Creating the Perfect Guinea Fowl Coop and Run Setup
Learn how to build the perfect guinea fowl coop and run to keep your birds safe, secure, and returning home each night.
If you’ve ever tried to keep guinea fowl, you already know they’re not the same as chickens. These quirky, independent birds have a mind of their own, and if given the chance, they’ll roost high in the trees rather than return to a coop at night. That might be fine on a large property, but for those of us on smaller homesteads, a well-designed guinea fowl coop and run is a must to keep them safe.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to build the perfect guinea fowl coop and run to keep your birds secure, comfortable, and easy to manage. I’ll cover essential design features, size requirements, materials, and tips for training guinea fowl to return to the coop each night. Whether you plan to fully enclose your guineas or let them free range, setting up the right housing from the start will make your life (and theirs) much easier.
Why Guinea Fowl Need a Proper Coop and Run
Guinea fowl are different from chickens in several key ways:
- They prefer to roost in trees. If left to their own devices, they’ll fly up at dusk and stay there overnight, which makes them vulnerable to predators like owls, raccoons, and foxes.
- They don’t instinctively return to a coop. Unlike chickens, guineas don’t have the same homing instinct for a roosting space, so training them is necessary.
- They are loud and territorial. If you don’t keep them contained, they may wander onto your neighbors’ property, creating noise complaints or other issues.
- They need protection from extreme weather. While guineas are hardy, they still benefit from shelter during harsh winters and heavy storms.
For these reasons, a coop and run—especially for those with limited acreage—is a wise investment.
Building the Perfect Guinea Fowl Coop
A well-designed guinea fowl coop provides safety, comfort, and a designated home base for your birds. Unlike chickens, guineas won’t instinctively seek shelter at night, so creating a coop that meets their needs—and encourages them to use it—is essential.
Coop Size & Design Considerations
Guineas don’t require nesting boxes like chickens, but they do need plenty of roosting space. Here’s what works best:
- Size: Aim for 4 square feet per bird inside the coop. If you have 10 guineas, that means a coop of at least 40 square feet.
- Height: Guineas prefer high perches, so the coop should be at least 6 feet tall to allow for roosting poles at different heights.
- Roosting Bars: Install wide, sturdy perches at multiple heights (starting at about 4 feet off the ground).
- Ventilation: Good airflow is essential to keep moisture and ammonia levels down. Use hardware cloth-covered vents along the top of the coop.
- Flooring: A dirt or solid floor works fine, but it must be predator-proof. If using a wooden floor, cover it with deep bedding to absorb moisture.
Security Features
Since guinea fowl are vulnerable to predators, security is key:
- Use ½-inch hardware cloth on all openings (chicken wire is not strong enough).
- Bury the wire at least 12 inches underground around the perimeter to stop digging predators.
- Add secure latches on doors and nesting access points to prevent raccoons from breaking in.
Designing the Ideal Guinea Fowl Run
If you don’t have a large acreage where guineas can roam safely, a fully enclosed run is the best way to protect them while giving them space to move around.
Run Size & Setup
- Minimum Space: Aim for 10 square feet per bird in the run. For 10 guineas, that’s 100 square feet.
- Fencing Height: At least 6 feet high with a covered top—guineas can fly and will escape an open run.
- Covering: Use netting or hardware cloth to prevent hawks and owls from snatching birds from above and prevent the guineas from flying out..
- Ground Cover: Guineas love scratching in dirt, grass, or sand. Avoid deep mud areas where they could develop foot issues.
Training Guinea Fowl to Return to the Coop
Guineas won’t automatically go into the coop at night unless they are trained. Here’s how to do it:
- Keep them locked in the coop for the first 6 weeks. This helps them recognize it as home.
- Once released, feed them inside the coop at dusk. They will learn to associate the coop with food.
- Use a herding technique. If they refuse to go in, gently guide them with a long stick or broom (not hitting—just directing).
- Turn on a dim light inside the coop at dusk. Guineas are more likely to go toward the light in the evening.
After a few weeks, they should start returning on their own.
Guinea Fowl Housing: Your Questions Answered
Encouraging Guineas to Roost Inside
If you have stubborn guineas that refuse to return to the coop, try feeding them a special evening treat (like mealworms or cracked corn) only inside the coop. They’ll associate the coop with rewards and come back more willingly.
Pin this now for when you’re ready to build!
Building the perfect guinea fowl coop and run takes some planning, but it’s well worth the effort. Whether you plan to free-range your guineas or keep them contained, a secure setup will protect them from predators and keep them from becoming a neighborhood nuisance. With proper training, they’ll learn to return to the coop each night, making your life much easier.
If you’re still on the fence about keeping guinea fowl, they offer plenty of benefits beyond just being entertaining birds to watch. They can help control pests like ticks, though their effectiveness depends on a few key factors. If you’re wondering how to raise them successfully or whether they can share space with other poultry, I’ve got you covered with some helpful guides.
Do you keep guinea fowl? What’s your biggest challenge when housing them? Share your experiences in the comments!
