How Many Guineas?

[WRVgirl]

I want to get a couple guineas to help protect our chicken flock. I've been watching videos of them and they are the most awesome fowl ever. lol.

We live on 3/4 acre. Fully fenced [not that this matters to flying birds!] and most of our neighbors have hens and roosters.

My only concern is I keep reading that they're incredibly noisy...though I watched a bunch of youtube videos and the only time they seemed obsessively loud is when there was a herd of 12+.

Are they really that noisy, or will 2-3 guineas be too loud for the neighbors?

Also, is 2-3 guineas too many for our land?

Thank you, sorry for the questions, I'm still new to this!

 

[Hollow Point]

We started off with one male and two hens but they multiplied so we are now at 15. When they were just 3 it wasn't to noisy, just when something entered the chicken yard (anything). Now that we have 15 they all get cranked up and it gets loud. we are going to butcher some soon. They are mean as hell. Threw a new RIR rooster in the yard after one of mine got killed and they tore him up. They will let you know if something is in the yard that isn't supposed to be.

 

[WRVgirl]

If you get the guineas as chicks or eggs, can you teach them to get along within the flock of chickens?

 

[JLeigh]

There are a few ways you can go about this. I had two guineas (only) and they did just fine, but they were a mated pair and I was lucky. Luck has a LOT to do with the success of having only a pair. Most people will say, and they're right (because luck doesn't happen often), that six or more is a better number. Guineas are large-flock animals and are less stressed in larger numbers. Of course, the larger the number, the louder the flock.

And they're LOUD. You might want to talk to your neighbors and see how they'd feel about you having guineas. You have some ready arguments in your favor: 1) they eat ticks, lots of ticks, 2) they are great alarm birds (but not guard birds - they won't fight off stray dogs for example) and 3) they lay wonderful tasting eggs that you'd of course be happy to share with your patient neighbors, right?

A 3/4 acre lot is small, and you can expect that they'll fly over your fence if spooked. Your neighbors will need to be cooperative and patient with the noise.

Do you have a coop or fully enclosed pen for them to roost in at night? If not, they'll roost in trees wherever they want, and it may not be in or around your property.

 

[WRVgirl]

I have a huge coop.

I was told that I could teach them to roost with the chickens, is that not true?

Will they be as noisy if there is just 1 guinea?

The neighbors already have chickens so I doubt eggs will lure them to my side But the neighbors to the left and right have no problem, I may be a little worried about the neighbors behind us...

 

[Hollow Point]

Mine all roost with the chickens. The only problem you will have is they are loud when they get excited. And they get excited for anything. Mine will even start cackiling when i walk into the chicken yard

 

[JLeigh]

I don't think chickens will be a good flock substitute for one guinea and it likely will stress the bird out too much, and then the guinea will make non-stop noise. Try three guineas - two female/1 male or 3 females to start, but if noise is a big issue, then try another breed altogether.

Guineas are alarm birds, not guard birds and it won't protect your flock of chickens, and it isn't likely that it will stay within your 3/4 property, and it's a guarantee that the bird/s will be noisy - even one. The very reason they are alarm birds is because they make a TON of noise.

Just sayin'.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I had 5 guineas last year, all over 1 year old. They were not very noisy. After I lost some I got 6 young guineas in September to go with the 2 older males I had left. These younger ones scream at me more than the older ones did, but they only make noise a few times a day. They are penned right now. They startle more quickly than the older ones. I believe they say that they get quieter as they get older. Even with them being young, they do not scream all day long. I have 5 girls, so they buck wheat quite a bitt really hear that. I have 8 right now.

 

[WRVgirl]

Thanks so much everyone.

I talked to a couple neighbors about it today just to let them know I'm thinking about getting some...and they all kind of said the same thing.

"Oh, they eat ticks and fleas....and they may come into my yard? Sounds like a plan!"

So it's official, I'll be getting some guineas in the near future!

 

[JLeigh]

Thanks so much everyone.

I talked to a couple neighbors about it today just to let them know I'm thinking about getting some...and they all kind of said the same thing.

"Oh, they eat ticks and fleas....and they may come into my yard? Sounds like a plan!"

So it's official, I'll be getting some guineas in the near future!

Yea! That's great - if they're prepared for the noise it will work out just fine.