Guineas for Rodent control?

[bradselig]

I have read many times regarding guineas catching and eating rodents. I currently have a major Vole (yes, Voles not Moles) problem in my yard. Thankfully they have stayed outside and have no issues in the house. I was wondering if anyone's guineas are expert rodent hunters. I use this as the excuse for getting guineas (as well as their tick control) however, I really just wanted them to have them lol.

 

[PeepsCA]

My Guineas will sometimes kill rodents that get in their pens/coops, but that's really not their call of duty. I've heard that the hard core, mean, cranky old Game Hens are better at killing rodents than Guineas are tho.

What's the difference between a mole and a vole?

 

[bradselig]

Thanks for the reply. I have chickens that will be free ranging as well, so hopefully between the 31 (chickens and guineas), they will be able to help control the numbers of voles.

Voles are basically a meadow mouse. They look like a mouse, but with shorter tails. Instead of tunnelling under the ground like moles, these guys make trenches on top of the ground. They make yard very rough to mow! They do make tunnels underground, but these are usually just their dens. They are prolific breeders and active year round. They are very hard to control.

 

[Blondiechic]

My farrier has guineas and he said they are very noisy and roost in his trees - I was quite keen on them as well and read your post with increased interest but the noise factor made me go off them now... Voles have pointer noses as well don't they? They are cute (from one who does't have them, but plain old rats in my garden!)

 

[bradselig]

I almost didnt get them due to the noise as well, but after visiting the breeder I purchased mine from and actually being around his adult guineas made me decide to get them. They are just so unusual and I didnt really think they were as noisy as they are made out to be. That being said, other than my arrival, there was nothing else that they got aroused from. So I may not have gotten to "hear" the whole picture

 

[PeepsCA]

Ahh, ok, then I have voles too...but I have a great grey and white tabby mouser that gets the majority of them (and leaves them on the porch for a present to me, yuck

).

My younger flocks are noisier than my older birds are, so they do mellow out with maturity, and also as they get more used to the normal noises and daily activities in your land. IMO, dealing the noise level is well worth the pest and snake controlling benefits these birds offer here on my ranch.

But... as a lot of people find out too late, Guineas aren't for everybody. (They are for me tho!!!).

 

[bradselig]

That is good to know that they tend to calm down with age. You are right though, they probably arent for everyone. I am used to loud noises from birds thanks to my African Grey parrot. He can get very noisy/annoying especially when he is ready for bed.