Guineas and Ticks

[Corona~Barb]

Hi Folks,

I know nothing about Guineas (have had chickens and turkeys for several yrs) but have heard they eat ticks. Just moved to So Oregon and have been dealing with ticks on the dog since January. Frontline helps for about 3 weeks. Yesterday, I had one bite me on the stomach while I was in the garden. ICK! So...do guineas really make a difference in tick population? We have a hill that deer travel through on a regular basis (and apparently drop their ticks while visiting). What would happen if I let the guineas range the hill? Would they become wild?

Thanks...

 

[alldembirds]

Guineas will help , but they wont stay in one place really. they really love to eat ticks but they really like to roam

 

[Hotcookie]

I have 20 tick-filled acres of property. Every spring, I battle ticks until my guineas get them under control.....usually within a month, then they are wiped out for the summer. I had never even seen a tick until we moved here - what a shock it was to find them on the dogs and ME!! I went crazy until hubby told me about how guineas can control the problem. We bought some keets.....and found how wonderful they really are! Yes, I'm obsessed with my tick-eating pet guineas! lol!! They are the coolest birds ever....

 

[TickedOff]

As I have Lyme disease, and I got bitten by a copperhead in the garden last year, I could benefit from having some guineas. I just need to figure out how to make it work.

How many Guineas would I need for about 2 acres? I live in the country, and see neighbor's hens roaming and eating on the side of the road. I'm about 500 yards off the road, so I think they will be safe from cars.

Overall, how do they get along with dogs? I'm afraid my dogs would run them off, as they love to chase squirrels etc.

 

[11squawkers]

I, too, am new to raising poultry, I have 7 5 week old keets along with 4 chicks same age and can't yet comment about anything other than my 5 year old lab/collie/shepard mix male dog LOVES our birds. I introduced them to each other right away from day 1 little by little letting him sniff them while holding them and with kind of a stern voice and he did great, now I can leave him in the coop with them alone, for short periods, without worry.

Since I didn't see any response yet figured I'd share this bit. Hope that helps and you are faring well in your experience.