I just heard about guineas for the first time 3 weeks ago...

[cpcosmo]

...and since then, I've been fascinated! My family and I live in suburbia in Durham County, NC. We have a wooded lot with a fenced in backyard. I decided last year I would get 2 - 3 chicken hens this summer. That was until I heard about guineas. We have a terrible tick problem in the back and if all the research and testimonials are correct, it seems guineas can help.

The question I have is about the keeping guineas in a smallish backyard with neighbors on either side. I am concerned both about noise and the guineas getting out. Is anyone else keeping guineas on a 1/3 acre lot?

Your experience and advice on these matters is greatly appreciated!

 

[speckledhen]

They won't stay on your lot--they fly like you can't even begin to imagine, both far and high. They do make lots of noise, too. They love ticks, yes, but they like to travel around some and a 1/3 acre lot won't contain them.



Go to this link and listen all the way through to the end (short sound byte).

http://zar.co.za/sounds/guinea.htm

 

[robin416]

I'm with Cynthia. Although mine don't go over the fence, we're on 20 acres, even having just a couple will be more than your neighbors might tolerate. They are very different from chickens, much more independent. Challenging until you can adapt to their wants.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

My one isn't too bad at all as far as noise goes. He isn't any louder than when all my roos crow in the mornings. However, that is just one and he does coop up with the chickens at night but wanders all over the farm during the day and down into the woods.
I am growing more up and know the neighbors may not enjoy all the noise as they wander right up to their property line but they will enjoy the bug patrol.

I would not get any for suburbia. They will get taken by dogs or even cats and bother your neighbors so may even get shot at.

 

[kyle7630]

It's just my opinion, but if you want guineas, give it a try. Don't give up on it without even trying it out. Worst case scenario is they get taken by predators. That's happened to most, if not all of us. They may drive you neighbors crazy. In that case, rehome them. I bet there are plenty of people in your area that would take them. That also gives you an ace in the hole when one of those neighbors gets a dog that barks like mad. They would almost be obligated to return the "favor". You may get lucky and have no issues at all. I read about clipping the wings to keep them in the fence. That may work for you. I just wouldn't give up on having them before at least trying once or twice. Good luck with your decision.

 

[robin416]

I just realized something, you said suburbia. Are you even allowed to have live stock of any kind? If not you would have a better chance of having chickens accepted. But if you get Guineas there is no way for the world not to know you have them and will have you someone's radar if you try to replace them with chickens.

 

[ColbyNTX]

My guineas usually range over about 5ac's or so. I would talk to your neighbors and let them you want to get some to help with tick control. Let them know that they can be noisy and would visit them on a daily basis and see if they would mind.

 

[cracking up]

I was thinking the same thing about talking to the neighbors before you get them. My neighbors enjoy mine. At first I used to ask if they bothered them and now even though we have four acres for them they still end up over the fence. I saw my neighbor the other day and she said 'your little birds were over here'. She said her husband told her they eat bugs and they're fine with it. We still try to keep them home and they don't go over very often and the ones we hatched out last year are much smarter about flying back over the fence.

Our three year olds don't go over the fence any more.

 

[racuda]

I vote NO.

Unless all of your neighbors always park in a garage your Guineas will fly on top of their cars, causing a lot of paint damage. This will happen more frequently when the cars are freshly washed and shiny.

 

[southern oaks]

We have 20 acres with 250+ acres around us. Our neighbor, who is 1/4 mile away, says he loves to hear the guineas. He use to raise them so the sound doesn't bother him. They are very loud and I advise you to listen to the post above before thinking about it. Mine stay home, but I also trained them by letting them out 3 at a time last year. They didnt want to leave the flock so they stayed close. Now they all fly everywhere on the property but stay close to home. and come home to roost every night.. good luck