Are Guinea Fowl Right For Us?

[Spark]

I just recently started researching guinea fowl and had a few questions. I'd love to get some, but I'm not sure if they're suited for us.

- Our five chickens are around 9 months old now. If I got a keet would I be able to introduce it to the flock later? Our coop really only has room for 1-2 more birds at the most. Would I be better off getting two keets, or say a keet and a chick so they grow up together? Would they all roost in the same coop?

- How far do guinea fowl roam? Would they stay in our yard? Our shortest fence is only about 4 feet high, so I'm sure they could easily scale it.

- We do occasionally have red-tailed hawks and stray cats (although our dog usually deters them.) How good are guinea fowl at detecting/avoiding predators?

- We have a major tick/flea problem in the summer time, complete with other pests like slugs, mosquitos, etc. We originally got our five chickens to deal with the bugs, but they destroy our garden in seconds flat. Will guinea fowl leave the plants alone?

- Last but not least, we're in NY. Would the winters be too cold for them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lesa]

If you go over to easygardener you will find a thread concerning this very topic. I keep thinking guineas are the answer to organic gardening. I get tired of picking bugs off my veggies... It seems that guineas often do not get along with chickens. They are obnoxiously loud- alert to everything. They do not destroy the garden, but may sample a few bites of ripe veggies. They do not stay at home very well. I am in NY as well, and I can't seem to find out about the cold. They do love ticks and bugs of all kinds. Good luck!

 

[Spark]

Thanks! I'll check out easygardener too.

 

[STEPHANIELAUREN]

- Our five chickens are around 9 months old now. If I got a keet would I be able to introduce it to the flock later? Our coop really only has room for 1-2 more birds at the most. Would I be better off getting two keets, or say a keet and a chick so they grow up together? Would they all roost in the same coop?


I bought my first guinea as an adult and stuck her in the coop with the chickens, they all got alone great and she went right up to roost in the coop with them the first night.

- How far do guinea fowl roam? Would they stay in our yard? Our shortest fence is only about 4 feet high, so I'm sure they could easily scale it.

They are great flyers and can fly very high up so you would probably have to clip one wing a little lol

- We do occasionally have red-tailed hawks and stray cats (although our dog usually deters them.) How good are guinea fowl at detecting/avoiding predators?

That is the exact reason we got our guinea because of all the hawks around, and i have not lost one chicken to a hawk since, she sets off the alarm and they all go running for cover

- We have a major tick/flea problem in the summer time, complete with other pests like slugs, mosquitos, etc. We originally got our five chickens to deal with the bugs, but they destroy our garden in seconds flat. Will guinea fowl leave the plants alone?


Guineas are perfect for ticks, slugs, snakes etc.

- Last but not least, we're in NY. Would the winters be too cold for them?


no idea about the cold since im in florida lol


im no guinea expert but i just thought id share my exeperiences with you lol

 

[Katy]

Quote:

 

[robin416]

raiderbabe said the one thing you need to know, she. The fact that a female was added is the most important factor for chickens and their harmony.

They do quite well in the cold. We've had several nights of single digit temps without issue.

They fly quite well, but if the birds is acclimated to the flock the likelihood of over flying the fence is greatly reduced. Mine never fly over the fence here. But I'm on a large piece of land so they have plenty of roaming space.

Fleas abatement? Not so much. Ticks, yes.

Predator threats? As a decent flock size they will chase off interlopers of any size, including deer.

 

[Cacklin" Hens]

Quote:
Never get just one of any bird. If i were you i would let my guineas roam free. That is what mine do 24/7. If you keep the guineas penned while they are young they won't roam far. Also they won't mess with your plants like guineas. Also NY winters isn't to cold, guineas are very hardy. Hope this helps