Guinea fowl come in seven distinct species of their own, but are related to the pheasant. The various species of guinea have been interbred and domesticated for centuries, shipped and bred all over the globe. The helmeted guinea is considered the breed most commonly bred in England and the United States.
Guinea Fowl Characteristics
The adult bird sets a striking silhouette; it resembles an oversized, polka-dotted football with a tiny neck and a little colorful head, all set on slender legs that tend to disappear beneath the volume of feathers. Breeds come in a variety of plumage colors, from all white (white on white speckles) to the more common blackish-blue with white specks, with every shade from lavender to chocolate in between.
Their charms do not stop at the unique appearance. Guinea fowl are known as excellent watch birds, loudly announcing anything strange entering their territory and even known to kill snakes and mice. The feed mainly on insects, with a special taste for ticks and mites. Many gardeners incorporate the birds as a means of pest control, as they rarely damage the plants from which they graze the insects. They can be raised and sold for food, offering a taste slightly "gamier" than chicken, reminiscent of turkey or pheasant.
Raising Guinea Fowl
Guineas establish their own territory and can usually be trusted to range free within it, although, if left unfenced, their territory may cover several acres. They often form close attachments to humans and tend to display entertaining personality.
Unfortunately, hens are not known to be protective parents. One hen can produce up to 100 eggs in a single year, but the mass production is tempered by poor survival rates if the hen is left to care for the keets while free ranging. Nests are normally scratched out of the ground, so are easily lost and poorly protected. Breeders often remove eggs to the safety and temperature control of incubators soon after they are laid, replacing them with fade eggs, as the hens are loyal brooders.
Guinea Fowl History
Whether kept as garden tenders or served up as meat tenders, guineas have a long history of domestication on almost every continent. Originating in west Afria, known to have been present in ancient Egypt, Portuguese colonies exported the birds from African and so began their proliferation in Europe. Guineas are currently feeding and eating pests all over the globe.
Further information about raising guineas for any purpose can be found online through the Guinea Fowl Breeders Association.
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