Guinea Fowl Free Ranging Routines
It’s been just over a week now that the weather has been nice enough to allow our flock of 30 pearl grey Guinea fowl out of their coop yard to enjoy some free ranging. Last year, the Guinea fowl were still relatively young when we finally allowed them out to start free ranging. We first had to imprint them with the coop being their home, and train them to come to the sound of the cowbell – thus making it easier to shelter them from our area predators. We have several nocturnal predator species that would just love to catch a nice, plump Guinea fowl for a late night meal – not the least of which is a Great Horned Owl.
We’re noticing several differences in the behaviors of the Guinea fowl this year, as opposed to last year. Last year, for example, when the Guinea fowl were free ranging they tended to stay relatively close to each – in a rather tight flock. This year that’s different. This morning the Guinea fowl were spread out over what I’d estimate to be about 5 acres. Some were in the trees roosting, and others were foraging on the ground.
Another noticeable difference in this year’s free ranging is ‘chasing.’ That’s when one or two of the Guinea fowl chase another Guinea fowl – for any number of reasons. Last year, chases happened, but were only occasional and short. This year, that has changed substantially. I don’t think 5 minutes pas without the Guinea fowl chasing. And some of the chases are quite lengthy. I’ve seen them go on for 75-100 yards with regularity. I also think it’s interesting to note that during chases, the Guinea fowl being chased only runs – it never flies to the safety of a high branch, like they do when they’re afraid.
We’ve also, on two separate occasions, gotten to witness the Guinea fowl breeding during their free ranging adventures. We’ve never seen the Guinea fowl breed before. It’s a rather fast event – lasting less than 20-seconds, or at least the times that we’ve seen it, it has lasted that long. There’s a brief, short chase followed by the female laying rather flat with her wings slightly spread. The male mounts from behind, with his wings spread, and a few seconds later it’s all over. We really hope to catch the breeding/mating behavior on video this year, so we can include it in our Guinea Fowl TV series of videos on YouTube.
If you haven’t watched any of our Guinea fowl videos, tune into Guinea Fowl TV at http://www.youtube.com/user/GuineaFowlTV.
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