I LOVE this forum but...

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

First, let me say I have no personal experience with guineas!

Ok.. that out of the way

I looked them up a couple of days ago (also for bug killing properties) and what I read was that the females make a variety of noises, while the male only makes one and was, therefore, somewhat quieter.

Don't know how true that is, but wanted to pass the tidbit on to you! I'd love to know how the guineas work out for you.

-Meg

 

[robin416]

Yes, there are species that are a bit quieter than others, Guineas aren't one of them. And there are species that a less destructive than others. The Guineas wouldn't destroy your flower beds but chickens will. There is a fellow who has a single Guinea that lives with his ducks and lives on less property than you do. His one Guinea so far has been quiet and its been about a year since he hatched it. But that's a single.

I have 9 at the moment, remember I said I could hear them a half mile away? That's because the crazy birds walked through my stock gate and went visiting to a neighbor's that I can't even see. Then they realized they had a problem, they were in unfamiliar territory. I heard their screams from inside the house.

I wonder if a visit to the zoo's aviary would work. They would have most everything you're thinking about.

 

[maggiePI]

Hi Steven at the upper end of the state!

I also live in town and have a dream of an outdoor aviary. I found that getting in touch with your local birdclub may be the best way to find someone who can help you with every aspect. I talked with several people on the phone and online via yahoo group before I found someone who sounds like my kind of person and invited me out to see her setup. Someone around your parts must be doing the same thing and can help with what birds to house together etc. I can ask my bird club folks if they know of any contacts up that way if you would like.
Suzanna in Medford

 

[maggiePI]

BTW Robin416 - your post made me laugh out loud "I heard their screams inside the house"

 

[kiaya611]

Hi MaggiePI, I have found that the bird clubs I have found are exotics and the other birds that i have seen around here are the usual poultry, although I have seen some Emu (which I have thought about), but I talked about it to a breeder and they said that I needed a 6' fence and I only have a 4' fence. With most of these birds, I only want a small number of them. I want them for different reasons. The Guineas, came up from an article in Mother Earth News about Gardening with Guineas and how they eat all of the bugs and weds and leave your crops alone which of course requires them to be able to roam (on MY property). I am going to run into the the same thing with the turkeys and peafowl that I am hatching. The turkeys are heritage breeds which for one things means they are fully flighted and of course the peafowl are flighted as well. I can clip wings, but it doesn't take much to get over a 4' fence and I can't afford to replace my fence with a much higher one. I have even thought of putting up aviary netting above the fence line (which also isn't cheap) to discourage flight and leaving the property.

I have found out that Guineas get along with chickens very well and I could put then in with them, but then I will have them confined and although it would be neat to have some (all I really want is about 4 or 6), they won't be able to roam. It might be something to try.

 

[maggiePI]

Hi! I got some fishnet - nylon- used but in good condition on ebay and covered my run with it. If you have the time and energy you could make your own by wrapping back and forth over nails - thats how we filled in the holes where it wasn't quite wide enough. Big project though, but fishing line is cheap - guess it depends on how valuable your time is. It is true that bird clubs are the more exotic, but I have found they may have other interests in bigger poutry-type birds. Have you tried yahoo groups? and just read posts till you find someone who seems your type of person and address them individually. They may be willing to take you under their wing.

I had to go through a few insulting and annoying people before I found someone I really liked interacting with. Good luck with those noisy birds ... I spent most of Monday spraying my bantys with a hose (don't have to hit them just scare them) to get them to stop screaming. Been quiet since. I just get afraid they will bother the neighbors and be taken away!
Suz

 

[chikibabe]

ive found it hard to find detailed info on turkeys, so this is why ive joined byc. 2 share experiences both good and bad because this is how we learn. There are a few definate do's and dont's but really there is no right or wrong, just trial and error. Birds like humans are individuals and what works with some dosnt work with others.
As for your neighbours, if in doubt, ask them, if starting sumthing new approach them and let them know. Its best they talk to you and not the local department authority. Keep your lines of communication open and it allways helps if you drop them over sum eggs if they like.
I definatly wouldnt over stock your place and ruin a good thing. Sumtimes 1 is all it takes to tip you off the edge and send your neighbours into a spin. Why risk a good thing for 1 more, unless of course your neighbours are aware of the problems that may arise and they agree to it being ok.

 

[Dogfish]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I just noticed the 2007 date when I read your post.

 

[chikibabe]

Quote:
The joker has risen from the dead lol