Lots of guinea questions

[wordgirl]

We live on about six acres of land in the middle of farm country in MN. We have eighteen chickens at the moment – probably we will lose one and gain a few more (our rooster...he has to go). We have quite a few ticks around the area, and I'm thinking about getting a few guineas. But, I have a few questions....

1. How many guineas is a good number to start with?
2. Will they go out in the snow, or will they prefer to be cooped up all winter?
3. Will they really get on our cars and roofs? (I saw some of you talking about this in another thread.)
4. How long after being brooded should they be shut in their coop so they know where home is?
5. If they do 'know' that their coop is home, will they come there to roost every night?
6. Will they chase cats (and kittens)?
7. Will they chase small children?
8. Will they be tame enough to come when I call and eat out of my hand?

Thanks!

 

[pacetruckguy]

Great questions! I just saw some month old Guinea's at the feed store. I don't have a rooster and I'm thinking of getting a few Guinea's to watch over the girls. I'm looking forward to some expert answers to your questions.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
Hope that helps ya......Pop

 

[pacetruckguy]

Thanks Lollypop.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
Hope that helps ya......Pop

Thanks, Lollipop! So, they chase cats? Hmm...that may be annoying to our barncat trio...especially three-legged Silver.

Will they HURT the cats? We have kittens often, too...

 

[speckledhen]

They also can become aggressive to chickens. It's why I had to rehome my four. I love them and may have them again, but they will not be in the same coop with my chickens. They have actually been known to gang up on roosters and kill them. They fight as a team, bodyslamming their victim. Not all have that issue, but you should never expect them to act like chickens.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
Okay, maybe I don't want guineas. Have you noticed that they do/don't actually have a big impact on the tick population?

 

[speckledhen]

They are marvelous on tick control. I live on wooded acreage in the mountains with tons of deer, so that is the main reason I wanted them. I think they may do better if you have a larger group of them and they form their own society away from the chickens.

 

[Lollipop]

Yup, I got mine for bug control also. Like Cynthia, I live on the side of a GA mountain, surounded by woods and deer. Ticks everywhere and during the warm months, you can hardly carry on a conversation outside, because of the bug noise. Lots of scorpions and spiders, too. I`m counting on these buggers to tone that down a little.

I moved here from South Florida in `05. Only had 3 guineas there, but by the second year I had them, I noticed a marked reduction in the fly and mosquito population. That in it`s self makes the noise worth putting up with. The neighbors loved them.......Pop

 

[Barry]

Quote:
1.You will loose a lot, how many do you want to end up with?
2. Mine that went out into the snow never came back, the ones that never went out in the snow are still in an open coop, I an wondering if they will ever go out by themselves.
3. Do not wash you car, if there is no reflection the chances are greatly reduced.
4. 6 weeks minimum.
5.Only if they feel like it.
6.I do not have cats near them.
7.I do not have children,
8.If they have learned that you come with treats, they will be in the area. Eat out of your hand Only if they are somewhere where they feel safe and your hand appears with food that is irresistible.
These answers were based on my experiences, perhaps you will have better luck.