Description Guinea Fowl Keets (Multiple Varieties) Breed Overview and Origin Cackle Hatchery® supplies several varieties of Guinea Keets for 4H and FFA showing and breeding, including White, Lavender, Pearl, and Royal Purple. Guinea fowl originated along the west coast of Africa, with historical records showing their presence as far back as 2400 B.C. in ancient Egypt. By 400 B.C., the Greeks considered guinea meat and eggs a delicacy. Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its bloodlines of these four guinea varieties since 1977. Appearance and Breed Characteristics Guinea fowl are known for their upright posture, spotted or solid feather patterns, and strong flock instincts. They are highly alert birds and are often described as natural “watchdogs” due to their loud calls when something unusual occurs. Guinea fowl prefer to roost high, often choosing trees when allowed to free range. Egg Production and Performance Guinea hens lay small, dark, speckled eggs, producing approximately 60–100 eggs per year. While not bred strictly for egg production, they offer a steady seasonal supply. Temperament and Behavior Guinea fowl are very active and alert, making them excellent for free-range environments. They are well known for their ability to control ticks and insects, making them a practical addition to farms and rural properties. They can be difficult to sex visually, but their calls provide a clue: Males make a one-syllable call: “chit, chit, chit” Females make a two-syllable call: “buck-wheat, buck-wheat” Guinea hens often hide their nests and may return with a full brood of keets when allowed to range freely. Assortment and Ordering Information Guinea fowl are available for purchase from January through August, but hatching and shipping only occur from May through August due to seasonal conditions. It is recommended to order in March and April to reserve availability. This offering is a Hatchery Choice assorted package, meaning: It is sold as a straight run only Color assortment is not guaranteed Specific colors cannot be requested or tracked Cackle Hatchery® does not provide records of which colors were included in your shipment Breeding and Management Fertility percentages generally range between 60–75%, with a recommended mating ratio of nine females to one male. Guinea fowl are considered setters and may go broody. They prefer roost heights of 4 feet or higher. Shipping and Availability Cackle Hatchery® ships guinea keets May through August, and it is recommended to order early to secure availability. Guinea keets must be shipped in a separate compartment from other poultry, as they may peck and injure other birds during transit. Due to shipping regulations, we cannot ship Guinea Fowl to Hawaii. Guinea Care Resources Chick Care Instructions (Guinea Section) https://www.cacklehatchery.com/chick-care-instructions/#quail Selecting Guinea Fowl https://www.cacklehatchery.com/selecting-guinea-fowl/ 3 Ways to Brood Guinea Fowl and 1 Way Not To https://www.cacklehatchery.com/3-ways-to-brood-guinea-fowl-and-1-way-not-to/ Raising Guinea Fowl https://www.cacklehatchery.com/raising-guinea-fowl/ Sexing Turkey Poults and Guinea Keets https://www.cacklehatchery.com/sexing-turkey-poults-and-guinea-keets/ How to Keep Guinea Fowl from Flying Away https://www.cacklehatchery.com/how-to-keep-guinea-fowl-from-flying-away/ Guinea Fowl on Tick Patrol https://www.cacklehatchery.com/guinea-fowl-on-tick-patrol/ Getting Guinea Fowl to Roost Indoors at Night https://www.cacklehatchery.com/getting-guinea-fowl-to-roost-indoors-at-night/ Backyard and Farm Use Guinea fowl are commonly used for insect control, property alerting, and free-range flock additions. Their natural instincts make them especially useful for farms, acreages, and rural environments. Guinea Fowl FAQs Are guinea fowl good for tick control? Yes. They are excellent at reducing ticks and other insects. Are guinea fowl loud? Yes. They are very vocal and will alert you to changes or intruders. Can guinea fowl be kept with chickens? Yes, but they are more independent and may prefer their own space. Do guinea fowl roost in trees? Yes. When free ranged, they often choose high roosting spots like trees.
