Free Range Guineas?

[Lilorp14]

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Another question. Is this apple orchard sprayed? Whatever chemicals used might determine if guineas should be placed there. If its an organic orchard it may work.
If your friend builds a coop, buys keets, raises them in that coop, maybe this is a good plan for tick control.
It would be important that the guineas return to the coop at night to roost safely. I say start with keets because adult guineas tend to wander and may not recognize a new place as home for some time. I was given a flock of adults once, and after a month in the run i let them out with the chickens and 6 went walk about. Last seen 2 miles from my house. Never seen again. Probably went to roosting in trees and picked off one by one.

I'm pretty sure it's organic, or if they do spray it it's with some homemade non -toxic concoction.

 

[Lilorp14]

Like i said before, if they have keets, the whole flock can become very protective, with reason! I have had free ranging guineas for years, and when ever people come here they are always a source of entertainment and wonder to people who know nothing about them. I have a yard sale on my front lawn every year or two and people are very crurious about them, taking pictures, asking me if they can keep stray feathers they find, and asking alot of questions like; What kind of chicken is that? Or Is that a pairie chicken? Or they will hear the guinea before they see them and look a little allarmed or concerned about what is making the noise.
So i see this as a plus for your friends u pick orchard, providing the flock does not have young keets.
I had one female guiney hatch a clutch of keets once, and the entire flock became serigate parents, ultra loud and on edge. We have a stand of blue spruce and one day the guineas were making ear spliting noise, and when we looked out there was a coyote facing off with the flock. He would step twards them and they would move away but not run (keets somewhere close). The coyote was laying his ears back in a way that dogs do when a noise bothers them and he would then back up. So back and forth they went, meanwhile giving my husband time to grab the rifle and dispatch him.

Sorry, I'm a bit confused by your reply. Is them being territorial a pro or con? Sorry

 

[Lilorp14]

Also, forgot to ask this, so they return to their coop at night? I've heard a lot of 'I have to pick them out of the trees every night', is that true?

 

[50-45-1]

Just to say that they are great in many ways, but be aware, like many parents of most species including us humans, caution if they have keets as they are fericious defenders of there young during that time.

 

[50-45-1]

lot of 'I have to pick them out of the trees every night', is that true?

If they are raised in a coop of sufficient size with roosts high. And if they feel safe there. There should be no roosting in trees. If they go to the trees something is wrong, like maybe not enough roost space for everyone, or someone is bullied with no mercy.
Once i had a racoon get in my coop an kill a couple birds. NO BODY chicken or guinea wanted to go in for the next week.