Guinea wandering question

[ConchRepublic]

I've been considering getting a few guineas for a while. We have a bad flea and tick problem here during the hotter months. I know they wont hurt the plants, prefer to roost in trees, wander a LOT, and sound off at just about everything.

So question, how far will they wander typically? I'm on about 30 acres, bu the area where the coop is, is about 10 acres. Will they go beyond that? I have another place we can put them, but it wont help our bug issue unless they wander just enough to get where the bugs are.

 

[Lollipop]

Takes about six of them to make one brain. Having said that, they will wander wherever they dern well please. Best thing to do is after they are old enough to turn loose, call them in often during the day for treats. White millet is something they love and when I shake the can, they run to me. Heck, when I apear, they run to me, always looking for a handout. Sometimes the handout is cracked corn, sometimes millet. I bought 50# of millet and it`s lasted a long time, for months even. Make`m dependant on you. Sure, they`ll wander all 30 acres and most of what your neighbors own, but not at first and they won`t stray long because they want their treats. Got it? Good luck.........Pop

 

[ConchRepublic]

Thanks, I was wondering lol. Neighbors might get mad at guineas wandering around, or just go "what the heck is that thing?"

 

[rooster0209]

Mine wander about half a mile down the road ditch and back. They do go just about anywhere they darn well please. Luckily the "neighbor" up the road a bit doesnt mind seeing a guinea in his trees once in a while. He thinks its alot easier to let mine eat the ticks in his yard than for him to have his own flock. Mine are in and out and around the yard all day long. I have not had a problem with mine coming home every night. Around sundown they all start heading back to the coop.

 

[Katy]

Mine too wander at least 1/2 mile from our farm yard. They do come home every night to roost, but if we had any close neighbors I'm not sure how they'd feel about visiting guineas.

 

[speckledhen]

Won't hurt plants? That is a myth, lemme tell ya. They are the reason all my lovely lush hosta beds were decimated! They eat them like lettuce (which they'll also eat).

 

[Katy]

Mine don't do too much damage to my plants and vegetable garden. They'll peck a tomato now and then and like to take dust baths in the garden, but that's about it.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Most neighbors enjoy seeing them once in a while. Let your neighbors know you have them and they wander. Tell`m if they are bothered to let ya know. Be sure to sell`m on the bennefits of having them around. Good luck......Pop

 

[sunket77]

so glad you asked this question! we have a big problem lately with wasps and scorpions and was thinking guineas would be a solution to that problem. But I was worried about our neighbors also because we are on 4 acres but are real close to them...but if they wonder all day will the hang around the property long enough to eat the bugs around the house??

 

[ConchRepublic]

Just occurred to me, would dense underbrush deter them at all? On my 36 acres, the side we're on (near to the one road) is forested on both sides with somewhat heavy underbrush (to the point people have a real hard time walking, even with jeans and denim jackets) and the other side is largely cleared (for the most part besides some overgrown weeds) pine tree farm (still young trees).

Would they be more likely to wander in the pine tree area than the underbrush? Or would they not give a hoot and go everywhere?