Guineas?

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Well mine were raised with chickens. I found them to be fun, but strange chickens, that fit in, without being popular (among the flock). I didn't know way back then of all the ways I might have used them for what they are good for. I plan on returning to guineas in the spring, but doing everything by the book. I want some gardening help from mine if possible and I plan on cooping them for the first egg laying season, so they get the hang of it. You see if you give them the choice of where to lay, you will never find the nest.
I would suggest you obtain a couple of books on the subject, so you understand them well and are well prepared.
 
they can be nice, they can be mean. mine that wherent raised with the chickens were very mean to them. the ones i raised with the chickens where nice.

the can be loud at times but they can act like there not even there.

they eat lots of ticks and weeds. leave the flowers alone. unlike chickens.

im not sure about that last question.
 
I raised mine with chickens and they have become very mean and aggressive towards the hens. They don't mess with the roosters. As the matter of fact, they seem like they are kind of attached to one rooster.
I had to pen them to seperate them from my hens and I let them out after everyone has been fed in the afternoon for a few hours. Then in the evening I coop them back up which is a lot of fun because Guineas seem adverse to any kind of door. It's like "oh there is a door to my coop so I will go the oposite direction."
Hopefully, this is just a phase they are going through.
 
Haha - I dearly love my guineas, but they are not very bright - they go out of the barn through the pony pen, but do you think they can find their way back in? No, they will sit on the hitching rail in front of the barn in a driving rain/snow/sleet with the open door right near where they are, but can I chase them in that door? No, we have to go around to the back of the barn where there is an attached arena, I have to open the big gate and open the little chicken door with the ramp in order for them to go in the barn. Then in they go, one by one, chortling all the while! They free range during the day - we have 40 acres - where do they prefer to go? Across the busy country road, of course! I have a guinea fowl crossing sign at the end of my driveway and a lot of the locals have learned by now that my guineas will stand in the middle of the road and yell at any car that would dare come up to them. They love the chrome bumpers on some cars because they can see their reflection. They can be mean to some of my chickens, I have New Hampshire Reds - one rooster and 29 hens. It seems they pick on the littlest hens on the bottom of the pecking order. I have tried closing the guineas in so they can lay eggs in the nest boxes, no, they go out into a brush pile surrounded by tall teasel weeds and that is the only time they are quiet - when I am trying to find them! One night I asked my DH to close them in the barn (we have coyotes and coons) - he came in shaking his head, he couldn't find the guineas anywhere - btw, the chickens all put themselves to bed at a decent time each night - so I went out to see if I could find them. We searched for close to an hour, used a spotlight in the field, carefully drove my car around in the field - I was near tears. In an act of desperation, I stood on the hill and started chirruping to them. I heard several little quiet chortles behind me. Where did I find them? In the blasted brush pile in the arena, 10 feet from the barn. I could just tell they were laughing at us as they watched us search frantically for them! They are great bug eaters - the Japanese Beetles don't stand a chance! I will never be without guineas running the place, even though they try my patience to the limit many times! I am in love with their exaggerated eye liner and their beautiful knobs on top of their heads. They are easy on my gardens and my flower beds, my chickens destroy anything they can get near. I will keep as many chickens and guineas for as long as I can, and probably always get my exercise as I go in search of the guineas latest hiding spot. Before you get them, make sure you are prepared for their rather "challenging" personality!
 
I got 6 guinea keets about three months ago and at that time they were about two months old. Unfortunately I lost two to a hawk but I have to say I absolutely love there personality. I didnt do things by the book persay. I kept them pinned in for about two weeks and the first day I let them out that night they were in the chicken coop. Never taught them that. Mine have recently learned that they can fly and are on the roof at least once a day. I think I have only one female and three males. They are wacky but very loveable. They wont let you hold them off course except at night. They especially love there reflections and have a sense of humor. I plan on getting at least 5 or 6 more in the spring ^^
 
Raised 7, 5 are left



Are they nice? There not mean, there not very friendly, they follow you at there distance, they roam, there stupid about going in the street and getting run over.

Are they mean to other animals? Didnt notice that, there very alert twards overhead birds, airplanes, and anything that comes in the property.

Are they loud? One word YES

Do they eat weeds and pesky garden bugs? All day long

Will they eat my Berries and Grapes? Not sure but mine did not eat my strawberrys last year but I would not put it past them.

G/L
 
MY experience with guineas wasn't all bad, but bottom line...I got rid of them. Why? They beat the mess out of my rooster, almost killed him, they were extremely loud, they annoyed my husband, they were not exactly friendly, and they didn't raise well with my chickens AT ALL. They hogged feed and fought off any of the hens that dared come try to eat. If I seperated, they hogged both feeders. I would only ever have them again if: I had seperate housing WAYYY away from the house, and had a seperate run and everything for them. With the right set-up I would say go for it. I just couldn't tolerate their antics. They are good layers, excellent foragers, they eat ticks,fleas,wasps, all kinds of creepy crawly bugs and have a voracious appetite for them! They DO NOT kill all the grass like chickens...you can let them go in the garden even before tomatoes produce though, bc they LOVE tomatoes more than anything. Their eggs sell great, and the shells are thicker almost 3 times as thick as chickens, so they are easy to manage bc they don't get cracked as easy. There are LOADS of good things about these birds IF you have the proper set-up. That IMO is the kay to successfully raise guineas.
 
the ones i rasied without chickens are scared of them, the ones i rasied with chickens beat them up but not to bad. Guineas rule and the chickens learn that fast, as long as the chickens do not mess with the guineas they have never been mean to them. yes they are very loud if anything is out of place or if they see something they do not like. all in all i love guineas they are fun to watch i love my guineas down to 2 now but will be buying more this spring.
 
Quote:
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

But, they are worth it for the bug & tick removal service during free range.
 

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