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Best breed to free range for tick control.

post #1 of 7
3/18/12 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 

Hi All I'm new to the forum and the world of chickens. I live out in the woods on 10 acres but I don't really have many neighbors just lots of woods.  My yard is probably 2 acres cleared and up behind me are a couple big fields.   The ticks are just relentless here.  My poor dog has 10-15 on him whenever he goes out even with advantage 2 on him.  

I've been considering guineas but worry a bit about the noise level with them as I sleep days, (work third shift), what other breeds are really good at eating ticks?  I've been researching the net and there seems to be a wide array of opinion on this.  I'd also enjoy fresh eggs but that's a secondary thought.  I'm more interested in pest control.  Ideally I'd like a breed that is good at going free range but roosts well at night and who's at least somewhat intelligent at avoiding predators.

What breeds do you guys recomend and why? Also how big of a flock do you suggest for that breed?

Any info is greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Jeff

 

 

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post #2 of 7
3/18/12 at 1:56pm

I would say guineas by far!  But since you sleep during the day and may have the guineas close to your window, that may not work for you.

I'm not aware of any one particular chicken breed that would eat ticks very well. They all like to eat bugs.

I have 7 guineas and, although they're loud, when they're not near my window I don;t really notice the noise.

I got the guineas for bug control, but they do such a great job, I was even contemplating BUYING some bugs from the petstore (crickets) so my chickens can have some bugs. idunno.gif

I have eight dogs so getting rid of ticks was my primary concern!

We have a lot of deer and ticks, and I hated picking ticks off my dogs.

I think I've seen ONE tick since I've gotten the guineas (and I've had them a year).

 

You can try getting some chickens that are good foragers (maybe barred rocks or something) and see how well that keeps the ticks away.

I would also suggest getting about three guineas to see if they are too loud for you.

If they are, you can always sell them.

 

I hope someone else can chime in about chicken breeds that are good tick eaters.

 

 

ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

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ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

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post #3 of 7
3/18/12 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I will stick with guineas. How do they do living with your chickens? Maybe I'll get a mix like you have.
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post #4 of 7
3/18/12 at 6:08pm

if you get guineas then note that if  you have guinea (hens) they will stay around your place. if you have a guinea cock with no hens, he may leave to find some hens. the only time they're noisy is when they are bothered, or when strangers come around.

 

have:  1 lovely and patient wife, 3 teenage girls, 2 dogs, 1 cat, California Valley quail, Mexican Speckled Bobwhites, Gambel quail, Speckled Sussex, Silver Sebrights, Canaries, and some exotic finches

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have:  1 lovely and patient wife, 3 teenage girls, 2 dogs, 1 cat, California Valley quail, Mexican Speckled Bobwhites, Gambel quail, Speckled Sussex, Silver Sebrights, Canaries, and some exotic finches

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post #5 of 7
3/18/12 at 6:15pm

Our guineas not only eat ticks but they did an awesome job on fleas too. When we first moved here a few years ago, we had almost 4 acres just hopping with fleas. I got 5 guineas and turned them loose and now we have none -ever! The key west chickens are awesome foragers and will eat any bug they see too.

Tropical Plant Freak with Marans: Bcm,wheaten,golden cuckoo, BBS, blue copper,barred blk tailed buff, blk tailed buff, blue/blk birchen. Lavender, white, buff, and black Orps, Silkies, Key West aka Gypsy chickens, Ameraucanas, Muscovies, Sebastapol Geese, Guineas,Gobblers, Parrots. Currently working on some exciting Key West and Marans projects. 

~Not selling eggs or chicks at this time~

 

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Tropical Plant Freak with Marans: Bcm,wheaten,golden cuckoo, BBS, blue copper,barred blk tailed buff, blk tailed buff, blue/blk birchen. Lavender, white, buff, and black Orps, Silkies, Key West aka Gypsy chickens, Ameraucanas, Muscovies, Sebastapol Geese, Guineas,Gobblers, Parrots. Currently working on some exciting Key West and Marans projects. 

~Not selling eggs or chicks at this time~

 

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post #6 of 7
3/18/12 at 8:24pm

I keep a small group of guineas with my chickens, mostly for their watch dog talents. I have found it much more pleasant to only keep female guineas, as the males were much too aggressive and terrorizing my Brahmas.  A females only group blends well with my birds. They do range more and do a great job of bugging, but I think trying to sleep during the day with windows open would get tested a few times per typical around here.  Likely keeping free range roosters near the house will test as well.

 

We got adopted by a what I suspect is an American Game hen that traveled from the neighboring farm. This old gal comes as close to fending for her self as any chicken I have ever experienced, ranges and bugs nearly as well as the guineas, very alert and aware of her suroundings.

"It just goes to show you, you don't have to be crazy to raise  Cornish,...................... but it helps."      Lewis Strait
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"It just goes to show you, you don't have to be crazy to raise  Cornish,...................... but it helps."      Lewis Strait
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post #7 of 7
3/19/12 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff532003 View Post

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I will stick with guineas. How do they do living with your chickens? Maybe I'll get a mix like you have.


My guineas get along fine with my chickens. Raise them together when you get your flock.

Because they're less domesticated than your average chicken, the guineas can be a bit more aggressive at times.

(Especially the males and especually around food.)

It's not a big deal at all; just something to understand when mixing the flocks.

For your situation you may want to start off with ONLY female guineas.

They are also great watch dogs!

I've witnessed my guineas cornering a stray dog on our property.

The dog ran from the guineas and tried to hide in the hay bale feeder.

The guineas surrounded the dog all the while sqawking very LOUD.

The dog finally made a run for the woods with all guineas in hot pursuit.

It was hilarious!

 

ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

Reply

ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

Reply
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