Raising Guinea Fowl: Benefits, Behavior, What to Expect
Guinea fowl are loud, wild, and a little chaotic—but after raising guinea fowl for over three years on our Tennessee homestead, I can confidently say they’re one of the most effective (and entertaining) tools we have for pest control. These active birds are relentless when it comes to hunting insect pests like ticks, snakes, spiders, and even small rodents. If you’re considering raising guinea fowl, there are definitely some quirks to be aware of, but they might just be the hardworking flock members you didn’t know you needed.
I grew up visiting my grandparents’ farm, where they had everything from ducks and chickens to emus and ostriches. But it was the guinea fowl that stood out most. They strutted around the property with their wild eyes and constant chatter. Fast forward a couple decades, and now I’m raising them myself. And let me tell you—they’re still just as wild.
Should You Raise Guinea Fowl on Your Homestead?
Guinea fowl can be an incredible asset to any homestead—but they’re not for everyone. After raising a flock of guinea fowl for years, I’ve learned they’re equal parts helpful and hard-headed. They’re fantastic for pest control, surprisingly good watchdogs (think natural alarm system), and can help protect your flock of chickens from predators. But they also come with quirks: they’re loud, a little wild, and not exactly best friends with humans.
Before adding a couple of guinea fowl to your backyard, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons. They aren’t cuddly. They don’t like being held. And they don’t exactly respect fences. But they’ve earned their place in our homestead and help it run smoother every single day.
Why Guinea Fowl Are Great for Pest Control
Guinea fowl are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter—but it’s their taste for bugs and insect pests that makes them so valuable on a homestead. Free-range guinea fowl will actively hunt down ticks, grasshoppers, spiders, fleas, small snakes, and even rodents. I’ve literally watched ours take out a toad without hesitation—they’re relentless. Their constant movement and scratching behavior expose hidden pests that other chicken-like birds often miss.
And while we try to do things as naturally as possible, Tennessee bugs can be downright intimidating. The first year on our homestead we had to bring out the chemicals to knock things back, but since raising guinea fowl, we’ve scaled way down. They’ve become our primary pest control team.
Guinea Fowl: A Natural Solution for Ticks
If your yard feels like a breeding ground for ticks—ours did last year when we moved in—raising guinea fowl has been the best way to manage them naturally. I used to walk the property and come back with a tick every single time (a hidden talent I could’ve lived without). But now, thanks to our guinea flock, I can wander the yard, stroll through the pastures, and even step into the edge of the surrounding woods without a second thought. We went from pulling off ticks daily to only finding a handful all year—so long as we stay within the area the guineas patrol.
It didn’t happen overnight. We noticed a small improvement that first year, but it was really the second spring—and every year since—when the guineas made their full impact. Their constant foraging keeps the tick population in check long-term. You’ll still get a tick now and then if you wander far enough, but our guinea patrol area is virtually bug-free.
How Many Guinea Fowl Should You Have?
Guineas aren’t solo animals—they’re pack animals by nature. They stick together, communicate constantly using two-syllable calls, and rely on numbers for safety. A small group simply won’t be as effective at patrolling for insect pests or spotting large snakes or predators.
It’s best to start with a large flock—around 15 birds. Some may not make it (thanks to predators… or their own questionable decision-making skills). Honestly, guineas aren’t known for their brains. Someone once told me guineas actively look for ways to die—and after raising them, I believe it.
But when they work as a group, they’re surprisingly effective at running off predators by ganging up and making an absolute racket. It’s noisy, chaotic, and weirdly impressive.
How to Train Guinea Fowl to Stay on Your Property
Guinea fowl are not naturally tame, and getting them to stay close to your hen house or chicken coop takes a little strategy—especially if you want to keep them safe and avoid angry neighbors.
If you’re starting with baby guinea fowl (called guinea fowl keets), begin transitioning them to your coop around 4 to 6 weeks of age, or a little older if you’re introducing them to an established flock of chickens. They do just fine with other birds, but make sure your chicken house has plenty of space.
Once they’re moved in, keep them enclosed for a couple weeks so they learn where home is. That consistent food, clean water, and shelter helps “imprint” the location in their little bird brains.
After that period, start letting them out a few hours before dusk. Gradually extend their free-ranging time each day until they’re fully adjusted.
You might still have to round up a few birds here and there. Some will go rogue. A couple of guineas might disappear or decide to roost in a tree forever. That’s just how it goes.
Getting Guinea Fowl as Baby Keets
Most guinea owners start their journey by ordering day-old guinea fowl keets, often through shipping. Keets are precocial, meaning they hatch with their eyes open and the ability to walk, making them more resilient than typical baby chicks.
Set up a brooder with good brooder temperature, access to clean water, game bird starter feed, and wood shavings for bedding. We keep ours away from cats and in a quiet spot. The first set of feathers comes in quickly, and soon you’ll be able to introduce them to outdoor spaces.
If you plan to hatch them yourself, collect a clutch of eggs and either incubate them or place them under a broody chicken hen. We’ve done both with success.
Guineas Need Room to Roam
Free-range guinea fowl need space—ideally a large area. Keeping them confined in a coop full-time not only stresses them out, it limits what they do best. Letting them roam helps with exercise, mental stimulation, and natural behaviors.
Be prepared, though: they’ll visit flower beds, wander through the vegetable garden, and explore dark places around your homestead. They don’t destroy things like chickens, but they’ll absolutely dust bathe wherever they please.
Guinea Fowl Are Incredibly Hardy
Adult guinea fowl are known for good health and being low maintenance. Once past the keet stage, you’ll rarely see common guinea fowl health issues. We’ve had a few young keets break their legs, and in those cases, we had to make the hard choice to put them down. But overall, they’re resilient.
Keep fresh food, cold water in warm weather, and plenty of extra space, and they’ll thrive. Supplement with oyster shells for egg-laying hens, and keep their hen house dry and clean.
Do Guinea Fowl Destroy Gardens?
Surprisingly, guineas and gardens get along just fine. Unlike chickens, they won’t tear up your vegetable beds or uproot everything. They’re after insect pests and grubs—not your squash or tomatoes.
Just give them enough square feet to wander so they don’t all crowd into your flower beds.
How to Tell Guinea Hens from Guinea Cocks
- Size: Adult males (guinea cocks) are larger.
- Color: Females often have white spots.
- Wattles and Helmets: Males have larger wattles and a more prominent helmet.
- Call: Females make a two-syllable call. Males only make one-syllable sounds.
- Tail Feathers: Males tend to have more upright tail feathers.
- The easiest way I’ve found to tell them apart: The red skin that goes over their noses is much bigger in males, and the females is less pronounced.
Guinea Fowl Nesting & Egg Laying Habits
- Seasonal layers: Guinea hens lay a clutch of eggs in warm weather.
- Nest boxes: Rarely used. Ours prefer duck boxes or dark corners.
- Incubation period: 26–28 days.
- Guinea hen egg: Smaller than a standard size chicken egg, with a thicker shell.
- Broody chicken hen: If you want to hatch keets, place guinea eggs under a broody hen or use an incubator.
Can You Eat Guinea Fowl or Their Eggs?
- Guinea fowl meat: Delicious and lean—tastes like a cross between chicken and pheasant.
- Eggs: Richer and smaller than chicken eggs. Very seasonal.
- Number of eggs: Expect 30–100 per year depending on your climate.
FAQs About Raising Guinea Fowl
Do guinea fowl need a coop? Not necessarily, but a safe chicken coop or hen house helps protect them at night.
Can guinea fowl live with chickens? Yes! They often integrate well, especially if raised from keets with your flock.
What do guinea fowl eat? They forage for bugs and grubs, but also enjoy oyster shells, grains, and kitchen scraps.
Do guineas survive cold climate conditions? Yes, with shelter and good preventative measures, they do fine—even in cooler areas.
Final Thoughts: Is Raising Guinea Fowl Right for You?
Guineas aren’t for everyone. But if you’ve got a large area, some patience, and want a unique bird that handles pest control like a pro—this might be your new favorite flock member.
They’re not cuddly. They’re not predictable. But they are entertaining, effective, and easier to care for than most people think.
Out of the 25 keets we started with, we still have 16 going strong—now in year three. They’ve earned their keep and are a permanent part of our homestead flock.
And if you’re still unsure? Try raising a couple of guineas and see what happens.
Want to follow along with our farm in real time? Make sure we’re friends over on Instagram.
If you’ve got the space and patience, raising guinea fowl might just be exactly what your farm is missing.
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