Guinea Fowl are a species of bird native to Africa and one of the oldest species of bird in the gallinaceous order which includes pheasants, turkeys and chickens. They are best known for their quirky appearance and unusual call but these birds are also used as a great tool for protecting crops and chooks. They are insect eaters known to control ticks, flies, locusts and maggots, playing a crucial role in protecting crops that are vulnerable to pests. They are used as guardians of chickens as their alarming call scares off common predators. Like chooks, they lay eggs but they do not create nests and incubate their eggs. Rather, the female guinea fowl (guinea hen) will simply drop the egg while she’s running! Guinea hens also have quite a hands-off role in raising young guinea fowl (guinea keets), with most of the parenting done by male guinea fowl (guinea cocks).
Guinea fowl are the newest addition to the farm animals of Green Olive at Red Hill. We have 5 guinea fowl who are a dark speckled colour. Our Maremma, Pisa, has taken a very protective role while they settle into the farm. Our guinea fowl are used to guard our ISA Brown chooks from predators and keep our Indian Runner Ducks company around the dam. With the help of Pisa and Baci who chase off predators, our guinea fowl protect the chooks by using a special call when there are signs of a predator. They are happy and talkative birds that love a special treat of grains and seeds or bread scraps from the restaurant.
Guinea Fowl Call
Listen to the unusual call of the guinea fowl: