Guineas and noise

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
Yep...how many you got?

I ordered two before I knew how noisy the are. Someone told me they would help with my hawk problem. Then I listened to them on YouTube.

I don't think so....when they were little they were running around the front yard and a hawk shadow flew over the yard and they froze and dived into the bushes...nope

 

[BrattishTaz]

Mrs. Fluffy Puffy :

Quote:
I ordered two before I knew how noisy the are. Someone told me they would help with my hawk problem. Then I listened to them on YouTube.

I don't think so....when they were little they were running around the front yard and a hawk shadow flew over the yard and they froze and dived into the bushes...nope​

Please don't tell me that.

 

[thndrdancr]

They "help" with the hawk problem by usually alarming at least 30 to 45 seconds before the chickens do. It gives the chickens enuff to safely find cover many times. They have a lil sharper senses than the chickens thus see or know the threat a wee bit earlier. Oh and they will kill snakes, not sure if just two will but my sis loves this fact bout em if nothing else.

 

[BrattishTaz]

Oh well. I will just consider them solar powered car alarms then.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
I don't think so....when they were little they were running around the front yard and a hawk shadow flew over the yard and they froze and dived into the bushes...nope

Please don't tell me that.

Sorry -

Yes, I agree w/ thndrdancr: They do sound the "Hawk Alarm" alot quicker than the chickens.

 

[Cadillac Jill]

Our 4 guineas are about 16 weeks old. I listened to a lot of guinea sounds on YouTube before we got them, and I must say, those clips don't come close to comparing to the racket that ours make. It sets my teeth on edge every time I go out to spend time with our (mixed) flock. Every once in a while we get a brief respite from the noise, but most of the time it's a non-stop screech-fest. I do love watching them--I think they're fascinating. But I'm holding fast to the promise that this behavior will tone down after the first year.

We got them to help control squash bugs and cucumber beetles in our garden, so they'll be an invaluable asset if that works out. (I'm sure I'll be posting shortly, begging for expert insights on how to relocate guineas to a garden plot and what types of structures are appropriate.

I love almost all the sounds of nature, but I have seriously wondered why the Lord would throw such an unpleasant commotion into an otherwise pleasant mix.

 

[chickenology]

I had 3 guineas and 5 chickens (all around 5-6 months old) free ranging in the backyard last summer, their favorite place to hang out was on my patio, which is partially enclosed with a 6 ft tall privacy fence. The guineas were/are fairly quiet most of the time, unless they get separated. One day I was in the front yard, and the guineas were making this terrible racket on the patio. I was a little annoyed by it all, but then I started hearing an occasional angry chicken cluck too. I walked back to the patio to investigate, and found all the chickens huddled under this ornamental weeping evergreen tree. Two of the guineas were huddled under the adjacent weeping evergreen tree, and the third guinea was in the open between the trees screaming. A cooper's hawk then hopped onto the privacy fence - I didn't see where he had come from, but I am fairly certain he had been on the ground trying for a chicken. I credit the guinea with saving a chicken's life that day, and have loved them pretty much unconditionally since then. I'm sure the hawk didn't quite know what to do with the terrifyingly loud "scary" bird screaming at it! So my experience with guineas and hawks is that yes, they do give a pretty decent warning, but mine also showed bravery when faced with a hawk. And now I am more apt to pay attention when my guineas are upset!