guineas. loud?

[phicri72]

So, I thought about some guineas to go with my chickens. They're so pretty and great bug eaters, But the neighbor complained about a rooster, so had to get rid of him. Are guineas pretty loud in general? Louder than roosters? constantly loud?

 

[theoldchick]

Well, if you had to get rid of your rooster because of the crowing, guineas might not be a good choice for you.

 

[trailrprkprincs]

My friend has 5 guinea and one rooster. The rooster is silly and crows allllllll day, but those guineas have him beat in the noise dept. They "talk" all the time and are quite loud. They call for food, when startled, when playing, pretty much all the time. 4 are males and one female, so I dunno if that matters. I feel like if a rooster was too much guineas are out of the question UNLESS the neighbor really just hates roosters and would tolerate other noises.

 

[NorthCoastChick]

I would caution you against guineas only because they ARE noisy. Mine "talk" constantly and chatter loudly most of the time, except for when they are sound asleep after dark. They roost, eat, and spend a lot of time on our deck, and if they decide to really start yelling up there it is absolutely impossible to have a conversation near them.
On the other hand, I would not be without them. I really love just watching them go about their business around our property and I haven't found any ticks yet this year (while everyone else is complaining about them already).
I have 5 acres they free range on, but they have been known to visit a couple of my neighbors. My neighbors are chicken and guinea friendly, fortunately, but even when the birds are here at home the neighbors can hear them once in a while.

 

[Joe.G]

I don't hear them called cute very often, I only have two and they are very loud and sometimes they go on forever and for no reason at all.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I only have 2 males & 2 females & I don't find them really that loud. They are 2-3 years old though. They have their moments, but usually if they start up, I know something is going on. Got them as adults & they trained easily to go in at night. Did you really have to get rid of your rooster, or did you do it to be nice? That answer may make a difference. I believe in being a good neighbor, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I would love my neighbor's giant leaf blower & lawn mower to go away, but it's just something I have to live with.

 

[Oakieridge]

They are noisy at my house. We have a dozen that free range and then another 9 that are in a breeding pen. They call to each other all day long. Then if one finds an ant hill, ect they call. Then about 7PM you can not be in the backyard and talk to another person. They are getting ready to roost and are extreamly LOUD! Then of course because they are being loud my roosters have to join in on the noisefest and it gets worse. I wouldn't have them if you have a neighbor that thought a rooster was to much noise.

 

[daylily]

I also have three guineas that are one year old, one male, two hens. When they were younger they made lots of noise for all kinds of reasons but now they just eat. They free range on about three acres, two other neighbors included and they say the tick benefit and other bugs is much better with them. The noise they say attatrats them to the windows to see what is going on. One hen has her nest in one of their flower beds and she loves going out and collecting the egg for breakfast the next morning. They are usually noisy when laying but after that nothing unless a predator is near.

Now the sounds of the fights and teenagers out til all hours and chainsaws can drive me nuts but I don't ask them to stop these activities. I have my guineas for a reason and that is tick control. I live in the country and it is my right to have them. If the neighbors like them and their silly antics that's fine. If they don't that's fine too.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

Noisy is an understatement.....but I love my guineas!!

 

[orumpoultry]

Guineas talk about EVERYTHING. Hens have a very loud, very well known 'come back' noise that they make. They also fuss. A typical conversation between guineas lasts from sun up-sun down. "Oh look! A bug! A bug! A bug! I ate! The bug!" Is what I imagine the hens saying as they fuss about. They definitely have my roosters beat in the noise department, but are on top of their game. First bird to notice predators, and I know when they start fussing there's something to investigate outside. Guinea's originated in Africa, on the plains and had to be loud to communicate. But they are really good bug eaters, LOVE ticks. Keets are MUCH louder than chicks. I've found that females start doing the 'come back' or 'buck wheat' call 6 or so weeks when exposed to adults but much later in life when they aren't.

Just listen! Whoever this is has a beautiful flock.

Here's a group of males calling:

When my dogs heard this when I played the clip they went berzerk because they know that sound means trouble. I let them out, but I know it was the clip that got the dogs riled. I was able to train my dogs that when they hear these sounds to sound a secondary alarm and go investigate.

This is the female 'come back'

Just imagine them saying "a bug! a bug! a treat! eat it!"

The sound the male makes at :30 is an alarm. -

This is an alarm call. It alerts all the other birds, especially other guineas, to a new thing that needs investigating. I hear this A LOT. When someone's in the driveway, when the mail man comes, if a bird lands in the yard... etc.

Just to give you an idea on how LOUD they can be at times. Granted, it's not all the time all day every day... But they stay loud pretty regularly. If a rooster was to loud, guinea's might not be for you.