Raising Young Keets with a Broody Hen.

There are many advantages to using a broody hen to hatch and rear young Guinea Fowl (Keets). Guineas have a habit of roosting up in the trees if they are not accustomed to their house from an early age so a hen will get them used to going in to a house to roost at night. As they grow up, when she is ready to wean them, often she will go to lay in the house and will find it difficult to get away from them. Young keets will often stand outside with their heads raised, calling incessantly for her. When they are fully grown, they will often continue to follow her around and sometimes it can be necessary to break them up for a while so they can get used to their own company, rather than that of their mother.

It is useful for Guinea Fowl to be raised by a broody and then for them to live with some chickens as they are more likely to lay their eggs in a nest box in the hen house, rather than hidden somewhere outside which they seem to prefer.