Guinea Fowl
For tick and insect control with a loud alarm system -- guineas patrol the yard for pests, but they are noisy, flighty and not a quiet backyard bird.
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Why this fits you
- Ticks, insects or garden pests are a problem for you.
- You live with enough space and tolerant neighbours for a noisy bird.
- You want a hardy, low-feed poultry bird that forages.
Guinea fowl are African birds kept for pest control. They eat ticks, insects and weed seeds as they roam, and they raise a loud alarm at anything unusual. They are hardy and forage for much of their food, but they are flighty, roost in trees and are far noisier than chickens.
What they are good for
Guineas patrol a property and eat large numbers of insects, including ticks, beetles and grasshoppers. They are also a natural alarm, screeching at hawks, strangers and unfamiliar vehicles. They are not a replacement for tick control on pets and people, but many keepers find fewer pests where they roam. They also eat weed seeds and can be useful in gardens, though they can scratch up seedlings.
Noise and neighbours
Guinea calls are loud, harsh and carry far. Females make a distinctive two-syllable call, and the whole flock can sound off for minutes at a time. If neighbours are close, a flock of guineas can cause conflict, so ask first, or consider a different bird.
Raising keets
Keets, the chicks, are small and need a brooder with heat, starting around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and a high-protein game-bird or starter feed. They can be hard to keep warm and dry. It helps to raise them in the coop where they will live, so that they learn to return to it at night.
Housing and behaviour
Guineas want to roost high and will often roost in trees if given the chance, which exposes them to owls and other predators. Training them to a coop by confining them for several weeks helps. They can fly, so fencing is of limited use, and they can wander widely. Hens lay seasonally, mostly in spring and summer, often hiding nests in tall grass.
Eggs and meat
Guinea eggs are small with a very hard shell, and the meat is lean and gamey, similar to pheasant. They are a secondary benefit for most keepers, and the main reasons to keep them are pest control and alarm.
How it compares
| Animal | Space needed | Daily time commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Chickens | Small (coop+run) | Low |
| Rabbits | Very small (hutches) | Low-moderate |
| Ducks | Small, needs water access | Low-moderate |
| Dairy Goats | Moderate (0.5-1 acre) | High (daily milking) |
| Honeybees | Minimal (a few sq ft) | Low (weekly checks) |
| Sheep | Moderate (pasture) | Low-moderate; busy at lambing |
| Pigs | Moderate (strong pen) | Moderate |
| Turkeys | Moderate (more than chickens) | Low-moderate |
| Guinea Fowl | Free range | Low |
Buying checklist
- Talk to neighbours before you buy -- guineas are loud
- Confine keets in the coop for several weeks so they learn to return to it
- Plan secure night roosting to protect against owls and other predators
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Do guineas really eat ticks?
Yes. They eat ticks and many other insects, though they do not eliminate a tick problem alone.
Are guinea fowl loud?
Very. They screech at unfamiliar things and at each other, and the sound carries.
Can guineas live with chickens?
They can, but guineas may bully chickens and wander farther, so watch how they get along.
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