Have Chickens, but still want Guinea

[Mehjr10]

My guineas roost and stay in the same run as my chickens so far no problems, we will see what spring brings. I had to put some deer netting over the top of the run, because they fly well even at a young age and will fly out.

 

[Mabec]

My guinea hens mix really good with my chickens, but it's not always the case in every coop, once in a while a male gets troublesome. I had that happens a couple years ago, a male was picking on my Delaware hen. My rooster has since grown up to a good size and he's the boss.

 

[nelsons02]

I love all the responses to this post Thank you all so much. We have 7 acres, and a fairly large chicken house. Our chickens are allowed to free range during the day, and we close them up at night. Smart thinking on closing the door during the day. Ours like to stay out until the last minute of daylight. We have trouble getting them in if we need to be gone for the evening, we are going to try and start this. Coyote and raccoons have been a problem for us. I would hate to imagine having anything out, even in trees, at night. I would love a lot of benefits guineas add, but it almost sounds like it may not be possible for our farm. I enjoy the ease we have now, and am not really wanting to "shake" things up.

 

[BGerres]

I am new to BYC but have been raising Guinea's for a while now. I knew nothing about them but found this site to be the most helpful!
http://www.gfba.org/
Buy the paper back book or go to Library and get it. ( Gardening with Guinea's by Jeannette S. Ferguson)
My Guinea's are seed trained and will come to me when called and go into the hen house every night!
good luck

 

[nelsons02]

That's great to hear. The website you mentioned is FULL of useful information!! Thank You!

 

[dairygirl]

I'm planning on getting guineas again this spring. Lost my last ones to old age two years ago and really miss them. Last summer we were overrun with tomato and cabbage worms, the guineas must have been keeping them cleaned up. Mine just free ranged full time without much of a problem. I never really fed them much, they lived on bugs in the summer and cleaned weed seeds out of the garden all winter!

 

[Jennsbirds]

How loud are they? Barking dog loud or peacock loud?

Seven is too many fo property aound here in a mixed flock. Can I go fewer! How few?

Do they need nesting boxes?

 

[karensc]

Hi Jenn,

I only have 2 birds and I live in a close (homes) neighborhood. But they are loud when they need to be if they see a cat, dog, etc, come into their yard, but I don't care what my neighbors say or think. But mine do not free range because they wander miles away and I am not comfortable with that. I have them in a 10 x 12 covered play yard, and they are just fine. They are my free monitored burglar alarm. With 2 birds, they are just as happy as can be. Most people will tell you to get at least 6, but 2 is enough for me. Just my honest opinion.

Good Luck and have fun with them. They are quality entertainment.

Karen

 

[Jennsbirds]

Hi Jenn,

I only have 2 birds and I live in a close (homes) neighborhood.  But they are loud when they need to be if they see a cat, dog, etc, come into their yard, but I don't care what my neighbors say or think.  But mine do not free range because they wander miles away and I am not comfortable with that.  I have them in a 10 x 12 covered play yard, and they are just fine.  They are my free monitored burglar alarm.  With 2 birds, they are just as happy as can be.  Most people will tell you to get at least 6, but 2 is enough for me.  Just my honest opinion.

Good Luck and have fun with them.  They are quality entertainment.

Karen

Sounds awesome. Exactl.y how I plan to keep them (I might let them free range fo an hour in the garden if I can get them to come when I call).

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I love all the responses to this post Thank you all so much. We have 7 acres, and a fairly large chicken house. Our chickens are allowed to free range during the day, and we close them up at night. Smart thinking on closing the door during the day. Ours like to stay out until the last minute of daylight. We have trouble getting them in if we need to be gone for the evening, we are going to try and start this. Coyote and raccoons have been a problem for us. I would hate to imagine having anything out, even in trees, at night. I would love a lot of benefits guineas add, but it almost sounds like it may not be possible for our farm. I enjoy the ease we have now, and am not really wanting to "shake" things up.

Guineas specialize in "shaking things up..." but in a good way.

We have 35 acres, but the chickens only range on about 7 of it on any given day. The guineas range out further....although they "check in" at the house/barn many times a day. They know where the chickens get their scratch feed. There are slight, quick little skirmishes over food here and there, but they are few and far between, especially during summer when guineas are on full-time bug patrol.

I love them. I breed them every year.....I love guinea keets.