 weeks old. After that, they can transition to a grower feed or a layer feed if they are laying hens.
• Socialization: If you are raising them separately from adult birds, ensure they have adequate space and stimulation. If introducing them to an existing flock, do so gradually and with supervision.

Integrating Adult Guinea Fowl into Your Flock

Introducing adult guinea fowl requires patience and a strategic approach to minimize stress and aggression.

Preparation and Introduction

• Separate Housing: Initially, keep new adult guinea fowl in a separate enclosure adjacent to your existing flock for a quarantine period of 2-4 weeks. This allows them to acclimate to the sights and sounds of your other birds without direct contact. It also helps prevent the spread of any potential diseases.
• Gradual Introduction: Once quarantined, begin supervised introductions in a neutral, open space. Allow them to interact for short periods, gradually increasing the duration. Monitor for bullying or excessive aggression.
• Establish a Roosting Area: Guinea fowl prefer roosting high off the ground. Ensure they have access to suitable roosting bars in their coop or a dedicated safe space where they feel secure.

Free-Ranging Considerations

• Fencing: Guinea fowl are prone to wandering. If you want to keep them within a certain area, secure fencing is essential. They can fly over standard chicken wire, so consider taller fencing or netting.
• Predator Protection: While vigilant, they are still vulnerable to predators like foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey. Providing a secure coop at night is critical. Our experience shows that even with vigilant adults, a secure night shelter is non-negotiable for safety.
• Acclimation to Home Base: Encourage them to return to their coop for roosting by feeding them inside the coop in the evening. This helps establish a "home base" and reduces the chances of them getting lost or caught out at night.

Common Health Issues and Prevention

While generally hardy, guinea fowl can be susceptible to certain health problems. Good husbandry practices are the best defense. — USC Vs. Nebraska: History & Matchup Analysis

External Parasites

• Mites and Lice: These can plague guinea fowl, especially in warm weather. Regular checks of their feathers and skin are recommended. Dust baths are essential for their self-grooming and can help deter parasites. If infestations become severe, consult with a veterinarian about appropriate treatments. Diatomaceous earth (food grade) can be a useful natural deterrent.

Internal Parasites

• Worms: Roundworms and cecal worms can affect guinea fowl. Keeping their living area clean, rotating pastures, and monitoring droppings for signs of parasites can help. Deworming may be necessary based on your veterinarian's advice and fecal tests.

Respiratory Issues

• Brooder Pneumonia: This is a common issue in poorly managed brooders with damp, cold, or drafty conditions. Ensuring a warm, dry, and draft-free brooder is paramount for keets.
• Other Infections: Cleanliness, good ventilation, and avoiding overcrowding can help prevent other bacterial and viral respiratory infections.

Leg and Foot Problems

• Splayed Leg: This condition, often seen in keets, occurs when their legs spread too far apart, preventing them from standing. It can be caused by slippery brooder surfaces or improper leg development. Using non-slip bedding and ensuring adequate space can help prevent it. "Hock locks" or splints can be used to correct splayed leg if caught early.

Frequently Asked Questions About Guinea Fowl

Q1: Are guinea fowl noisy?

A1: Yes, guinea fowl are very vocal. They emit loud "keet-keet-keet" calls, especially when alarmed or communicating. This can be a significant factor to consider, particularly if you have close neighbors.

Q2: Do guinea fowl lay eggs?

A2: Yes, guinea fowl lay small, speckled eggs. They typically begin laying in late spring or early summer and can lay for several months. Their laying habits are often less predictable than chickens.

Q3: Can guinea fowl be kept with chickens?

A3: Generally, yes. Guinea fowl and chickens can coexist, especially if introduced properly and provided with ample space. However, guinea fowl may become territorial or aggressive, and chickens can sometimes bully keets. It's best to observe interactions closely.

Q4: What do guinea fowl eat?

A4: Guinea fowl are primarily foragers. They eat insects, seeds, ticks, slugs, and other small creatures. Their diet should be supplemented with poultry feed, especially for keets and during winter months. — Butler, PA Jobs: Your Guide To Local Employment

Q5: How do I protect guinea fowl from predators?

A5: Protecting guinea fowl involves providing a secure coop for roosting at night, as they are vulnerable to predators like foxes and hawks. Fencing can help contain them, but their strong flight capabilities mean they can escape standard enclosures. Vigilance and a safe roosting space are key.

Q6: At what age can guinea fowl go outside?

A6: Guinea fowl keets can typically go outside after they have developed sufficient feathers to regulate their body temperature and are no longer reliant on a heat lamp, usually around 6-8 weeks old. Gradual introduction and supervision are recommended.

Q7: Are guinea fowl good for pest control?

A7: Absolutely. Guinea fowl are renowned for their effectiveness in controlling insect populations, including ticks and mosquitoes. Their foraging behavior makes them excellent natural pest deterrents for gardens and yards.

Conclusion: Welcoming Guinea Fowl to Your Homestead

Adding guinea fowl to your farm or backyard can be a decision that brings significant benefits, from natural pest management to a unique farmyard ambiance. By understanding their needs, sourcing healthy birds from reputable sellers, and providing proper care, you can ensure a successful and rewarding experience. Remember, thorough research and preparation are key when purchasing guinea fowl for sale. Consider your environment, neighbors, and commitment to providing suitable care before bringing these fascinating birds home. Happy fowl keeping!