How well do they free range??

[DuckiesPLZ]

I live in a heavily wooded area with a LOT of ticks, and don't really want to keep guinea hens as a pet, but as a 'natural predetor' to my pest problem. There are a few guineas down the road who just wonder around, but I'm curious if in the winter, do they need feed? I know they need some little shelter, but how good are they at foraging?

Can I just have some stories/opinions/ideas on them? I'd also like to hear some roosting designs for them, my budget isn't abundant xD

THANKS!!!

 

[GuineaLady93]

I like to feed mine some corn every couple of days when it gets cold. My guineas free range all of the time and sleep in a walnut tree by the house. The corn will also help keep them warmer. Since yall have a lot of woods and ticks I would get a bunch of guineas and they would eat good for a while.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would say you'd expect to supplement feed at any time, but especially in winter. Most areas in the U.S. get enough winter for the insect population to significantly decrease a few months a year. But if you're in an area that has year round vegetation and thriving insects, then they'd probably be pretty self sufficient (although I'd always suggest supp. w/feed).

 

[PeepsCA]

Yes, they need feed, especially during the winter. More than likely they won't stay around your place if just turned loose without establishing a normal feeding and roosting routine. Plus if there are other roaming Guineas in your area, they will probably just hook up with that flock or go find a neighbor that puts out feed since your land won't provide any reason for them to stick around

 

[Missi]

I'm wondering how the guineas know to stay in your property?

*EDIT* Err, should I say 'their' property.

 

[PeepsCA]

Training, and lots of it, lol. Start off with training them to come to a certain sound or call for treats/food, then work up to getting them to coop up every night (or just come running to you or the coop when called, period), then onto teaching them to stay on your land. Takes a lot of time, energy and persistence

My 10 acres is fenced and cross fenced, so it was a little easier task to achieve for me than it is for most.

 

[DuckiesPLZ]

Quote:
hmm, i didnt even think about this xD I had read that they stay in their own area, but I'll take note of this, i can't fence my property, but i'll make sure to train them!!

 

[GuineaLady93]

Quote:
We live on a 50 acre farm so there is plenty of woods and fields for them to stay in and I kept my in their pen for a long time plus they are kinda like dogs, they like being with me and they don't ever leave our land. I think it is because they were hand raised by me and know me and don't want to leave.
I also think it has a lot to do with how much land you have. Like if you have enough so they don't feel like they need more space.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I had my guineas since chicks, raised, fed, and trained to go in the coop every night. One day they just disappeared. I thought they'd stick around since that's where food and shelter was. Nope. All gone.

 

[Missi]

Yikes if/when I get guineas I think I'll keep them in a large flight. I only have 1.14 acre!