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A Guide to Rearing & Feeding Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl are increasingly popular on UK smallholdings for their unique appearance, tasty eggs, and natural pest control abilities. Whether you’re keeping a small flock for eggs or as garden sentinels, providing the right nutrition and care is key to healthy, productive birds.
Key Nutritional Needs
Guinea fowl require a protein-rich, balanced diet—especially as keets (chicks)—to support rapid early growth and strong immune systems. Their needs are similar to game birds like pheasants, but they’re more active and need robust, energy-rich feed.
- Protein: Essential for growth and feathering, especially in young keets
- Vitamins & Minerals: For bone strength, immunity, and egg production
- Grit: Supports digestion, especially for penned birds
Types of Feed by Life Stage
Starter Crumb (0–6 weeks):
- High-protein (24–28%) fine crumb, easy for keets to eat
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy development
Grower Pellets (6–12 weeks):
- Medium protein (18–20%), balanced for steady growth
- Supports feather and muscle development
Adult/Breeder Pellets (12+ weeks):
- Maintenance or breeder feed (16–18% protein) for mature birds
- Breeder pellets contain extra calcium for laying hens
Grit & Supplements:
- Always provide grit for digestion
- Mineral/vitamin supplements are helpful during stress or breeding
How to Feed
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Frequency:
- Keets: Feed little and often (3–4 times daily)
- Older birds: 1–2 times daily
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Quantity:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines, adjusting for age and activity
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Water:
- Fresh, clean water at all times
- Use shallow drinkers for keets to prevent drowning
Housing & General Care
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Space:
- Guinea fowl are very active and need plenty of room to roam
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Shelter:
- Dry, draught-free housing with secure roosts—guinea fowl prefer to roost high
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Enrichment:
- Scatter feed to encourage natural foraging and reduce boredom
Health & Biosecurity
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Cleanliness:
- Clean feeders and drinkers daily, refresh bedding regularly
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Worming & Parasites:
- Regular health checks and worming recommended
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Biosecurity:
- Limit contact with wild birds and rodents to prevent disease
Common Feeding Mistakes & FAQs
- Mistake: Underfeeding protein to keets—slows growth and weakens immune system
- Mistake: Not providing grit, leading to digestive issues
- Mistake: Overfeeding treats or scraps—leads to imbalanced diet
FAQs:
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Can I feed guinea fowl chicken feed?
Not ideal—guinea fowl, especially keets, need higher protein than standard chicken feed. -
How long should keets stay on starter crumb?
Usually up to 6 weeks, then transition to grower pellets. -
Do guinea fowl need grit?
Yes, especially if not free-ranging.
Product Recommendations & Internal Links
Browse our full range of guinea fowl feeds, suitable for every life stage. We also stock grit, supplements, and essentials to help your birds thrive.