Hi! This week we made the decision to start our homestead with guinea hens, up to two dozen we are thinking? We have over 5 acres and the land has gone pretty wild or been wild I guess is more accurate, back in the day it was a hayfield mostly but now its people's homes And a state forest/ park. Behind us is a farm and the forest but we are residential enough that we can see neighbors from the road! Its perfect but there are ticks and its going to be so much work to get everything going and about 6 years before its a functioning 'farm' small but what we need you know. Chickens are our project next spring and setting up for goats but this year we are just clearing the land or everything, doing some tilling and planting a small garden. But we're having a hard time with pests. Its no fun and my husband is all over my guinea hen idea ( which really stems from watching a pheasant eating bugs in my back yard sneakily around a goose doing the same a few days ago. I looked it up and it seems these lovely birds love to clean land for people. I could probably get the tractor store to order keets as I do want a couple dozen but I'm hoping to get at least a few hens off the bat and get them out patrolling. We will build them a nice little house they can sleep in at night and I read they can be enticed in with some mixed grains. But otherwise they'll be loose. Which is where question number one comes up. How do I convince them to stay on our land and out of the road and away from my neighbors land... If possible. We don't know people yet and I do think they will be somewhat irritated if suddenly there is a flock of hens in their garden. I have a dog. She won't go after them or bark but will they be afraid? Or are they cocky like roosters and geese and ducks and just ignore everyone who isn't chasing them. If I get a few males will they form family groups and reproduce and possibly add to my flock? Will eagles take them? I feel like they look tough like they won't have much to worry about. Chickens always look like prey to me like I think I will keep our chickens in a run but these could run loose? Do they leave and go live in trees? They fly right? If I can find some for a good price ( speaking of... What's a good price for a yearling/ any other age?) how would I transport them? Dog kennel? Oh the questions I have. If I can't find them and I must start with keets... Can someone please describe a cost effective way if growing these birds well and at what point I can release them. Any and all advice is appreciated I firmly believe in all things one must do the best they can so I need info and I would love photos of enclosures. Also if anyone knows anywhere I can get them ( Owego Ny ideally or Newark valley?) I would love a reference, I would happily take a family of very destructive hens off someone's hands and I promise not to eat them I just want their services for which they will earn their keep. Thank you all for reading and for every response.