14 reasons you should not raise Guinea fowl

Guinea fowl are interesting birds. They are poultry, but not really. They kinda look like feather covered helmets with clown face makeup on. Guineas act like idiots and eat ticks and snakes like it's their job. Well, I guess it sort of is their job since most people get them for their insect control talents.

In fact, guinea fowl have become really popular in the 9 years I've been raising them! When I first decided to get guineas I had a hard time finding some to buy and an even harder time learning to raise them. I kinda had to learn as I go. 

If you're interested in raising guinea fowl you'll soon found out that there are 2 types of people who have raised guinea fowl: they either love them or hate them.

I love them.

Raising Guinea Fowl

I think guineas are about the coolest bird I could get. I never have a health problem with them and they keep the ticks under control in our woods. They're funny and quirky and a whole lot of entertainment!

Helmeted guinea fowl are pretty awesome birds and there are lots of reasons why you should raise Guineas, but do you know why you shouldn't? 

14 reasons why you should not own Guinea fowl

1) Guinea hens hide their eggs.

Guinea hens make you hunt for their eggs like every day is Easter. No eggs in the nest box for most of these quirky birds. Guinea hens prefer to play ninja and hide their eggs. Which kinda stinks because guinea eggs are really high in protein. Good luck finding them!

2) Guinea hens hide to hatch eggs.

They try to hatch those stealth Guinea nests they've been laying their eggs in, and predators will more then likely find them before you do. 28 days, sitting all alone in the woods is not a recipe for safety!

3) Guineas are noisy. 

If you value your peace and quiet then these noisy birds are not the ones for you! Guinea fowl sounds are only slightly louder than a freight train. Slightly. You should buy some earplugs. Not only is each individual guinea loud, but when one starts hollering, the whole Guinea fowl flock hollers too! 

They will alert you to something happening 2 streets over if they hear the slightest noise and there is no way to stop the guinea noise once it starts!

4) Guineas are vain.

Guinea fowl love looking at themselves in any reflective surface they can find. The windows, patio door and even the cars shiny hubcaps are all places they will stare at themselves for hours. They also like to try to 'peck' the other bird in the reflection, which can scare the crap out of you if you suddenly hear a knock on your second floor window!

5) Guineas poop everywhere!

Guinea birds on the windowsills, car, roof etc mean there is Guinea fowl poop on the house, car, roof etc. Oh, and don't forget the paint scratches on the car. *sigh*

6) Guinea fowl are bullies.

They can be bullies to smaller chickens. Guinea fowl get a kick out of sneaking up behind a chicken and pulling its tail feathers. Most chickens won't fight back which makes it even more of a game for the Guineas. 

If you happen to have a chicken that spooks easily and squawks loudly, all the more fun!

7) Guineas fly better than chickens.

They can fly really well and don't always want to sleep in the coop at night. They will perch on a tree branch 30 feet up to sleep. Or the top of your car. They love cars. If you get guineas expect to do a lot of attempted herding to get them to where you want them to be at night. Expect it to not work very well!

8) Gardening with them doesn't always work.

Guinea fowl are not as fabulous in the garden as we've been led to believe. They will destroy your seedlings. Guineas will take bites out of your tomatoes. They will dust bathe right between your rows of seedlings and uproot all of them. They will gleefully destroy your flower beds.

9) They look like clowns.

Adult guineas are kinda creepy looking. Like a helmet shaped joker bird. I would steer clear of these if your kids are afraid of clowns.

10) Guinea fowl are dumb. 

I can't come up with a stronger word, but let me tell you they are a few bananas short of a bunch! They will walk back and forth along a fence squawking for an hour before they see the gate opening a foot away.

11) They can't be corralled.

Getting guineas to move is like herding cats. They're not like chickens that you can shoo in the right direction. Oh no! They go back and forth and every which way and just when you think you have them going in the right direction.....they go straight up!

12) Guinea hens are terrible mothers. 

Just awful! I've rescued many keets from hypothermia while only a few feet away from a guinea mama and she just ignores them.

13) Guineas don't eat ladybugs.

So if you're main problem is ladybugs, guineas aren't going to help. Actually, nothing eats ladybugs. You're gonna need a ladybug trap. They do eat stink bugs though, so there is that.

14) Guinea fowl travel while bug hunting.

They like to wander far far away in search of bugs to eat. Like your neighbors yard. Even if your neighbors lives 1/4 mile away. Some neighbors don't like this...see #3, #4 & #8.


Believe it or not I'm not trying to talk you of raising these funny Guinea birds. What you raise on your homestead is a personal choice and I know this might all sound a bit odd coming from someone who regularly has at least 50 of these quirky critters running around.

I find that Guinea fowl are something you either love or hate and I happen to love them. However in the interest of full disclosure.....I thought you should know! 

If despite all this you're still looking to order some guinea keets, I've bought most of mine from Ideal hatchery and had a great experience.

Now that you know why you should not raise guineas...I'm going to confuse you even more with 13 Reasons why you should raise guineas. Enjoy!


~Lisa

Want to know more about raising Guineas? Click here for Guineas 101, everything you want to know about guinea fowl!

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