I need advice

[FathertoFeathers]

I have Ducks at home and a major raccoon problem. I heard that guineas are great at protecting other animals but I know nothing about them. Will I be ok if I keep them with ducks? Are they aggressive? Will they fly away? How many do I have to have? Let me know everything I need to know bout raising Guineas please! Thank you!

 

[townchicks]

I don't think guineas are going to protect your ducks from raccoons. What exactly do you mean when you say raccoon problem? Are they killing your ducks? Or that you have a lot in your area?

 

[FathertoFeathers]

I don't think guineas are going to protect your ducks from raccoons. What exactly do you mean when you say raccoon problem? Are they killing your ducks? Or that you have a lot in your area?

I have tons of raccoons in my area that have killed tons of my chickens. Ive heard that Guineas are excellent at fending off predators. Is this not true?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

What time of day have the raccoons killed chickens? Guineas are good at sounding the alarm for predators, but probably won't fair well taking on a 'coon.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

What time of day have the raccoons killed chickens? Guineas are good at sounding the alarm for predators, but probably won't fair well taking on a 'coon.

Ive had them do it in the middle of the day in broad day light but they mostly come out at night

 

[R2elk]

I have tons of raccoons in my area that have killed tons of my chickens. Ive heard that Guineas are excellent at fending off predators. Is this not true?

Guineas can't even protect themselves against raccoons. They aren't going to protect your ducks.

The only reason that guineas are claimed to be protectors is because their alarms may alert the other poultry to danger. Guineas in large groups may get brave enough to chase away some predators but what normally happens is that the predator retreats to get away from the racket and then picks the guineas off one by one.

Predator proof your pens and coops if you want to protect your poultry from raccoons.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Guineas can't even protect themselves against raccoons. They aren't going to protect your ducks.

The only reason that guineas are claimed to be protectors is because their alarms may alert the other poultry to danger. Guineas in large groups may get brave enough to chase away some predators but what normally happens is that the predator retreats to get away from the racket and then picks the guineas off one by one.

Predator proof your pens and coops if you want to protect your poultry from raccoons.

Ok thank you! Ive heard people say that Guineas have fought off wild dogs and other predators before but I guess that's not the case the majority of the time.

 

[townchicks]

I have never had Guineas so honestly, I can't say. What I have heard is that they are great at sounding the alarm. It only stands to reason that a bird (other than one with long sharp talons, maybe) is not equipped to fight a raccoon. Your best bet is to have your ducks locked up at night in a raccoon proof shelter. Make sure there is nothing like garbage, dog or cat or duck food around to draw raccoons, even a bird feeder will entice them. If you you feel you need a guardian animal, a large protective dog would be a better choice. Of course, then you need to TRAIN it to stay in YOUR yard, not eat your ducks, or your visitors and provide all the care and maintenance a dog needs.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

I have never had Guineas so honestly, I can't say. What I have heard is that they are great at sounding the alarm. It only stands to reason that a bird (other than one with long sharp talons, maybe) is not equipped to fight a raccoon. Your best bet is to have your ducks locked up at night in a raccoon proof shelter. Make sure there is nothing like garbage, dog or cat or duck food around to draw raccoons, even a bird feeder will entice them. If you you feel you need a guardian animal, a large protective dog would be a better choice. Of course, then you need to TRAIN it to stay in YOUR yard, not eat your ducks, or your visitors and provide all the care and maintenance a dog needs.

Alright thank you so much!

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

The only experience I've had with Guineas was with my neighbors. They lacked the ability to learn and would constantly fly over the fence into my property. They'd run the fence line squawking for hours unable to figure out how to get back over the fence, until sundown, then they'd miraculously figure out how to get back over. They unfortunately were no match for my dog and crossed over the chicken rainbow bridge.