I currently have 9 chickens and my DH and I are interested in maybe getting guineas next. Here are a few questions: 1. Are they really super noisy? When I mention that I'm interested in guineas I always get the same reaction: Auggghhh, they're soooo noisy! 2. Can you get only 2 as babies or is like chicks and you should try to get more? 3. How well do they mix in with an established chicken flock? 4. Are the hens like chicken hens and still lay eggs without a male? 5. What do you do with the eggs?
Several of my neighbors had guinea hens and I would love seeing them foraging in my yard. Obviously they didn't LIVE with me but I noticed that they only seemed to make a lot of noise if they were startled or felt threatened. From everything I read they are great but eaters and especially love ticks. I'd be willing to put up with a little noise for some organic bug removal !
I had three Guineas, a male and two females. Last spring the females insisted on laying their nest in the woods and I could not find them at all. Some predator got them and all I have left is the male. He now thinks h is a chicken and follows one of my barred rock hens around all the time, must be the color...lol I got them as adults and kept them confined for at least 2 months in a pen so they would learn their territory and not take off, which when I let them out they did not. And Yes, they do make alot of noise but mostly when something is around such as geese will do. They are excellent watchdogs and if something is out of place you will know it. The females lay eggs no matter what and I ate them. They are smaller with a much harder shell. So now I only have the one male and as I said he is happy with the chickens!
I just got two geese that live at my guys house. We were a bit worried about them being noisy (so far they aren't) with him having neighbors not too far away. The other day his one neighbor suggested getting Guinea hens to keep with the geese so we would know if preditors were around because the guinea hens would make a lot of noise. (Made me feel better about the geese noise if the neighbor suggested something louder) Sorry my point is the first thing people say is they are noisy but it might not be too bad. My mom says they have a cute sound, noisy but cute. Do you have really close neighbors? Sorry this doesn't really answer any of your questions.
I do have neighbors on both sides of my house, as well as accross the street. So far, they don't mind my chickens, although, I only have hens and they don't make that much noise. The reason for the guineas would be to eat ticks. We've found about 5 ticks (two on my Jack Russell, one on my kitchen floor and the other two on my DH) in just the past week or two!!! And it's only May! So, would it be suggested that just getting two would be okay?
Just to answer a few of your questions. YES guineas are VERY noisey. I only had 2 and they drove me nuts, even though they were loved. They were very loud any time we walked outside or they say someone, even the neighbors getting out of their cars. I had to get rid of them because they were chasing my chickens to death. Everyone free ranged in a fenced in 3/4 acre lot, so space was not an issue. They had been raised in my flock of chickens, but as they got older they became bullies. I had to rehome them. They were going to kill my rooster. They are also large so most chickens can not defend themselves against guineas. Females will lay with out a male and you can eat their eggs. They are very good. I hope this helps. Please think twice before getting them to put with your chickens. They are nice pets, but are LOUD and can potentially harm your chickens.
Wow, they must be some serious bullies if they were picking on your rooster!!! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply.
I have 6 guineas right now - 3 boys and 3 girls. They are very home bound - always come home after free ranging, etc. Yes they can be noisy when startled or see something out of the ordinary. And the young females can cry "buckwheat" all day long and never tire. My youngest female is named "Squawkers" for obvious reasons. I would suggest an older pair (a year or older) as opposed to keats given the "buckwheat" call issue with the females. If you lived nearby I'd be happy to donate a happy couple. Julie
Julie, It's interesting that you'd suggest an older pair. I read an article today that suggested to get keets because then you can get them used to you easier and it also said that when you release them into their new home, they'll be less likely to fly away. So that is not necessiarly true?
when we got our adult guineas we just kept them in the barn for 2 days then let them out. they went right in with the chickens in the chicken house. that is where they roost at night.