Need Help with Guinea Keets

[chickenmadness7]

I just purchased 6 guinea Keets last week because state law required purchase of 6. I'm feeling nervous about their noise when they're adults because we have an HOA and technically shouldn't have them. We have 3 acres and are tucked away in the woods though. I have a friend that will take in up to 4 of the keets and then I would add 2 regular chickens. Do you think this scenario will result in a quieter situation? I really wanted the guineas to protect my family from Lyme disease as we've been affected more than once now. Thank you in advance.

 

[Percheron chick]

Guineas do best in a large group. 6 is about the smallest flock I would go. They can be noisy. Mine tend to make the biggest racket at dusk when the first roost. If you've had problems with ticks, your neighbors have as well. Go talk with them. They would probably put up with 15 minutes of a racket every night than weeks flat on their back. I would get the chickens sooner than later. My keets act more like chickens than guineas at time probably because they have always been together. If you have to get rid of them, chickens are better than nothing to help with the ticks. You could also be devious and just feed the "wild" dumped guineas that moved in behind you.

My guinea hens are slightly less noisy than the cocks but if they get separated from the others, all bets are off.

 

[chickenmadness7]

Thank you so very much for your candid response.

 

[huntseat]

It's very important to get you family to buy into the "wild" story or you might be in for a fight with a pissy jerk in your HOA.