Guineas for Tick Control

[jywel417]

Hey Everyone!

I haven't posted on here in ages but I am out in the country again and am having major issues with ticks this year. I was wondering if a flock of 30 guineas could successfully survive and free range 5 acres of woods if they were provided shelter at night or would they just get picked off one by one? Spraying the yard just isnt making a lot of difference right now :/

Whitney

 

[crazy4chickens5]

Welcome back to BYC!

I know my favorite method of tick control is my Guineas. Where do you live? I know East Tennessee, but are there lots of neighbors? Guineas can get LOUD. Also, you have to be very attentive with your shelter. Make sure everybody gets in at the right time, every night. And, remember the male to female ratio. Usually mine would be 27 females and 3 males, if you definitely want fertile eggs. PM me for more information if you would like. Because there's a LOT and I can tell you everything I know!
-Kyle

 

[PeepsCA]

Wow Kyle, only 3 males to 27 Hens and you get 100% fertility from your eggs? I prefer 3 Hens to 1 male, or at most 5 Hens to 1 male ratio. My birds divide up into trios or quads.



Hiya jewyl, yes IMO 30 Guineas on 5 acres will do a great job for tick control... I've maintained 24-28 running loose on 10+ acres, and they were able to get the ticks under control within a couple years (I am down to only 8 free rangers now that play the role of maintenance crew tho). You will lose some to predators, but if you coop the flock at night that will reduce your losses by half.

And IME, free range flocks with more males than Hens do a better job at pest control... too many Hens end up going broody on hidden piles of eggs and taken by predators.

 

[crazy4chickens5]

Wow Kyle, only 3 males to 27 Hens and you get 100% fertility from your eggs? I prefer 3 Hens to 1 male, or at most 5 Hens to 1 male ratio. My birds divide up into trios or quads. Hiya jewyl, yes IMO 30 Guineas on 5 acres will do a great job for tick control... I've maintained 24-28 running loose on 10+ acres, and they were able to get the ticks under control within a couple years (I am down to only 8 free rangers now that play the role of maintenance crew tho). You will lose some to predators, but if you coop the flock at night that will reduce your losses by half. And IME, free range flocks with more males than Hens do a better job at pest control... too many Hens end up going broody on hidden piles of eggs and taken by predators.

Haha... I meant to write 13, but sometimes I do around 10 It's hard writing on a paragraph on an iphone witg no mistakes! sorry about that... but anyways, I totally agree with you. My most damaging predators are large owls and coyotes. At night, there's sometime one guinea who is too stubborn to come in. It obviously doesn't always get made dinner, but it's a lot safer to put them in a coop at night.

 

[tomingreeneco]

I have 15 on 19 acres. No ticks, No Japanese beetles, No stink bugs, they pretty much take care of my insect problems. Would not let them free range at night though. They don't see too good at night and will get picked off by coons/owls.

 

[jjaazzy]

I am moving to 20 acres and was thinking of getting guineas for bug and tick control, I don't know if we have them or not but I sure don't want them. I was warned about them being crazy loud. I am going to raise chickens will they do the bang up job like the guineas or should I still plan a few guineas?

 

[KrisH]

I am moving to 20 acres and was thinking of getting guineas for bug and tick control, I don't know if we have them or not but I sure don't want them. I was warned about them being crazy loud. I am going to raise chickens will they do the bang up job like the guineas or should I still plan a few guineas?

I would say guineas too. Chickens do not roam loke the guineas do. we have 14 + acres and the guineas cover the whole place, but the chickens rarely go more than about 150 to 200 feet from ther house.

Last summer we had fewer grasshoppers and crickets than ever before in our field. but I cut the neighbors field and it was like ours USED to be. horses now have NO ticks either. big difference from before. we have a new way to count dates. remember BCand AD we are now use BG and AG (Before Guinea, and After Guinea)

RobertH

 

[jjaazzy]

Thanks jywel, great info, I was wondering how far chickens would wonder, do you have issue with Guineas in neighbors yards? If your in 14 how far can you hear the Guineas? Iow can neighbors hear them? I just don't want to upset new neighbors.....you know can't we all just get along!,,,,,

 

[crazy4chickens5]

Thanks jywel, great info, I was wondering how far chickens would wonder, do you have issue with Guineas in neighbors yards? If your in 14 how far can you hear the Guineas? Iow can neighbors hear them? I just don't want to upset new neighbors.....you know can't we all just get along!,,,,,

My guineas don't wander too far. If you keep them in their coop for the recommended time (6 weeks) then they won't stray very far. Although, I can hear my guineas from pretty far away. I wouldn't say they're annoying, but loud. I got used to them quickly!

I asked my neighbors about a month after they were old enough to make their sounds, and they said they don't even hear them, or they just sound like regular birds. But these neighbors are across the street, not right next to me. I wouldn't know what it would be like right next to me. Unless they really hate you, in my opinion, you'll be okay.

 

[BillM2]

I'm told that Guinea Hens like the warmth of pavement and are often struck by vehicles. Is this true? Reason I ask is we live close to a street and want them to move about freely for tick control. It has also been said to me to look for good foragers who'll do a near equal job of gobbling up the ticks. If that's the case, what breeds are recommended for a cold climate? Egg production isn't a priority.

Thanks!