Ducks vs. Guineas

[hcammack]

yup they lay nice eggs and adult guinea is not that much smaller thank a chicken

 

[MissPrissy]

Guinea eggs are like chicken eggs. They taste just fine.

With ducks their poops are super messy. The like and need water. They need deep water to keep their nares clean. If you give them a small wading pool they will love it and spend more time playing in the water than foraging for bugs and worm. Did I tell you how very messy they are?

Guineas, are loud. They are as loud as ducks are messy. However the range well, can fly away from a predator and seem to be a bit more aloof. after about 4 months of age they do better being left alone to their own devices. A little feed to keep them coming home and they tend themselves.

Honestly, unless you are prepared for the mess - extreme mess- with ducks you might seriously consider the guineas if it has to be a choice.

Did I fail to tell you how messy ducks are?

MarlinChaser may still have some keets.

 

[palabeco]

Quote:
Ducks are messy in the brooder, once they get outside it's not so bad. I have 3 peking ducks, and they have a kiddie pool, they are not in it all the time, although you do need to change the water every other day. All my chicks and ducks free range, but I do have a run, and the ducks stay in the run at night with a little leanto type thing to go under in bad weather. Before it got warm, I did put them in the coop with the chickens at night (vinyl flooring,so water on the floor wasn't a problem, just removed the wet bedding). This fall I will build them their own little house to go into.

 

[birdnutz]

I have bantam call ducks and guineas. Heres my thoughts on both. Guineas are more self sufficent than ducks. Both can be loud. Guineas would make better buggers than ducks,but have been known to be chicken killers. My ducks tend to stick to themselves and leave everyone else alone. They also tend to interact more with me. I prefer ducks.

 

[Bluedog420]

If it ain't a French Guinea, it's just a guinea

 

[conny63malies]

Quote:
Ducks are messy in the brooder, once they get outside it's not so bad. I have 3 peking ducks, and they have a kiddie pool, they are not in it all the time, although you do need to change the water every other day. All my chicks and ducks free range, but I do have a run, and the ducks stay in the run at night with a little leanto type thing to go under in bad weather. Before it got warm, I did put them in the coop with the chickens at night (vinyl flooring,so water on the floor wasn't a problem, just removed the wet bedding). This fall I will build them their own little house to go into.

So true. my scovies are no problem in the backyard at all. they catch bugs, dont make a noise and you cant even smell them or find poop. they are all sudden super friendly too, with the help of surplus boiled noodles. get ducks

 

[MissPrissy]

It is getting the ducks to an age they can come out of the brooder and free range. It doesn't happen over night. They need a few weeks of care at which point they are super messy and need alot of attn and care.

I am raising appleyards. They are big and their poops are big. One the 2 acres they live on you can spot the poops easily. but then I have 19 ducks running around as well as 15 geese.

Quote:
Either you are attempting humor or I am misreading you -

It's all Africa. Frech Guinea is in West Africa. Guineas are from Africa. The french breeding stock is african in origin.

Not trying to start an arguement but only trying to make something more clear.

Guinea Fowl originated in the dry regions of Africa, and were introduced to the United States before the Civil War. The demand for Guinea Hens is increasing as they are becoming known for their tender, lean meat.

This French Guinea breed is often raised for meat as the birds grow twice as fast and are about 2 pounds heavier than the common Guinea Fowl. Their dark meat is demanded by many restaurants.
Guinea Hens have a standing reputation for their "watch dog" personalities and for their helpfulness in reducing the insect population, including ticks. The delicatelly speckled eggs hatch into young birds called "keets." Keets mature into birds known for their unique ornamental value. After the keets have grown past two weeks old, they are one of the hardiest domestic fowl.

All photos show a giant pearl guinea. Nothing special about the 'french' part.

I raise the giant pearl guineas. At 4 months old they weigh in at 3 lbs.

They do eat better than any other guinea fowl.​

 

[Bluedog420]

I think the French are the biggest of all guinea's and they stay around alot better than the smaller type....been there and i know....Peace

 

[sara]

Quote:
I tend to disagree with you. Ducks are really messy in the brooder, and they stay really messy outside. They will turn water in a kiddie pool to brown yuck in a matter of hours from taking food to the water and pooping in it. They have even made my pond slightly disgusting. It doesn't bother me because it was made for me as a duck pond, but it is big, Much larger than your average above ground swimming pool. They poop everywhere. They are just messy critters, but I love them.

 

[Paegglvr]

You can't really under estimate the amount that ducks poop! I have a cayuga and pekin.... and they definately can "out-poop" my whole flock of chickens. My wife is not a fan but I love my ducks! They make up for it in being funny, cute, and personable.

Not sure where in PA you are, but around me there are tons of predators so I keep them in a run. When I started the floor was dirt. The ducks quickly drained the watering pan and played in the mud. So i threw down some grass seed and straw and its much less messy. I find that just moving the watering dish around daily keep one area of the pen from getting wet and nasty.

It's pretty true about the mess (I was video-taping my ducks, when I was done I noticed that somehow poop even managed to get on the lens!!!) so you'll probably need to clean up after them more than other poultry, but they're darn cute.