Guinea Hens & Wildlife

[varidgerunner]

Would probably be cheaper and less messy to rig up an electric motor that would drag an empty fifty five gallon barrel around in a circle on concrete 24 hours a day if you really want to experience the joys of guineas. And get some chickens for tick control, which they perform just as well and have the good sense to be quiet at night.

 

[Fishkeeper]

The local zoo has a free-range flock. They're a rescue zoo and used to take in poultry. Noisy little birds, but not too bad when they have room to move away from you.
Now, peacocks? They have a dozen male peacocks. I'm told it's something of a pain in the butt during courtship season. Granted, they sell the dropped tail feathers for $1 each in the gift shop, so each male earns his feed after he's done with his tail, but still. Loud buggers.

 

[TheHighlandChick01]

I was advised that it's best to have at least 5-6.

Awesome, thank you for the additional info!!

 

[TheHighlandChick01]

Guineas will, however, kill every lizard, frog, toad, and small snake that they find. They may gang up on and violently kill larger snakes, and will probably have a go at mice and maybe even newborn rabbits if they find any. Vicious little dinosaurs.

We live in an area where there are rattlesnakes & we’ve been told Guineas are amazing in terms of scaring them away. Fingers crossed...

 

[varidgerunner]

We have rattlesnakes. They are native. Never saw the guineas pay any attention to them in the yard. They were generally too busy screaming at an out of place bucket or pooping on a car. Or at the neighbors. After careful consideration, I would much rather have the snakes. I have suffered far less physical and material damage from snakes in my life compared to guineas. Peeled paint, scratched cornea, broken house window, and many sleepless nights.

 

[Julesstarohio56]

Those are hilarious descriptions, varidgerunner! My husband wants guineas as guard birds for our new chickens. The chicks are already funny and I’m not sure I want guineas being loud outside our bedroom door, which is nearest the coop. I’d rather have a good dog, but he doesn’t want that. He’s too good to me to be a diva to him. Should be interesting!

 

[GwynniesHennies]

We are thinking about getting some Guinea Hens & we’re wondering if they would go after (chase, hurt or scare away) wildlife in our yard including wild bunnies & birds. Thoughts?

We have 3, and they are terrified of anything that isn't one of them. They scream when separated or scared. They do warn us, loudly, of chicken hawks and predators in the area, though.

 

[ColtHandorf]

"Would probably be cheaper and less messy to rig up an electric motor that would drag an empty fifty five gallon barrel around in a circle on concrete 24 hours a day if you really want to experience the joys of guineas."

I literally laughed out loud at work. I enjoyed my guineas but they are loud...