Linda says her "blues" are as tame as the helmeted guinea fowl and will eat right out of her hands.  They have a call quite unlike the other guineas, softer and more peaceful.  The vulturines do not lay eggs until their second season, and when Linda has eggs or keets become available for sale, they will be listed in the Guinea Fowl General Store on the BREEDER'S LIST. 

The following quoted information was provided by Linda:

"Vulturine Guineas – of the guinea family, come from the plains of Africa.   More wild than domestic guineas, generally do not start to lay until 2 years old.  They are brilliantly colored with cobalt blue chest, have red eyes, and a senna colored afro. The skin on their heads and neck are also blue.  Males and females look identical and must be sexed by DNA or unless one lays eggs.  They make cute little chirping noises like the lizards in the Jurassic Park movie, then when irritated or scared, have a high screeching sound.  They are very curious and will often come and eat their favorite treat, mealworms, out of your hand.  They stress easily and must have a large pen to move around."

Feeding: 
For six adult birds, there is a chicken feeder filled with medicated Turkey Grow Crumbles, kept full at all times.  A flake of Alfalfa available all the time and automatic waterer, cleaned daily.  I cook once a week, the following:  1 ½ cups brown rice, ½ cup lentils, ½ cup split peas (their favorite), and ½ cup wheat (because I bought a ton of it for my geese for the breeding boost of Vit. E or wheat germ oil).  I add  about  3-4 cups of water and bring to a boil, then simmer with a tight fitting lid about 40 minutes, adding water if necessary.  The consistency should be a little dry, not mushy. I tried to put some popcorn corn and black beans in the above, but the birds kick it out.  When cool, place in about 5 to 7 baggies about 1 ¼  cup each, and  give  one per day, or a double batch can be made, placed in baggies and frozen, defrosted as needed.  All guineas like this mixture. They also get 2 well cooked, scrambled eggs per day, at least 6 leaves of Romaine lettuce, and 2 or 3 large slices of fruit, such as cantaloupe, watermelon, or grated apple.  They also like zucchini squash or crookneck squash, grated.  They seem to eat more in the spring.  I sprinkle ½ to 1 teaspoon of Vionate Vitamins, into either the rice mixture or egg daily.

Housing:
It is important to have adequate housing with adequate space.  Remembering that they come from a hot place in Africa, they tolerate heat well but not the cold.  To combat this problem, I had a 6 ft. by 6 ft. fully enclosed room which had a white heat lamp, on a timer, about 2 feet off the ground and roosts about 4ft. and 5ft. high. They were drawn into the room by the light, so I close them in for the night.  Next year it will be insulated and hopefully with a ground warming cable on a thermostat. They go under the heat lamp when it really gets cold, smart birds. 

 I bought two 10ft by 20ft portable carports from Costco to start with, which were about $150 each .  They must be the kind with 8 upright poles.

• We planted each pole about 2 feet in the ground
• Hooked up metal poles with framework.  Instead of using the little pins to put together, we put in bolts and nuts.
• Placed canvas over the top only and tie with ties provided.
• Laid out on the ground, strips of 1 inch chicken wire of 5 foot wide and cut them into of about 20ft lengths, (measure from side over top to other side plus 3 feet. Attach together with wire cage clips making a shroud 20 feet long by 20 feet wide.
• gently ease over framework and canvas top so there is an overhang of about 1 foot extra on each side.
• Run a 2” x 4” board on ground around bottom.  We anchored ours with 2  submerged pilings on each side.
• Approximately lay out and cut 1” chicken wire for each end with at least 1 foot overhang on bottom.
• Attach securely with cage clips to shroud of chicken wire that is over the top.
• Around perimeter lay extra cage wire on 2” by 4”s and cover with strips of plywood and nail chicken wire between the two boards.
• Make a door to fit in side, cut out opening and install  doors.

During cold weather, attach the plastic wrap around panels that come with he kit, at least making it wind proof.  Add a large box or inside solid shelter with a heat lamp.

Cold is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, at that temperature I put the heat lamp on.
Actually between 45 and 35, they get a 100 watt bulb for each pen, but as
more nights get to be around 40, they will all go together.  Put the heat tape that you buy for greenhouses, under their dirt floor to provide warmth.They cannot stand below 30 degrees.  Their feet freeze.

Each pair, during breeding season has approximately 200 sq.ft. of space and their own pen to keep track of the offsprings parentage.  During the  fall and winter, they get to stay together. 

Scroll down a bit further to see pictures of Steve Garvin's Vulturines and Vulturine Keets..  Steve also donated pictures of his Crested Guinea Fowl and crested keets.. 

Steve Garvin has donated pictures of his Crested Guinea Fowl and Crested Keets. Below is also a picture of his vulturines and crested together. 

The photos of the crested guinea fowl are for educational purposes.  Do not copy.