Shady Hollow
"There's a gamebird for everyone!"
GAMEBIRDS
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| Pond Lane, Morrill ME 04952 - 1.774.273.0370 |
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© Shady Hollow Gamebirds 2005 - Present.
| Helmeted Guinea Fowl |
Name: Often mistakenly called 'Guinea Hens'.
Guinea hen only refers to the females. The species
is collectively known as Guinea Fowl.
Guinea hen only refers to the females. The species
is collectively known as Guinea Fowl.
Origin: Guineas originate from the African plains
heads- to allow heat to escape the body. Their
origin also explains why they have eyelashes- to
keep the dust from their eyes. Early civilizations like
the Romans domesticated these birds by hybridizing
various wild subspecies.
heads- to allow heat to escape the body. Their
origin also explains why they have eyelashes- to
keep the dust from their eyes. Early civilizations like
the Romans domesticated these birds by hybridizing
various wild subspecies.
weed control. They are always foraging for ticks,
mosquito's, black flies and weed seeds. Not only
are they good for this but they produce large
amounts of eggs in warmer weather. Eggs are
edible and very tasty. Guineas are often butchered
for their dark gamy meat as well. They will sound
alert calls when a predator is nearby which makes
them good barnyard watchdogs, too.
mosquito's, black flies and weed seeds. Not only
are they good for this but they produce large
amounts of eggs in warmer weather. Eggs are
edible and very tasty. Guineas are often butchered
for their dark gamy meat as well. They will sound
alert calls when a predator is nearby which makes
them good barnyard watchdogs, too.
Varieties: We are proud to say that no other hatchery carries a wider assortment of Guinea Fowl varieties.
We currently produce pearl, royal purple, violet, copper, pastel, slate, pewter, smokey, ivory, brown, blue, lite
lavender, lite coral, powder blue, porcelain, opaline, crystalline, bronze, white and then all of these birds in
pied form as well.
We currently produce pearl, royal purple, violet, copper, pastel, slate, pewter, smokey, ivory, brown, blue, lite
lavender, lite coral, powder blue, porcelain, opaline, crystalline, bronze, white and then all of these birds in
pied form as well.
Terms: Babies are called keets. Young females are pullets and young males are called cockerels. Adult
females are called hens and adult males are called cocks. The horn on the top of the head is known as
the casque. The hanging flap on either side of the beak is known as a wattle.
females are called hens and adult males are called cocks. The horn on the top of the head is known as
the casque. The hanging flap on either side of the beak is known as a wattle.
Behavior: Young Guinea Fowl are the most talkative. They will chat about most of the things they
'buck-wheat buck-wheat'. Only hens make this repetitive two syllable sound. Males have a call of their low
rolling whistle combined with a humming sound. Males are the dominant birds in Guinea Fowl society.
Multiple males can be housed together without problems but there will always be dominant birds. This is
observed by males standing on the tips of their toes with their wings fanned over their back. They try to
appear as large and tall as possible. Males will mock-charge one another as a display of dominance.
They rush the opponent with wings flipping forward to startle the rival male. Occasionally they will 'neck'
where the males peck at one another in a repeating alternating joust. Females never become dominant
over males. The alpha bird is always a male and hens are submissive to males. The only time a hen will
fight another is when the bird is not recognized as part of the flock.
'buck-wheat buck-wheat'. Only hens make this repetitive two syllable sound. Males have a call of their low
rolling whistle combined with a humming sound. Males are the dominant birds in Guinea Fowl society.
Multiple males can be housed together without problems but there will always be dominant birds. This is
observed by males standing on the tips of their toes with their wings fanned over their back. They try to
appear as large and tall as possible. Males will mock-charge one another as a display of dominance.
They rush the opponent with wings flipping forward to startle the rival male. Occasionally they will 'neck'
where the males peck at one another in a repeating alternating joust. Females never become dominant
over males. The alpha bird is always a male and hens are submissive to males. The only time a hen will
fight another is when the bird is not recognized as part of the flock.
Breeding: Guineas can be colony bred, group bred or paired. This means that multiple males can be lay
eggs in a communal nest and then incubate the eggs together. Raising the keets is often a group effort
as well. For predation and safety reasons it is not recommended to allow hens to hatch and raise keets.
Breeding season for Guinea Fowl varies by climate but is generally March - September. The hard-shelled
eggs take 26 days to incubate and are often very high in fertility and hatchability. Hens will ususally lay
about 70 eggs per season.
eggs in a communal nest and then incubate the eggs together. Raising the keets is often a group effort
as well. For predation and safety reasons it is not recommended to allow hens to hatch and raise keets.
Breeding season for Guinea Fowl varies by climate but is generally March - September. The hard-shelled
eggs take 26 days to incubate and are often very high in fertility and hatchability. Hens will ususally lay
about 70 eggs per season.
treated like most other poultry or gamebirds to raise. They are afraid of a lot of things, especially when
young. Keep an eye out when you change something so they can accommodate themselves. Guineas
don't scratch as much as chickens so they keep the coop relatively clean. They are perchers, however and
will accumulate feces under their roosts. As long as they have a few spots to get away from each other,
fighting is kept to minimal pecking-order ranking. During winter months they simply need to be kept out of
direct wind and snow, easily sustaining temperatures of -10 degrees. 4 sq ft per bird is plenty of space for
them. They are very good fliers as well and should not be under-estimated.
young. Keep an eye out when you change something so they can accommodate themselves. Guineas
don't scratch as much as chickens so they keep the coop relatively clean. They are perchers, however and
will accumulate feces under their roosts. As long as they have a few spots to get away from each other,
fighting is kept to minimal pecking-order ranking. During winter months they simply need to be kept out of
direct wind and snow, easily sustaining temperatures of -10 degrees. 4 sq ft per bird is plenty of space for
them. They are very good fliers as well and should not be under-estimated.
