Lots of guinea questions

[greathorse]

Yes losses seem heavy the look for trouble and arent very bright around predators.

Mine never get on vehicle, but would never see a reflection on my truck. Rare wash jobs

Good on bugs

Noise never bothers me I kind of like it

Did have an aggressive rooster toward chickens.

They will dominate chickens when they get older. They are much quicker than a chicken

They are travelers

The get on roofs and high in trees.

don't know about cats and kittens

I have never seen one aggrssive to kids but did have one take a shot at me once when I got close to a nest. They are pretty protective of the nest.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

Quote:

 

[poultryfan73]

Quote:
1. I started with 8 so if i were you id go with 8-10.
2. My birds are locked up from November to April.. Simply because theres nothing for them to eat anyways why risk something happening to them?
3.My guineas never go on my parents cars.
4. For the first 5 months id keep them locked up to let them know where home is.
5.My guineas always come in at night because they were raised with chickens.
6.My guineas never chase my barn cats or any person. They will let you know when different people other then you and your normal family is there.
8. My guineas arent the tamest because i never worked with them. They simply tolerate me thats about it. If you worked with them id imagine they would be just like tame chickens.
Best of luck if you do get guineas!

 

[downtime]

How are they with geese? I'm still pondering a flock of weeders (DH and I are looking to start a lavender farm), and haven't settled on a goose breed (if we do go with weeders). Also, will they stay inside of a fenced area, or just fly over the fence?

 

[sred98]

1. How many guineas is a good number to start with? I suggest you start out with double the number you actually want, and you wouldn't want to end up with less than 4. This factors in drowning in the waterer, getting lost, random stupidity (on your part and theirs!)

and anything else.
2. Will they go out in the snow, or will they prefer to be cooped up all winter? Mine do, but they learned how to fly this winter so they wouldn't have to walk so far in it!
3. Will they really get on our cars and roofs? (I saw some of you talking about this in another thread.) Mine have never gotten on my car or house roof. They did fly onto the roof of their barn when a couple got locked out for being out too late, but that was more for their safety, I think. I was able to call them down and get them inside the barn with no problem.
4. How long after being brooded should they be shut in their coop so they know where home is?I honestly start moving mine in with some similar size chickens once they get their feathers, and raise them together. Then, they think they're chickens and do whatever they do!
5. If they do 'know' that their coop is home, will they come there to roost every night?Most definitely!!! In fact, my guineas are the first ones in to roost and will tattle on any chicken that comes in later than what they think they should!

6. Will they chase cats (and kittens)? Never seen it, but they will chatter like the dickens if they see a strange one. Wait, I take that back...they have chased my cat away from some scraps, but that was a whole group of them and it was purely intimidation by noise and sight, no physical confrontation.
7. Will they chase small children?Absolutely not. Mine are very curious, but do not come close enough for anyone to touch but me. They have never charged a person, although if they see you carrying food, they will all run towards you chattering. It terrifies my 14 yo daughter, so it is pretty funny. It completely confuses the guineas, they think a monster must be chasing them, and they scatter and screech.
8. Will they be tame enough to come when I call and eat out of my hand? Definitely. Mine do!

I do a high-pitched "Guinea! Guinea! Guinea!" and they all come running and chattering, all excited to see what I might have for them.


As far as the geese, my guineas are a little intimidated by the geese (I have Chinese.) so they do fine. I have problems with them being slightly bully-ish around feeding time, but I scatter several scoops of food. Keep in mind that guineas like whatever's thrown last, so they will keep moving as you throw it!

I had some trouble with the guineas bullying my roosters, but I discovered that the roos were breeding every guinea, even the males! So, I don't blame them! LOL! They remembered the color of the "bad" roos, so I can't have barred rocks or white leghorn roos, but my Welsummer and Ameraucana are safe!

They are well worth any trouble for the tick control alone. If, for some reason, I had to choose, I would rehome my chickens to a neighbor and keep the guineas. My son had tick fever a few years back and almost died before the doctors would listen to me and give him the correct medicine. I will never NOT have guineas!

If you live in an area where ticks are a problem...guineas are the best option. Good luck! They are the most entertaining birds ever!

Shelly

 

[nsanywhere]

1. How many guineas is a good number to start with?
6-8 is a good number. They like to pair off so try to keep even numbers, even if the same sex

2. Will they go out in the snow, or will they prefer to be cooped up all winter?
Mine are penned for winter - Nov to Apr. Not much to eat out there and they like a little protection from the elements

3. Will they really get on our cars and roofs? (I saw some of you talking about this in another thread.)
I've never had this happen, except one time they went on the roof because my cousins were chasing them. Generally they just run around the yard and roost high up in the trees.

4. How long after being brooded should they be shut in their coop so they know where home is?
4-8 weeks is good. Use food and a regular schedule to get them used to it.

5. If they do 'know' that their coop is home, will they come there to roost every night?
With food, yes.

6. Will they chase cats (and kittens)?
Mine don't chase anything - cats, kids, chickens, etc. They mostly run from everything and everyone except for me.

7. Will they chase small children?
No, they will mostly run away from kids.

8. Will they be tame enough to come when I call and eat out of my hand?
They will get used to you for sure, but don't count on eating out of your hands

They are EXCELLENT at tick and bug control, and a very comical animal to have around.