What kind of shelter do guineas need?
When it comes to guinea fowl care, housing need not be elaborate. Housing can be anything from an old outhouse for a few guineas or a shed to a corner of the barn or garage or a converted trailer. What is important is that housing provides a place for guineas to roost in that is dry, draft-free and predator proof.
How do you build a guinea fowl shelter?
You can build a temporary chicken coop from scratch. You can build a box by nailing together five sheets of plywood for four walls and a roof, and cut a door on one side to allow your birds access to the outside. You can also use four (or more) fence posts to create a run.
What kind of coop do guinea fowl need?
Guineas need at least 2 square foot in the coop and 10 square foot of floor space in the run, which is around twice as much space as chickens do in the coop. Guinea fowl also require more perch space and height, both in the coop and in the run. Below: Guineas don’t snuggle up close like chickens do.
How much room do you need for guinea fowl?
If you confine your guineas (as you might wish to do for meat and/or egg production), it is important to provide the birds plenty of room (2 to 3 sq. ft. per guinea). The more room the guineas have, the less likely they are to become stressed.
How cold is too cold for guinea fowl?
Here is the important point – If they are in a coop and it is dry and sheltered they can survive sustained temperatures of -18C or -1F provided they have liquid water and plenty of feed. Below: Guineas wandering in the snow – in these conditions they probably just need feed and water in a sheltered coop.
Do guinea fowl roost in trees?
Provide High Roosting Perches The reason guineas tend to roost in trees is that they feel safest in high places. If they feel the perches inside the coop are not high enough, they will seek other roosting spots. The roost height for guinea fowl should be at least four feet above the coop floor.
Can you use a chicken coop for guinea fowl?
A Guinea Is Not A Chicken Chickens are very domesticated birds. You can coop them, free-range them, or do half and half. Chickens are fine with both. Guineas are not the same.
Where do guinea fowl like to nest?
Guinea fowl are ground nesting birds and like to hide their nests among fallen branches and tall grasses. They can be very hard to find but it’s imperative that you find them! If you don’t find the nest, inevitably the Guinea hen will decide to hatch the eggs. Guineas sit on the nest for 28 days.
When can you let guineas free-range?
The best time to let your guinea keets free range is when they are about 12-14 weeks old. At this age, the keets are still very young and flighty, so you need to oversee them. Start slowly by allowing them to free-range for 30-60 minutes daily. Another option is to let them wander not too long before their bedtime.
How do you keep guinea fowl in the winter?
Your Guinea housing should provide a place for Guineas to roost in that is dry, draft-free and predator proof but have adequate ventilation, roosting bars, adequate space for the number of birds. In cold weather it should also have ample dry bedding, feed and unfrozen water.
Do guinea fowl keep foxes away?
Guinea Fowl & Insect Control But Guinea fowl are also popular because their loud warning cries serve as a perfect alarm system against predators such as snakes or foxes and they will also let you know when people come to your property.
Can guinea fowl survive winter?
Yes, guinea fowl do like to get out for some exercise and fresh air even in the winter. On a snowy but calm day when there are no hazardous conditions then let them out. Below: In relatively mild conditions these birds are fine to be out as normal.