Is this a guinea or a chicken?

[Chantel1021]

We found this little baby hiding in our yard a few days ago. It looked after itself for two days(we don't know how long it's already been doing that before we found it) until we took it in when predators tried to catch it. We're trying to find a home for it now, but can't figure out what it is. I was told it's a guinea and there were some wild guineas in our yard a few weeks ago, but I want to make sure so that it goes to the right place for it. From the looks/markings it seems more like a chicken? Or could it be something else entirely? I'm very confused.
This cute little thing wants constant attention, chatters non-stop, eats a lot, and is very lonely/bored on its own, so we can't keep it even though we're very attached already. We had someone take it to a farm yesterday but it didn't seem to get along with the chickens there. Most people around here who are interested in taking it in have chickens, geese, and ducks, but no guineas if it is one. I'd appreciate some advice on what to do.

 

[janiedoe]

Omg. Cutest thing! Looks like a 4ish week old chicken to me.

 

[janiedoe]

Btw- welcome to BYC!

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Looks like some sort of mixed breed around 4-5 weeks old

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Looks like some sort of mixed breed around 4-5 weeks old

Chicken

 

[Chantel1021]

Aww wonder where it could have come from. We looked around the neighborhood and asked our neighbors, but nobody has any chickens or knows about any around here.
Thanks for the help. It should be easier to get a home for it if it's a chicken. Hopefully it'll find a flock that will accept it

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

That is a mixed breed chicken. It is best to be with other invidiuals of its species, as chickens are supposed to be. Some chickens, though very rarely, will prefer to be with humans than their own species, but again, that is rarely. By the description of the chick's behavior, it was not liking the fact it was alone with humans.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

but it didn't seem to get along with the chickens there.

Chickens have a complex social hierarchy called a pecking order. Each chicken has its rank inside of the pecking order, and their rank is determined by how strong they are. To increase their rank, the chicken must start fights more often and pick on the lower-ranking birds. The chick in the post is not expected to get along with the other chickens it was introduced to, as its pecking order rank has to be determined, causing a lot of fighting. That is why it is much better to introduce more than one chick into another flock－there is less stress on the newcomer when there is another chicken introduced along with it (meaning that both of them will be picked on instead of just one getting targeted). It sounds cruel but the pecking order determines who gets the most food, laying spots, water, sunbathing and dust-bathing areas, and so on. The most dominant hens are much less submissive than low-ranking hens (which is why male chickens prefer to breed with low-ranking hens). The pecking order is constantly changing and is never completely settled as chickens weaken or get stronger.

 

[Yardmom]

The first step many keepers do in putting a chick with other chickens is place where it can see and be seen, but not be touched by the other chickens.

 

[Chantel1021]

By the description of the chick's behavior, it was not liking the fact it was alone with humans.

It actually bonded with us since the second we found it. Since then it just didn't like it when we had to leave it alone for a while. Then it would keep calling for us to open the door. If nobody responds, it would run to find a place to hide and just keep quiet and wait until we come to get it again. But otherwise, when it is with us, it keeps following us around everywhere very closely and chats and purrs non-stop or snuggle up against me. And when it's outside and we're there to keep an eye on it, it happily explores and pecks and scratches the ground.
It just breaks my heart when it keeps calling or waiting for someone to be around before it does anything. So I'd like it to be with others of its kind instead so it can have a better life.