Do guineas need a coop?

[MissPrissy]

MD, you are too much!

 

[deeszoo]

Yes, guineas can breed with chickens but they do so very rarely. And it is even more rare that the egg actually get fertilized.

My guineas live with my chickens and free range. However, they can be rather mean to the smaller chickens - especially the silkies. Of course, I have seen the geese get ahold of them and flog them pretty good for being too bold. So, it can balance out. But, they are much more aggressive than chickens so you have to be careful.

 

[Pelican49]

When I get moved I'll be on 5 acres, there are neighbors on both sides, each also with 5 acres. The guinea coop would be just about center on my 5 acres. Just how noisy are they? Will they drive my neighbors crazy?

 

[TheMartianChick]

We only had 5 guineas on 3 acres and most of our property was out behind us, so we actually had 4 neighbors that were fairly close... Three were across the street and one was down the hill a little bit. We never had any complaints about our guineas being noisy. I'm not sure that they even knew that we had them. We always heard them because we were actually listening for their alarm.

 

[Pelican49]

Quote:
Thanks Martian... The ticks are horrid out there, but I don't want to resort to chemicals. Guess I'll just give them a try and see how it goes.

 

[DougD]

I have read that Guineas are more noisy their first year.
I do know from having them, they make most of their noise when alarmed and at dusk.
They are quiet after dark so they don't bother anyone trying to sleep.

For some reason guineas seem to be louder then roosters up close, especially a bunch of them,
but the sound from a rooster crowing seems to carry further.

In New England the biggest danger to a guinea roosting outside at night is probably from Owls. During the day, they are in danger from the same predators as chickens, but can often fly up out of reach.

oh, and a guinea and chicken cross should be sterile.

 

[werblessd1s]

My parents have some free range guineas. They roost in the same tree every night, which is beside chicken pen. They make excellent guard dogs.

 

[tinman9952]

If spring ever comes, i was considering trying a couple guineas when i order new chicks. Can they be raised along with chickens? same starter feed, same housing? I am more interested in their watch-dog abilities than their eggs, so was considering letting them free range till next winter and then putting them in the chicken coup. will they co-exist ok?

 

[Pelican49]

they make most of their noise when alarmed and at dusk.
They are quiet after dark so they don't bother anyone trying to sleep.

For some reason guineas seem to be louder then roosters up close, especially a bunch of them,
but the sound from a rooster crowing seems to carry further.

Thanks Doug, just what I needed. I'll be looking at Guineas for sure. I saw pictures of the pied, they are so pretty!

 

[MissPrissy]

My guineas free range. I love to see them mving across the feild. Once you get used to them it is all background noise.