Any good pics of your guineas?

[Hablo]

I have an ignorant question. What do people keep guineas for? Do they provide eggs regularly as chickens do? I’ve seen that people eat them, are they good? Are they worth the effort of raising them for food? They are so beautiful but seem obnoxious. My parents go to South Africa for hunting trips every few years and they’ve “hunted” guineas there before. Venturing to guess it was really less of a hunt and more of a means to get a quick dinner. Not sure I could ever “hunt” one myself as they are so beautiful.

I got guineas because I was told that they keep away the hawk. We had a lot of hawk attacks in the past. Since I have my two guineas, the hawk wasn't successful since then and that is 3 months now. I even saw a hawk coming once and when the guineas started to scream it flew away.
And I'm going to eat the eggs of them, let them brood and then butcher some of them as I do with my chickens.

 

[Gill-b]

These are some of the indigenous wild Guinea Fowl, living in our residential area, a suburb of the greater Cape Town, South Africa, on one of their regular visits to our yard.

Sneaking the family past the cat next door.

"Kids, make sure you look both ways before you cross the street."

 

[Gill-b]

I would like to add a twist to the interesting exchange of information with regards to Guinea Fowl terminology...

Did you know that here in Southern Africa we have a Guinea Pigeon? The Scientific name being Columba guinea.

Also known as a Speckled Pigeon or Rock Pigeon, they are indigenous and quite common. Most people discourage them from nesting on their properties just as they do with the Feral Pigeons, but I have a soft spot for birds so I have allowed a pair of Guinea Pigeons to nest here, however I do regulate their producing of offspring. I also check the offspring for health and parasites; and take the necessary action to ensure a healthy environment for all of us.

Anywho, I have digressed a little from my original topic. The added twist I mentioned is that here, in Southern Africa, the term "Guineas" can refer to Guinea Fowl or Guinea Pigeons. However here, on Backyard Chickens, the term "Guineas" is most likely never mistaken because of the context of the threads. The title of this thread, for example, is "Any good pics of your guineas?" ...so with tongue in cheek, here is a picture of my Guineas...

 

[R2elk]

However here, on Backyard Chickens, the term "Guineas" is most likely never mistaken

If you go back to the start of the Guinea Fowl forum, you used to be able to find posts about guinea pigs.

 

[Gill-b]

Oh yes, Guinea pigs, I forgot about those furry friends. Totally slipped my mind.


I must look up what female and male Guinea pigs are called. As far as I remember, the male pigeon is called a "cock" and the female pigeon also a "hen"?

 

[Gill-b]

Well, what do you know!...

'A male Guinea pig is called a “boar” and a female is called a “sow”.'

 

[R2elk]

Well, what do you know!...

'A male Guinea pig is called a “boar” and a female is called a “sow”.'

I knew that. As a kid I had guinea pigs.

 

[Gill-b]

I knew that. As a kid I had guinea pigs.

I had one too... for about an hour. I brought it home from school. My parents were not impressed with me, but fortunately our neighbour next door took pity on my situation and adopted it. I had visitation rights.

 

[fowltemptress]

I always forget to add the word "fowl" to the end of the word "guinea" when I do an internet search for guineas. Without that, everything that pops up is about guinea pigs. There's also the American guinea hog.

 

[Gill-b]

There's also the American guinea hog.

An American guinea hog!? Now you are teaching me something new. Will have to look that one up.