The truth about ticks

[canesisters]

Thanks!! That's a lot of great info.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello:

Have had Guineas for about 7 years. They will return to a roost, but you have to hold them in this for at least 6 weeks until they know it is home.
This pretty much is common knowledge and an unbending rule of Guinea ownership.

The can and do survive on "poultry/scratch" for extended periods of time.

They will eat grass hoppers, ticks and vegataion. They LOVE pinky mice and small snakes.

They will roost on the highest point you have in your roosting pen.

They drink water like it is a rarity.

They are extremly stupid birtds, BUT the instinct to survive is very strong.

They are NOT like chicken hens that just quit when chased and they are very good at flying a decent distance.

They will sound off for no reason at all, and they are VERY loud expecially in a group of 10 or more.

They WILL wonder your property and spread out more and more every day in search for ticks and hoppers.

They can and do get lost and sometimes do not come home for a few days.

NEVER let just one out with out them knowing and seeing where the rest of their flock are.
as you WILL lose them to a predator.

They are NOT particullarly good to eat. They taste like a game duck, but more game.

They are VERY entertaining and easy to care for.

They WILL run into the path of a vehicle.

They tend to go out very early and come home very late, unlike a chicken.

There seems to be no boss Guinea like a rooster in a flock of hems.

They get along just fine with chickens, but NOT with ducks.

Dogs LOVE to chase them and catch them and eat them.

Cats want NOTHING to do with them.

They WILL roost in a tree next to the roosting home, expecially when the night is hot.

Predators such as fox, dog, bigger cats, racoons and such will catch them with a bt of effort.

They come in well over 20 different colors.

They are just as cute as a button when they are keets.

They take 28 days instead of 21 to hatch out.

They Guinea hens WILL nest on the ground and they are community nesters.

A number of hens will lay in one nest and finally one hen will take on the challenge of sitting.

They usually DO NOT live to hatch out thier young.

If they do they are HORRID mothers.

You will get to know them and love them for what they are.

Hope this helps:

Guiena Goonie

 

[canesisters]

LOL - thank you.
informative and entertaining

 

[R2elk]

Hello:


They are NOT particullarly good to eat. They taste like a game duck, but more game.


Guiena Goonie

Guineas are without doubt some of the finest eating there is. Guineas must be properly killed, dressed and prepared. If the guineas that you ate were gamy, then they cannot have been taken care of properly.

I have killed, processed and prepared my own guineas and they were absolutely delicious.

 

[canesisters]

Quote:
This is the sort of thing that keeps me away from BYC more often than not. I appreciate any opinions about your personal experience with your own guineas. I have no experience of my own (yet) and am just starting to filter through all the info out there. But a statement like that seems to assume some sort of lacking on the other person's ability/knowledge - and almost always starts some sort of argument. I had not even considered eating them, but will be forewarned that I need more info before taking that step.

 

[soldier]

Hi all. I'm considering adding guineas to the 'chicken kids' for their famous tick eating ability.
Question is - is it true?
A few more questions:
* Will they return to the coop to roost? Or will I just be feeding the wildlife in the woods until I'm out of guineas?
* I should know this.... but do they eat the same feed as chickens? My chickens stay penned all the time. If I let the guineas wander should I provide a feeder outside the pen?? No feeder at all - let them eat ticks?? Don't worry about it, they'll get back in the pen if they want feed??
* Are they REALLY all that loud all the time??? Or only when disturbed? And do guineas consider a leaf falling to be a disturbance or will they mostly be settled except for things that get the dogs going anyway? (someone pulles up the drive, stray dog wanders through, etc)
* Just how far DO they wander?? I have about 5 acres surrounded by a couple more of woods. Will my neighbors be calling me to 'come get these ugly chickens' out of their yards?

Thanks,
Debbie

Prior to guineas we both dog/humans were loaded with ticks. After guineas no ticks.........AT ALL. Even the dog did not need Frontline. My guineas roost above the coop in trees in summer and winter inside the coop. They wander about 1/2 mile or so. They love to be LOUD, DISCUSS THINGS AND ENJOY LIFE. If you do not like loud do not get them but then also ponder having Lyme disease instead.
GOT TO LOVE THE GUINEAS and all of its DRAMA!