Hi.

[Penny Hen]

Well I will introduce myself, I have been raising sheep for a while. I used to have a flock of guineas. i have a dozen Lemon Cuckoo Marans eggs on the way so soon I should have chicks. I also have a six Americanas coming so I will possibly have blue or olive eggers later. I am also interested in raising a couple of turkeys and some Cochin bantums.

If I get guineas again I will imprint them on my sheep. This way they hang with the sheep and don't take as many casualties as most free range guineas. They also will pick the hay and seeds out of the sheep's wool. In the winter they will come down out of the trees and perch on the backs of the sheep with their feet buried in the warm wool.

 

[drumstick diva]

I've never been around guineas, will they really do the things you said? Neat!

 

[Penny Hen]

Yes. The way to imprint them on the sheep is to set up their pen inside the sheep pen. As soon as they can leave the brooder put them out in their pen with the sheep. They will equate being safe and fed with being with the sheep. When they are old enough to fly you can release them with the sheep. They will roost above the sheep at night. They will eat the grain the sheep scatter. They will keep the ticks off the sheep. The sheep will discourage possums, foxes and bobcats from preying on them. Larger than that and the sheep need a protector too. The guineas will sound the alarm if dogs come into your sheep field.

They saved my sheep one day when I was at my neighbors and heard them screaming hysterically. I ran back home to find 5 dogs in the field. My Shetland ram had put his ewes in a defensible corner and was standing between them and the 5 dogs. I ran up shrieking and yelling and ran the dogs off. My ram let me know that he was ****** that I had not kept the fences tight by ramming me in the butt! He followed me for the the next hour while I repaired the hole dug under the fence Baaaaaaing at me (cussing me I am sure). "Who the blankety blank to you think I am? Super Ram! FIVE!!! FIVE DOGS!!!! I could have been KILLED! And where were YOU? Jawing with the next door neighbor! FIVE DOGS!!!"

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Sheep and Guinea fowl? Interesting combination and it sounds like it's working out very well!

 

[Penny Hen]

It isn't so weird if you remember that in Africa they hang with the elephants for protection.

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, Penny Hen, and

! Great to have you with us! Best of luck with your flocks! Have fun!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!