Chickens or Guineas?

[Bettacreek]

So, the BF has cracked and mentioned getting guineas to eat the ticks around here. His brother said to get chickens instead, so that we'd get eggs. Personally, I like the idea of "free" free-range eggs from chickens. I want to know which would be best suited for us. Our situation: We live by a road, but fortunately, it's a 25mph speed limit (that people obey), and everyone is curteous to the chickens (there're several free-rangers down the road, but they're not really close to us, not close enough that our chickens and their chickens would mix. We have a wooded lot beside us and free-ranging cats. The wooded lot is nothing to be overly concerned about with predators, but, across the river, we do have coyotes, bear and such. We haven't seen any in a long time (since the guys put up bears as targets, lol), but I worry a bit about it. So, anyone know, which would be better for us? We do have neighbors, so I worry about the noise from guineas. Any tips or hints?

 

[silkydragon]

guineas would lay eggs too but they are very noisy and a few hens might be better just becouse they dont squawk at a change in temp

 

[speckledhen]

Guineas are seasonal layers and they lay a huge clutch, then sit on them. If you want more consistent egg production, chickens are the way to go. Sometimes having both is a dicey proposition since guineas have really different ways of doing things and sometimes, will be very aggressive toward chickens and roosters, especially.

 

[Bettacreek]

Alright, I think we're going with chooks. I like the cornish bantams, showgirls, mille fleur d'uccles and bantam cochins. Any reasons to exclude any of these breeds? I'm trying to narrow it down to one breed.

 

[purr]

why must you choose? get some of each!

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

I have both. I think the guineas are better for bug control. They are better at free ranging and avoiding predators. They are loud enough to alert you to problems, such as strange dogs and trepassers.

My advice would be to raise them separately from the chickens. As in a different coop. Then they tend to go their own way, and don't spend much time with the chickens.

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
I really would love to, but I would worry about mixing everyone. If I can collect eggs (crossing my fingers) I'd like to be able to hatch/sell them. Especially if I get the cornish bantams, they'd make excellent little munchies. Anyways, I try to keep everyone here self-sufficient. I try to make everyone pay for their own expenses.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
I really would love to, but I would worry about mixing everyone. If I can collect eggs (crossing my fingers) I'd like to be able to hatch/sell them. Especially if I get the cornish bantams, they'd make excellent little munchies. Anyways, I try to keep everyone here self-sufficient. I try to make everyone pay for their own expenses.

Bantams will need to have heat in the winter. And you live in Pennsylvania, so that would mean deffently! I would go with a larger bird. But I do NOT like Guines. Too loud and ugly and skidish. And they have to be tought where there home is, or they will take off on you.

But chickens are great!!! I have several large girls and a whole bunch just hatched babies. I love them!

 

[Bettacreek]

Hrmph. I don't have a problem bringing the cornish bantams in during the winter (or I hope that I wouldn't). I will have to bring my other birds in as well. I guess I could always go with a few cornish bantams (like a trio or quad) AND some type of RIR or similar. I can get the random breed from the salebarn, and pay minimal costs. Would I have to hatch them all out from egg, or would started chicks be fine?

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
You could do either. Just make sure they are fully feathered before you put them outside.