How to Build Pens for Guinea Fowl

Guinea fowl pens can be small or large and as simple or complex as you like. Pens for a guinea fowl need to include an enclosed house and a wire surrounded run. You can utilize an existing shed or small building to begin the project or build an entire new structure. Pens need to provide for the safety and health of the guinea fowl.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide how much space you will need for your guinea fowl. Guinea fowl need 1 to 1 1/2 square feet per bird for inside space and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the outside run.

    • 2

      Provide protection for the guinea fowl. A good pen needs to shelter the birds from the weather, keep out predators and reduce the chance of injuries. Make sure the guinea house is dry and draft-free. Build or place the house on high, well-drained areas. Protect the guinea run from predators with a 6-foot fence, buried 12 inches deep but not covered. Guineas will roam free during the day and fly over the run to roost in the house at night. Windows and doors that are left open should be covered with heavy wire or screen. Check the pen for loose wiring, nails that are sticking out or other sharp objects that could injure the birds.

    • 3

      Provide guineas with accessibility to food and water. Place food and water containers in areas the birds can easily reach. The water containers bottom should be at the same height as the birds back. The top of the food dish should reach the same height as the birds back also. Arranging food and water this way will keep it clean and avoid waste.

    • 4

      Ventilate guinea houses to allow plenty of air movement. Guineas need fresh air and ventilation will remove extra moisture, ammonia or carbon dioxide from the pen. The smell of ammonia or damp feeling air in the pen is a sign you need more ventilation. For smaller size houses you only need an open window or vent on one side to provide enough air movement.

    • 5

      The house roof should be high enough and roosts spaced so cleaning is easy to do without bumping your head. Build with materials that are easy to clean. Slightly slope the floor toward the door to prevent water from puddling and to make spraying out and cleaning the floors of the pen easier.