Exotic Guineafowl
There is not much information available regarding the exotic or wild species of Guineafowl in aviculture, so hopefully this information is enlightening. These are my personal experiences keeping and breeding 4 subspecies of exotic Guineafowl in the United States. What didn't work for me may work for you. However, this information most definitely works as I have done fairly well with these species over the years. There are 4 Genus of Guineafowl within their family: "numididae." The most common species are the helmeted Guineas from the genus numida. Helmeted Guineas are the loud humorous spotted birds that everyone thinks of when they hear the name "Guinea". These Guineas are domesticated from centuries of breeding in captivity from wild helmeted Guineas. They have become very hardy and tough birds. They are easy to tame and breed, and do not require much of an aviary. These domesticated Guineas rarely get sick, handle cold very well, and lay quite a few eggs during breeding season. However, the exotic or wild species of Guineafowl are not as easy to keep in captivity and are not good for beginners. They must be treated the same way as other rare expensive birds such as Great Argus Pheasants, rarer species of Peacock Pheasants, Green Junglefowl, etc. Poor husbandry of these species have nearly wiped them out of Aviculture in the United States. None of these Guineafowl should be free ranged, since they will leave, or be eaten. I always keep my Guineafowl in large aviaries. I suggest a minimum of 10ft by 20ft for a pair or trio. However, in captivity they do best in pairs. As far as breeding them goes, this is perhaps the most important thing: they need very thick weedy aviaries. The more grown up the aviary is, the better. Remember, these birds are wild and not domesticated. No matter how tame they get to us, we cannot change their nature, and their nature is to find the best most concealed and comfortable hiding spot to lay their eggs. If they do not feel safe enough to lay their eggs, they will not breed. It takes two years for these species of Guineafowl to mature to breeding age. It is highly unlikely they will lay fertile eggs earlier. They do not do well in large crowded groups in captivity, unless the aviary is very large. This is due to dominance and competition. There is always going to be a dominant male, and a dominant female. These dominants will make sure the others do not mate if at all possible, and they may also bully or kill the subordinates, this can also happen with trios. They need good winter enclosures to get out of rain, snow, etc. They may also need heat depending on your climate. They are prone to frost bite, and respiratory infections. These species do poorly in damp environments. Try keeping them on well drained areas, where the water does not stand. I recommend feeding them 20% Protein food or higher. You can also offer them various seeds, produce, etc. I have noticed the males like to pick specific seeds out of a mix to offer and court the females, this definitely contributes to good breeding during a season.
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FURTHERMORE:
You will not find eggs from these species. It has become a viral desire these days for people to always want to buy eggs. Eggs are not only a huge risk of loss, but also these exotic Guineafowl do not lay that many eggs per season. It is not in the best interests of these species to risk selling the few eggs that they do lay resulting in no new generations being hatched and the extinction of the species in captivity. Also, it takes much time, money, and effort to keep and breed these birds, hence the reason they are so expensive. Selling eggs simply robs the breeder of much needed money to care for their Guineafowl, and limits new birds being born into aviculture. Now that we have gotten this out of the way, PLEASE do not trust anyone claiming to be selling eggs or keets from either of these species. I promise you they are lying and will scam you. Also be very wary of low prices. These Guineas average $1500 per pair for Crested, and $2500 per pair for Vulturines. Anyone claiming to have them substantially cheaper are scammers. With technology today, there is absolutely no reason why the seller cannot facetime you and show you the birds they are selling live. There are only a small handful of us breeders left now in the US, and any of these birds for sale has become rare.
Vulturine Guineafowl
These are the most sought after exotic Guineafowl. These birds are absolutely beautiful and everyone that sees them wants them. However, as mentioned above, invest your time and money in a good full proof enclosure. These are the most delicate species of Guineafowl, and cannot take cold weather at all. You will need to confine them to heated quarters during winter, and keep their environment above 50 degrees. They cannot take temps lower than 50 degrees F, and their toes will start falling off, or they will develop respiratory infections. I have seen Vulturine's with no feet at all because of ignorant keepers. The best way to breed them is by keeping them in pairs or trios. They are not very sexually dimorphic, and it is difficult to distinguish male from female. They have the exact same call. The males will be larger, taller, longer legs, possibly longer hackle feathers hanging down the chest. Males will also display on their tip toes as domesticated Guineas do, and charge at the others. The keets are fairly hardy, and are as easy to rear as domesticated Guinea keets.
Crested Guineafowl
There are 5 recognized subspecies of Crested Guineafowl, possibly derived from the species "guttera pucherani". pucherani pucherani are also the most common in Aviculture and known as the Kenya Crested Guineafowl. "Pucherani edouardi", commonly known as the Edwards, or Zambezi Crested Guineafowl are also kept in Aviculture, but are extremely rare. These birds are disappearing in Aviculture. They are highly prone to coccidiosis, and must be watched attentively. They handle cold better than Vulturines, but I still keep them warm during the winter, at 50 degrees minimum. They are difficult to breed, and need a heavily weeded aviary to hide and nest in. They are also not dimorphic sexually. Both sexes have the same call, and the only visual way to distinguish them is the way the males tip toe and charge at one another. The males may be slightly larger, but not enough to trust sexing them visually. The rump on the hens are usually a little more rounded. DNA sexing is the only way I trust buying or selling a pair of these. As with Vulturines, these do best in pairs or trios. A group may be kept together if the aviary is large enough, and has enough foliage for hiding.
Reichenow's Helmeted Guineafowl
There are 9 recognized subspecies of wild Helmeted Guinea Fowl to date. The most common in captivity is "numida reichenowi", commonly called the Reichenow's Guineafowl. These are the wildest Guineafowl in captivity, and I have never seen a calm or tame one. I do find them very beautiful personally, and I love the very large tall helmet of the Reichenows. I found these the most difficult to breed, because they would never lay fertile eggs without very thick brush or weeds. They are also the most aggressive species, and do not mix well with the other species of Guineas, so keep them separated. They are larger heavier built than the other species as well, and far more hardy. They do not get sick as easily, and tolerate cold weather much better. In North Carolina, I never had to keep heat on them unless it stayed below the 30s for days at a time, then I would hang heat lamps over their perches. They should have a good wind proof, and rain proof shelter to protect them from the elements. Their eggs incubate at a bit dryer humidity, around 35-40%, and are fairly difficult to hatch in a incubator. Chickens are the best way to hatch them. They certainly are difficult to find, and have been cross bred with domesticated Helmeted. They also do best in pairs or trios. Males are usually very aggressive towards one another.
Plumed Guineafowl
This is a very rare genus of Guineafowl. There are two recognized (supposed) subspecies. There have never been any in captivity, and very little information exists about them. They are from the very dangerous regions of Congo Africa, and this has kept them isolated from study or capture.
White Breasted Guineafowl
This is another very rare species of Guinea: agelastes meleagrides. They were never brought into captivity that I know of, and there is very little information on them. They live in dense forests, also in dangerous regions of Africa, making it nearly impossible to study them or capture them.
Black Guineafowl
This is the final species of Exotic Guineafowl: agelastes niger. These are also very rare, and never been in captivity. Not much is known about them, and they are also forest birds mostly of the dangerous Congo Region of Africa.
Support Guineafowl Research
Perhaps the most important work being done to preserve wild Guineafowl today is being carried out by "Numidiary by Shady Hollow Farm." My friend Dana Manchester is heading up this project across Africa to document, identify species/subspecies, and set plans in motion to help protect wild Guineafowl. Please check out his links and help support him if possible. If donations or patreon is not possible, at least follow and like his social media for support. Thanks!
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