The December 2011 issue of Buck-Wheat Bytes is now available online.
Click here (PDF document, 1.36 MB/4 pages) to download your copy for viewing online, or feel free to print out a copy to read later.
Previous issues of the newsletter are also available online as PDF documents and can be downloaded from the GFIA Newsletters section of the website.
Photo Caption Contest
December 28, 2011 at 10:29 PM
To learn more about the Photo Caption Contest announced in the December 2011 issue of Buck-Wheat Bytes, or to submit your unique idea for a caption, please go to the message that is posted on the Guinea Fowl Forum by clicking here.
Guineas in the News - Norfolk, United Kingdom
December 3, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Read about how a commercial guinea fowl farm near Attleborough in Norfolk, England, is successfully raising guinea fowl for the market. The operation houses about 20,000 French guinea fowl. This article can be found on the Farmers Weekly Interactive website.
Guineas in the News - West Midlands, United Kingdom
December 1, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Here's an amusing little story about a guinea fowl that disrupted a staff meeting at the Dudley Zoo in the town of Dudley, West Midlands, England. You can find the article on the Shropshire Star website.
The Seventh Annual Guinea Fowl International Conference will be held on Friday through Sunday, March 16-18, 2012, in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
You'll find additional information on our GFIA Conferences page which will be updated as more details become available.
Guineas in the News - Surrey, United Kingdom
June 24, 2011 at 12:52 PM
The Surrey, England, Police are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the shooting of two guinea fowl or saw anything suspicious in the Horsley Rd. area of Cobham on Thursday evening, June 16. One guinea was killed, and one is being treated for its injuries. You can read about the incident in this article found at the Get Surrey website.
Guinea fowl are once again the focus of a research study that aims to help humans. This study, conducted by researchers at Clemson University and the College of Charleston, sent guinea fowl out along both slippery and rough surfaces to see how they would react. Researchers expect the results will help humans, especially the elderly, to avoid falls when walking across slippery surfaces.
This article about the research study is found at the Newsroom at the Clemson University website.
Make plans now to join us for our 6th Annual GFIA Guinea Fowl Conference to be held this year in West Fork, Arkansas, USA, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 8-10. West Fork is located just outside of Fayetteville, AR.
The conference will be hosted by Terrell Spencer, Poultry Specialist with NCAT (National Center for Appropriate Technology) in Fayetteville.
Dr. Anton Reiner of the University of Tennessee, who is a specialist in bird brain anatomy, will also be speaking at the conference.
We will be updating the information about the conference as plans become finalized.
Two guinea fowl spotted on Murray Boulevard in Charleston, SC, prompted this charming commentary on guineas that ends with a surprise discovery. You can read the article at The Post and Courier website.
News that three guinea fowl hatcheries would be established in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana was announced at a workshop held in Tamale, Ghana, on Friday.
You can read about the workshop and the plans for the hatcheries in this article found at the Ghana News Agency website:
Attention current GFIA members: It's time to renew your GFIA membership for 2011!
If your renewal is already "in the mail" or "in process" on our website, we thank you! Memberships are good for each calendar year, and anyone who joins after September 1 of each year continues their membership through the following year. If you haven't renewed since September 1, 2010, you need to renew NOW to continue to receive all of the benefits of membership described on our homepage or on our membership page.
The GFIA is a nonprofit organization, based in Texas, USA; and all of our officers are non-paid volunteers. All membership dues collected from our members go directly to pay for items and services (such as our website and annual conferences) essential to keeping the GFIA a viable, active organization with an Internet presence that allows for convenient interaction with the public. You can be assured that your money will be put to good use to help educate those who are interested in learning the best ways to care for backyard flocks of guinea fowl.
Renewing your membership is easy with our online membership renewal form. We accept payment via PayPal, or you can send us a check or money order.
Please renew your membership today!
Guineas in the News - Canada & Ghana
January 7, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Working through the Veterinarians Without Borders program, two University of Saskatchewan (Canada) veterinary medicine students spent time last summer in Upper Western Ghana helping villagers learn better ways to care for their guinea fowl. You can read about the project at thesheaf.com website, the online version of the University of Saskatchewan's newspaper, and also at the Veterinarians Without Borders website.
A guinea fowl farmer in Uganda claims that raising guineas is easier than raising chickens and is more profitable. Read about Hawa Mugisha's ideas on rearing guineas in this article found at the allAfrica.com website.
Guineas in the News - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
December 7, 2010 at 01:33 PM
Due to a roof collapse caused by heavy snowfall, Fred Hyde of Lincoln is hoping to find new homes for his 80 chickens and 12 guineas before they fall victim to foxes and other predators. He's hoping the guineas, which are 9 months old, can all be placed together.
You can read about the "homeless" fowl in this article found at the This is Lincolnshire website:
Looking for a holiday gift idea for someone who loves guinea fowl? How about a one-year membership in the GFIA? Single, Family, and Junior (Age 15 and under) memberships can be purchased online or by mail.
Junior memberships are only $5. What a great stocking stuffer for a youngster who has shown an interest in guineas!
Guineas in the News - Minnesota, USA
October 2, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Do you live in Willmar, MN? Are you missing some guineas? Then you might be interested in this article found on the West Central Tribune website. Four guinea fowl were sighted along 19th Avenue Southwest. Hopefully, they've found their way home by now.
Residents in the town of El Campo, Texas, are divided concerning the fate of a flock of guineas. If anyone near El Campo has guinea fowl experience and would like to help capture the birds or has any suggestions, please contact the GFIA by emailing io@guineafowlinternational.org, and we will put you in contact with someone in El Campo who is trying to save the guineas.
This article can be found at the El Campo Leader-News website.
The Guinea Fowl International Association now has a page on Facebook where you can interact with GFIA members and other guinea fowl enthusiasts. Join us to view pictures, share stories, and ask questions! It's a great place to start your guinea fowl adventure.
One of the problems some guinea fowl owners can face is neighbor complaints about the noise. Fortunately, most neighbors realize the bug-eating benefits of having guinea fowl around far outweigh any noise that they make. You can read about the conflict a Colchester, CT, guinea fowl keeper is having with one of her neighbors at the Norwich Bulletin website.
A guinea fowl has been photographed while wandering in a St. Helens neighborhood, and an effort is being made to find and capture him so he can be returned to his owner. You can read about the escaped guinea on the St. Helens Reporter website.
Guineas in the News - British Columbia, Canada (Update)
June 23, 2010 at 08:59 AM
An organic farmer from the farming community of Glenora, BC, is defending his right to farm as a result of a noise complaint concerning his guinea fowl that was submitted by a neighbor who lives across the street. The Farm Industry Review Board has heard the complaint and is expected to issue its ruling shortly. This article is found at the Canada.com website.
The Farm Industry Review Board has reached a decision about the noise complaint and has ruled in favor of the Glenora farmer. Comments on the ruling can be found in this article found on the Canada.com website.
A wandering guinea fowl, first thought to be a wild turkey, has attracted a lot of attention in a Bowmanville, Ontario, neighborhood. A breeder has left contact information with the residents of the area in hopes that she will be notified when somebody sees the elusive guinea hen again. You can read this article on the durhamregion.com website.
Thanks to a caring woman who lives in the Highland section of Salem, a feral guinea fowl that had been roaming free in the neighborhood for about 2 years has been placed in a new home. Code Officers had no choice but to have the bird captured and auctioned off after receiving a complaint from someone in the neighborhood. You can read the article and view a video of Hank (or Big Bird) on the Statesman Journal website.
Research conducted on guinea fowl and pheasants at the Royal Veterinary College has discovered a new unconventional gait that the birds utilize at certain speeds and step lengths. This research could prove helpful to improve the efficiency of bipedal robots. This article can be found on the Free Press Release website.
Guineas in the News (Update) - Worcestershire, United Kingdom
May 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM
A surprising hatch of a chicken-guinea fowl hybrid with four wings has occurred in Defford, Worcestershire, UK. Read about Tulip, the guin, in this article at the MailOnline website.
Police are now investigating the theft of the guinea fowl that fathered the four-winged hybrid guin. The guinea was stolen soon after the hatch was reported in the news. You'll find this article on the EveshamJournal website.
The GFIA Annual Meeting was held in Lexington, Texas, USA, on March 28, 2010. You may view the minutes here or by going to the Fifth Annual GFIA Conference page, which is accessible by clicking on the "GFIA Conferences" link in the menu on the left side of this page.
Guinea Decals
March 24, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Share your love of guineas - Order yours today!
These decals are suitable for your car, home or office window. 6" x 6" made of perforated vinyl (so you can see through it, like through a screen door yet the guinea head is brightly visible to those outside your window).
Available now for $5 USD each plus $1.50 USD shipping for 1-10 decals.
French guinea fowl producers are launching a major campaign hoping to boost sales of guinea fowl in the UK. You can read about the campaign in this article found on The Online Meat Trades Journal website, meatinfo.co.uk.
A new brochure featuring information about our organization and how to join is now available for download. Please feel free to print out copies to distribute to your local area feed stores or to hand out at poultry shows or swap meets. Help us spread the word about the GFIA! If you are unable to print out copies on your own computer, please contact us, and we would be happy to mail some out to you.
Guineas in the News (Update) - Eastern Cape, South Africa
February 22, 2010 at 11:31 AM
An upsetting incident has occurred in Port Elizabeth, where it is suspected that a flock of 40 wild guinea fowl have been poisoned. You can read about this sad story and also view a video at The Weekend Post website.
Apparently, test results have concluded that the deaths were not caused by pesticide poisoning. More testing is now being conducted. Read about the findings in this Weekend Post article:
The dates have been set for the 5th Annual Guinea Fowl International Conference! Please join us on Friday, March 26, through Sunday, March 28, for a fun-filled weekend in Lexington, Texas, USA. All are welcome to attend! Membership in GFIA is not required to participate. Come meet fellow guinea fowl enthusiasts, exchange ideas about raising guineas, and learn more about caring for a backyard guinea flock at the various seminars that are planned.
Go to the GFIA Conferences page to find out more about the conference. Additional information will be posted soon, including registration forms and the planned agenda.
The annual GFIA Conferences are always enjoyable and educational events meant to bring those with a fondness for guinea fowl together. Come meet up with old friends and make some new ones! We look forward to seeing you there!
Guineas in the News - Oregon, USA
January 5, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Research conducted on the guinea fowl's ability to easily run over rough terrain has led scientists to look into how other creatures, including cockroaches, utilize their legs to get around. These findings are helping scientists create robots that can move more efficiently over various surfaces. You can read about these studies in an article found in the Technology & Science section of the MSNBC website.
Looking for a last-minute gift idea for a fellow guinea fowl enthusiast? How about a one-year membership in the GFIA?
You can apply online for a gift membership and conveniently pay via PayPal by going to our Membership page. Single, family, and junior (age 15 and under) memberships are available. A Junior membership costs only $5 USD. What a nice, yet inexpensive, way to encourage a youngster who has shown an interest in guinea fowl!
Guineas in the News - New York, USA
September 30, 2009 at 01:22 PM
A small flock of guinea fowl are being put to work at Squiretown Park in Hampton Bays, New York, USA, in an effort to help control the tick population. You can read The Southhampton Press article about the successful project at the 27east.com website.
There have been several recent additions to the GFIA website!
Learn about training your guinea fowl to return to the coop; watch a few enjoyable episodes of "Guinea Fowl TV;" or read the true story of Ranger, a lonesome coral blue guinea, who's determined to find a new home.
The newest updates can be viewed by clicking on "Articles & Activities" in the menu to the left.
Anyone who would like to submit an article or story to be considered for publication on this site, please send it along to president@guineafowlinternational.org. We'd love to see stories about your guineas or articles dealing with any aspect of raising guinea fowl. Your experience can help others!
Guineas in the News - Pennsylvania, USA
August 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Read this story from The Philadelphia Inquirer and found on the philly.com website about Tildy, a wounded guinea fowl that has had such a positive influence on a community just west of Chadds Ford, PA, USA.
A plea is going out for the owners of a small flock of guinea fowl to come get their birds. The guinea fowl have been causing some concern in a Canton, Ohio, neighborhood. You can read about the situation in this article found at the CantonRep.com website:
The Guinea Fowl Farmers Association in Ghana is accepting support from various government and nongovernment agencies in the region in its efforts to help reduce poverty in Northern Ghana. This article found on the Ghana News Agency website discusses the goals of the new association and how it is planned to achieve them.
At its last general meeting, GFIA saw the need for a more versatile logo – one that could be printed in black-and-white, screen-printed, or embroidered. We contacted Andrea Feathers, an artist well-known for her humorous take on poultry (www.andreafeathers.com), and she happily took on the challenge. We were pleased with the results, and we're now sporting a new logo! We still have some adjusting to do as to size and placement on the website, so feedback is much appreciated. Tell us what you think!
Guineas in the News - Delaware, USA
March 26, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Nothing better than a news article about our very own upcoming Guinea Fowl Conference! Read about what to expect if you attend and how this year's conference location was chosen in this article found at the Coastal Point website.
The Guinea Fowl Farmers Association in Ghana is hoping to obtain support from government agencies and non-government organizations in their efforts to reduce poverty in the region. Read about their plea for help in this article found on the Ghanaweb.com website.
Effective immediately, there will not be a charge for nonmember guinea fowl breeders to be placed on our Guinea Fowl Breeders List. As always, Guinea Fowl International Association members can be added to the list for no additional fees.
Demand is growing for guinea fowl as many homeowners and backyard poultry enthusiasts are looking for natural ways to control insects and ticks. Often it can be hard to find guinea fowl keets, adult guinea fowl, or guinea fowl hatching eggs in their local area. We hope that by offering free advertising more guinea fowl owners will ask to be placed on our Breeders List and offer the public what they are looking for.
The GFIA Guinea Fowl Breeders List is open to anyone who has guinea fowl keets, adults, or hatching eggs for sale.
Dr. Brigid McCrea, Delaware State University Poultry Specialist, has prepared a brochure for this year's Annual Guinea Fowl Conference to be held at the Carvel Research & Education Center in Georgetown, DE, USA. The brochure includes conference details, agenda, and speaker profiles. It is available as a PDF document (715 KB, 2 pages) and may be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Please feel free to make copies of the brochure and hand them out to anyone who would like to attend the conference or to any poultry enthusiasts who would like to know more about the Guinea Fowl International Association. Be sure to let everyone know that they can register for the conference online by visiting this website.
Thanks for helping us spread the word about the GFIA!
Registrations Now Being Accepted for our 4th Annual Conference!
February 12, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Online and mail-in registration forms for our 2009 Guinea Fowl Conference are now available. Please visit our Conferences page to access the registration forms and to learn more about the conference.
Time to renew your GFIA membership!
February 9, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Just a gentle reminder that all GFIA members who joined prior to Labor Day in 2008 need to renew their memberships now for 2009 if they haven't already done so. Memberships are renewable on January 1st of each year.
All breeders who would like to remain on our online Guinea Fowl Breeders List must have paid for a 2009 membership or paid the fee for a 2009 nonmember listing. The Breeders List will be updated immediately after our conference in April.
We are very grateful for all of the support we have received from our members this past year, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with all of our past members and welcoming many new ones in the year ahead!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us and we will try to help as best as we can. Your thoughts and suggestions are important to us, and we value your input! Working together we can build a better organization and help to spread the word about the benefits and the joys of keeping guinea fowl!
Registration Fees Set for 2009 GFIA Conference
January 31, 2009 at 10:52 PM
The fees to register for the Fourth Annual GFIA Guinea Fowl Conference to be held in April 2009 have been set at a discounted rate of $35 for GFIA members and $45 for nonmembers. Registration forms for the conference will be available online in the near future. Check back soon to register and to read the latest news about the conference.
This is a disturbing story found on the Whitby Gazette website about an attack on a Danby couple's pet guinea fowl that was most likely conducted by a group of local youths.
Here's a recent article about a young man living in the Mahalapye Sub-District of Botswana who has started a successful guinea fowl raising project with the help of funds he received from the Department of Culture and Youth. You can read about Mr. Kanokang's venture at the Republic of Botswana website.
According to a recent article published in the Journal of General Virology, researchers at the University of Maryland tested a vaccine on mice that was derived from the H9N2 strain of avian flu that infects guinea fowl. Results showed that this vaccine can be used to help protect various species of birds and mammals from highly pathogenic strains of the flu. Read about this promising news in an article found on the Science Daily website.
