Guinea alarm system

[Suziers]

I've been reading up on guinea fowl over the last few days. I've read that they can be decent watch dogs in the chicken yard. I'm trying to figure out if it would make sense to have a few guinea fowl in our yard with the darn hawk swooping anytime I let the chickens range.

Can the guinea fowl free range without worrying about hawks (when they are adults)? Do they sound an alarm that helps warn the chickens? Or does the noise scare the hawks away? Do they physically try to chase off the hawk? Or is it all about the noise?

I'm just trying to see if their abilities are worth the extra time and energy that will be involved in bringing some new livestock into my urban farm.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[mediazeal]

You say URBAN Farm
Guineas are really really noisy
and startle at almost anything (car parks in driveway, dog walks by out front, as well as attacks or actual threats)
they have a pretty piercing cry when startled
A group of them would make a racket and they will not stay in your yard. They like to range over as much as 5 acres.
I wanted them but decided against them because of living in a neighborhood.
good luck

 

[Bridget399]

You can try posting it in the Guinea section. I've been thinking about getting some myself. I am interested in what responses you get.

 

[embkm]

I think it depends on how many guinea you were thinking of getting and where you live. I have one guinea hen. My 4yo really wanted her. I had heard they are good for bugs and watch birds. Then I heard they can kill snakes, so I was pretty happy.

In reality... I live in a subdivision. She stays in the run with the chickens, so there isn't much benefit with the bug eating. We have wandering neighbors' dogs that she never alerts to. The rooster does that. And she didn't let out the faintest warning and she was in the farthest corner of the run when the 6ft black snake was muching out on the eggs in the nest box. She also shrieks at ear-peircing decibles if I make any moves to try to touch her.

Would I recommend guineas? It depends.. when I am finally able to buy the farm I want, Yes I will have guineas. When I can let them wander and eat all the bugs they want. In an area where I have neighbors? No. My roosters are a bigger benefit and annoy my neighbors less than the lone guinea.

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
I really don't know about guineas and hawks. I do know that mine have fallen prey to my neighbor's dogs at one time. They do make an awful lot of noise when something's up and that will alert you. When hawks fly overhead I just send my dogs out and that makes them fly away.

But, they're really good bug predators

I think that in itself is worth your time and energy. I find they make a good team when bug eating. My chickens tend to scratch for bugs. My guineas tend to pasture for bugs.

 

[redbaron68]

Thus far, my experience with Guineas would not suggest they're the best plan to ward off birds of prey. We have about 7 acres in a fairly wooded area. the Guineas had the run of the area....Over the last three years, i've raised 6 guineas, having just lost the last one in May. She was my survivor (i had to keep adding more to keep her company) but in the end, she could not keep herself safe, much less the rest of my small flock (4-6 hens). After the latest "abductions" l've given up.
Before that though, i know i lost at least two hens to eagles/hawks right in my yard, with Guineas present! My belief is that Guineas are less vulnerable but not by much. Also, 95% of the time the Guineas roosted inside a secure coop with the others. Daytime, they'd free range. They can be noisy, but i found it to be less so if there were at least 3 together in any given time....a lone Guinea is no picnic. Particularly a female, she'll bleat, bleat for a male or at least another Guinea. As much as i loved having them, at this point I feel as if they're just feeding my local wildlife in Maine. I miss their crazy antics and the "tick patrol" they afforded to us.... Good luck with your decision.