How to raise Backyard Chickens: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Guineas In My Henhouse

Laura
I keep 9 peafowl and I raised them all except one from pealets; one older peacock showed up and joined the group. I've found peas to be rather timid and flighty and seem to do better in their own place and not combined with other birds for lockup. Also, they need extra roomy housing to allow for displaying their tail feathers. During good weather, they never come in at night but roost in the trees instead. Once the snow flys, I lock them up for the winter. In California, you might not need a special house for them as they'll probably free range all year round.

So they know where home is and to keep them on your property, I'd purchase pealets and keep them locked up the first year otherwise, they may take flight and not return. Peafowl aren't mature until 3 years of age. However, some hens may lay eggs at 2 years and some cocks may be fertile at two years.

I do have a peacock (who was raised as a pealet with chicklets) and he comes in every night (very unusual for a pea) and roosts with the chickens. He also prefers winter lock up with the chickens instead of joining the other peas in the peahouse. My chicken house is roomy so it works.

The literature states not to raise peas with other poultry due to disease issues they can get from other birds. However, all my birds commingle during the day, visiting each others houses, eating and drinking the feed and water provided and I've never had a problem. So, I'd say this is more of a personal choice. I think it's just the serious breeders who adhere to the sequestering rules for peas.

I have a 24x24x12 shingled roof, wood enclosure with windows and a covered (netted) 10x20x6 outdoor pen attached. They need large housing to accommodate their tails when displaying. Perches are made of 2x6 (to allow them to rest their bodies on their feet in cold climes) but in your area, 2x4s would suffice. I installed the perches up about 5-6 foot so their tail feathers don't touch the ground.

Their house is the only one that has a dirt floor and it's worked out nicely. I just rake up poopies a few times a week.

Sue
WLR

--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, Laura Quick <goatsnchickens@...> wrote:
>
> I'm curious about housing guineas and chickens together as I'd consider getting guines down the line. Also peafowl. Can you with both/all three chime in as to which you had first and how old they were when you put them together and how that went? Also, how they are housed and how many you have?
> THANKS!
> Laura in Los Angeles
>