Guineas for Tick Control

[crazy4chickens5]

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!

Do you mean breeds of guineas? If so, they are all the same and no guinea is more cold tolerant than the others, I believe. But if you are talking chickens, go to www.mypetchicken.com and click Especially Cold-Hardy. This is a good bunch of chickens that are cold-hardy. You don't have to order them there obviously, but it's a good example! Hope I helped! If not, PM me ofr more information.
-Kyle

 

[BillM2]

Actually am looking for answers to both questions: do guinea fowl like bask in the road, thus endagering themselves, also which cold hardy chicken breeds would be good at tick control instead of using guinea fowl.

 

[PeepsCA]

Guineas can be attracted to the road (as any animal can be)... be it the people, the cars or the unknown territory across the road that attracts them, who knows. It happens

(Unless you can condition/train them to stay away from the road).

I can't comment on chickens that compare to Guineas for tick control, (because to me there aren't any, lol)... but Guineas range farther and cover more ground than any breed of chickens I know of (but I am not a chicken person)

 

[jjaazzy]

BillM2 I don't have much experience with any of this but just wanted to throw in there,..... If it is true that guineas are attracted to the road for warmth maybe supply a better source of it in your coop for them. I think they sell mats for pets that are heated. Or having just remodeled my MB in the last few years you could maybe tile your coop and add a heated floor beneath the tile....... Now that's rich! I have no idea the costs of that but you would not need that much of it. There are different types some where the heat strips are in a sheet you just lay out or others where you actually lay out the tubes. Either way, it would be wonderful.

 

[KrisH]

BillM2 I don't have much experience with any of this but just wanted to throw in there,..... If it is true that guineas are attracted to the road for warmth maybe supply a better source of it in your coop for them. I think they sell mats for pets that are heated. Or having just remodeled my MB in the last few years you could maybe tile your coop and add a heated floor beneath the tile....... Now that's rich! I have no idea the costs of that but you would not need that much of it. There are different types some where the heat strips are in a sheet you just lay out or others where you actually lay out the tubes. Either way, it would be wonderful.

then how about a small "patio" in the sun with dark porcalin or some dark rock like tiles (porcelan is freeze and frost safe where ceramic may crack in freezing weather). keep it close to the coop and built in the sun to warm up. that should simulate the warmth of the road. That is of course assuming it is the heat that attracts them.

we have farm fencing all around. the only place the guineas cross is where there is a top rail on the fence. here is a picture of one sitting on the fence. the far side has no top rail.

 

[jywel417]

Thanks guys! I meant to reply sooner. I have 5 acres but no close neighbors so noise isn't an issue. I am just outside of Oak Ridge, near Clinton, in TN. I am right now having a hard time finding a place I would want to get guineas from and how many should I get. I am going to build a new coop/shelter and raise the babies in it then let them roam during the day and put them up at night!

 

[JLeigh]

then how about a small "patio" in the sun with dark porcalin or some dark rock like tiles (porcelan is freeze and frost safe where ceramic may crack in freezing weather). keep it close to the coop and built in the sun to warm up. that should simulate the warmth of the road. That is of course assuming it is the heat that attracts them.

we have farm fencing all around. the only place the guineas cross is where there is a top rail on the fence. here is a picture of one sitting on the fence. the far side has no top rail.

What a beautiful guinea KrisH!! What color is it?

 

[KrisH]

What a beautiful guinea KrisH!! What color is it?

Thanks, he is a coral blue. ALL of ours are coral blue. our free range flock this year is 27 with about an even mix of boys and girls. NOT looking forward to daily egg hunts. I know I could let them out later, but love for them to all be out eating bugs.

RobertH

 

[JLeigh]

Reminds me of a "tortoise shell" look. Just beautiful.

 

[wintergreentomm]

After reading several threads....I'm guessing that guineas won't work for my scenario. I have a house and 32 acres in northwest Arkansas...but I don't live there. (someday) My wife and I got eaten alive by ticks this past weekend. (first time I've found ticks this year) The home and land is approx 1 hour from where I live. I get out at least once a week....sometimes more but minimum once. Thought about guineas for tick control but it sounds like they wouldn't make it without me there more often. Thoughts/suggestions? Don't want to get hens just to have them die quickly.