Guinea hens were not raised by the Leonis family but were brought here in the 1960s when the Leonis Adobe was saved from demolition and transformed into a museum and ranch.
Guinea fowl are unique looking birds originally native to Africa and can also be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. They were introduced to Europe in the 1400s and eventually made their way to America about 100 years later. The three main varieties of guinea foul raised in the United States today are Pearl, White, and Lavender. The most common and recognizable variety is the Pearl Guinea, the type raised here at the Leonis Adobe Ranch. They have beautifully spotted feathers and weigh about 4 pounds at maturity.
They are a wonderful option for natural pest control as they hunt for ticks, fleas, beetles, and other destructive insects. Guinea fowl are also fantastic watchdogs and provide great security, sounding off when strangers or intruders approach. They provide eggs and meat that is considered a delicacy and is less fatty and lower in cholesterol than chicken. They protect other farm animals and are relatively low maintenance and disease-free. As a bonus, they are quite entertaining and fun to watch!