Can guineas share a coop with chickens?

[heybarb]

I saw some baby guineas at the local farm store and was thinking about getting some, but I don't want to build another coop...can they share with my chickens?

 

[sourland]

Maybe. Given enough space guinea fowl and chickens can co exist. Guineas seem to operate with a 'pack' mentality. If they decide that it is a good idea to terrorize a particular chicken, they will do so frequently to the death of the target bird.

 

[heybarb]

I have a couple of broody young hens. Could I sneak a couple of baby guineas under a one in the middle of the night? Is that crazy?

 

[sourland]

I have hatched and raised many guinea fowl with chicken hens. If the guinea chicks are not too old to imprint, it can be done quite readily. Mama hen may wonder, "What language are these kids speaking?"

 

[heybarb]

I should also add that my flock free ranges all day. They do not have a run, just a coop they sleep in at night...

 

[Lollipop]

I might add that inexperienced broodies sometimes are not reliable so be prepared in case it doesn't work. I've done as you plan many times and can verify that chickens are much better mothers than guineas. Got a hen with eight on the ground now. Good luck........Pop

 

[ClaytonCoop]

I got four Silver lace Wyandottes when they were a few days old and two Guinea keets a short time later. They all hang together in the run and roost at night with my four RIRs. My neighbors also keep guineas with their leghorns and orpingtons.

 

[philter4]

I keep my domestic guinea fowl with the chickens, they can and will pick on the chickens from time to time but they are all able to free range during the day and I have never had them actually hurt a chicken. I have always introduced the guineas to the chicken flock as soon as they are out of the brooders so they are not only used to the chickens but they are submissive until they mature, by then they have sort of a pecking order and the chickens tend to get out of their way so it isn't a problem.

I have a 8X8 ft pen at one end but still inside the chicken run (which is 40X10 ft) that I put any bird I am raising in so the flock gets used to seeing them daily, as they get older and are about 2/3rds the size of the adult chickens I slowly introduce them to the main pen, first for an hour then longer before I let the adults out to free range. Finally I let them out into the pen for the main part of the day while the chickens and guineas free range. After a couple of weeks of this I let them out for the day with the other birds kept in the pen for another 2 or 3 weeks before I start letting them all free range. This allows the younger birds to learn the barn, pen and feeding/watering stations without being picked on or driven away until they are finally integrated into the flock.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We had a broody orpington hatch out 12 guineas on July 4th. They are still following her around as she mingles with the chicken flock! Our hens cut loose their chicks as early as 4 weeks but these guineas just hang in there with the flock and run with the grownups instead of going off on their own miniflock like the chicken offspring do.
it's been an interesting journey with them!

 

[JLeigh]

heybarb,

I think the key to most people's success integrating chickens and guineas is plenty of space for everybody.

Lots on this forum would prefer to have a broody hen hatch out guinea eggs. Chickens make much better mothers. That might help with peaceful co-existence too, but I don't know - I don't have any experience with that.