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Raising guineas and chickens together is a popular choice for small farms and backyard flocks.  Both types of poultry bring unique benefits: chickens are known for their reliable egg-laying, while guineas are excellent free-range foragers with a reputation for pest control. But is it a good idea to house them together, or should they be kept separately? I have both chickens and guinea fowl and there are things to consider before housing them together.

What Are Guinea Fowl?

Guinea fowl are domesticated birds originally native to Africa, known for their distinctive appearance, loud calls, and usefulness on farms. They are related to chickens and turkeys but have a unique look, with helmet-like heads, spotted plumage, and lean bodies.

Key Characteristics of Guinea Fowl

1. Appearance: They have grayish or speckled plumage (commonly called “pearl” color) and a distinctive bony casque or “helmet” on their heads.
2. Behavior: Guinea fowl are social, forming flocks and are excellent foragers.
3. Diet: They consume insects (e.g., ticks, grasshoppers), seeds, and greens. They are particularly valued for natural pest control. We got them specifically to eat all the ticks!
4. Noise: They are quite vocal, making loud alarm calls when disturbed or sensing danger, making them effective “watchbirds.” If you have noise ordinances where you live, then guinea fowl would not be a good option.

How to Care for Guinea Fowl

1. Housing

• Provide a secure coop or shelter, especially at night, to protect them from predators (e.g., foxes, raccoons).
• Ensure there’s enough space: 2–3 square feet per bird in the coop.
• Roosting bars are essential as they prefer to perch off the ground.
• Guinea fowl are good fliers; consider fencing that is at least 6 feet high if you wish to limit their roaming.

2. Feeding

• Starter Feed: For keets (young guinea fowl), use high-protein starter feed (24–28%) until 6–8 weeks old.
• Adult Feed: Transition to lower protein feed (16–18%) for adults, with supplemental grains like millet or cracked corn.
• Offer access to fresh water at all times.

3. Foraging and Pest Control

• Guinea fowl thrive in a free-range environment where they can forage for insects, which supplements their diet and reduces the need for commercial feed.
• They are excellent at controlling pests like ticks and are a natural addition to pest management on farms.

5. Socialization and Training

• Guinea fowl can be independent, somewhat wild, and extremely skittish. If raised with chickens or handled regularly as keets, they can be tamer.
• Train them to return to the coop at night by keeping them confined for the first 6–8 weeks.

6. Breeding

• Guinea hens lay eggs seasonally (spring through fall) and prefer hidden nests.
• Their eggs are smaller, hard-shelled, and can be eaten like chicken eggs.
• Keets (chicks) are delicate and need warm, draft-free brooding conditions.

Benefits of Raising Guineas with Chickens

1. Pest Control: Guineas have a voracious appetite for bugs, small snakes, and even small rodents. When kept with chickens, they can help reduce the population of pests around the coop and garden, benefiting the entire flock.
2. Natural Alarm System: Guineas are known for being noisy, especially when something unfamiliar approaches their territory. This can serve as an excellent alarm system for your flock, alerting you to wild birds, larger animals, or even human visitors. Chickens, on the other hand, tend to be quieter and won’t react as quickly to intruders.
3. Egg Production: Chickens are consistent egg layers, while guineas are seasonal layers and lay eggs that are slightly smaller than standard chicken eggs. However, guinea eggs are rich and nutritious, making them a unique addition to your household’s egg supply.
4. Great Foragers: Both guineas and chickens are great foragers, but guineas excel at it. They range further from the coop, searching out bugs, weeds, and seeds, which can help reduce feed costs.

​Is Mixing Guineas and Chickens a Good Idea?

Mixing guineas and chickens in one flock can work well for some setups, but it’s a personal decision with a few important considerations. Guineas are great layers of seasonal eggs, wonderful foragers, and offer a unique advantage with their natural alarm system. However, their territorial behavior, especially among male guineas, can lead to conflicts in a mixed flock of chickens.

When I had a full flock of guinea fowl, they had their own sectioned-off part of the run. I never had an actual coop for them, just a lot of roosting bars. Unfortunately, my guineas would venture too far from the coop during free range time and predators picked them all off except for one.  I just have one male guinea left and he now is housed with the rest of my flock of chickens.

Challenges of Mixing Guineas and Chickens

1. Space and Territory: Guineas and chickens each have their own social structures and behaviors, so they need plenty of room in the coop and outdoor space. Without enough room, conflicts over territory can arise, especially during mating season for guineas, when male birds may become more aggressive.
   
   My male guinea and my rooster fight every spring, and I know when it begins because of all the extra feathers I find from their “fights”.  If you choose to house them together, providing enough room for both types of fowl to establish their own spaces in the flock is crucial.

2. Differences in Nesting Habits: Guineas tend to be more independent and may prefer to lay eggs in secluded spots rather than standard nest boxes. This can lead to hidden nests around the yard or garden if they’re free ranging. Chickens, however, typically use nest boxes. Offering separate nest boxes and plenty of nesting areas in the coop can help prevent territorial issues between the two species. I had 9 guineas at one point, and only one was female. I never found a single egg from her.
3. Dietary Needs: While both birds can eat similar feed, guineas have slightly different dietary needs, especially when they’re young guinea keets. Supplementing their diet with high-protein turkey starter or layer mash and adding oyster shells for calcium can ensure strong eggshells and healthy growth.
4. Aggressive Behavior: Guineas have a strong pecking order and can become dominant over chickens, especially if they outnumber them. This can lead to feather-picking and chasing behaviors. Guineas are known for pulling out chicken feathers for fun so if you notice signs of bullying or aggression, it may be necessary to consider an extra coop or separate coops to give each species their own space.

​Tips for Managing a Mixed Flock

If you do decide to house Guineas and chickens together, here are things you must consider.

1. Plenty of Space: Guineas need more space than chickens, both in the coop and in the run. Allowing plenty of room helps prevent stress and aggression. A larger coop and outdoor area with access to high places for guineas to roost will keep both species happier.
2. Separate Brooder Boxes for Young Birds: Young guineas (guinea keets) and baby chicks should be raised in separate brooder boxes to ensure they grow strong and healthy before being integrated into the main flock. Moving young birds to the main coop only when they’re similar in size to adult chickens and guineas helps avoid bullying and territorial disputes.
3. Dietary Supplements: Offering the right feed for each species is important. Guinea fowl keets may need additional protein, and adult guineas benefit from layer mash and oyster shells. This is especially important if you plan to raise guinea fowl chicks or have breeding season approaching.
4. Monitor During Mating Season: Mating season can make male guineas (guinea cocks) more aggressive, as they become protective of female guineas. Keeping a close watch on your flock during this time and providing enough space for each species to avoid each other is key. I usually have to separate my male guinea from the flock in the spring.
5. Nest Boxes and Roosting Space: Separate nest boxes and plenty of roosting space in high places can help prevent competition between chickens and guineas. Guineas often prefer roosting in higher places and might not use standard nest boxes, so providing alternative roosting spots outside the main coop can be beneficial.

​Bottom Line

For those willing to provide plenty of room, separate nesting, and roosting spaces, and attention to dietary needs, keeping guineas and chickens together can be rewarding. Both species offer unique qualities, but careful planning and observation are the easiest ways to ensure a happy, harmonious flock.

What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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Related Posts:
Can Guinea Fowl and Chickens Breed?
Understanding the Pecking Order
How Much Space do Chickens Really Need?
All About Roosters

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