Thinking about getting some Guineas

[Serama Newbee]

I have had some problems with hawks concerning my present flock of 41 chickens, and have also had some problems with ticks, weeds and Japanese beetles. My main concern, though was my hawk problem. I did some researching online, and saw that Guineas would not only ward off hawks, but would also keep my other problems at bay too.
In my experience with information portrayed online, though, is that it is often put out to be a lot better than it actually is. How much of the info above is accurate, and to how much of a degree?
If I decide to go through with guineas, will they be a problem in roosting with my current chickens in their present coop, or will I have to build a new one just for them? Will they get along well with the rest of the flock? Are Guinea males aggressive toward eachother? Will they be aggressive toward my present rooster of the flock?
I know I have a lot of questions, but I am very new to this, and want to know as much about this as I can before I act.
Thanks!

 

[Kevin565]

I've seen hawks take guineas like it was nothing. If your main purpose for them is hawk control I would advise something else,

 

[PeepsCA]

Not all Guineas flocks are the same or behave/act the same, and not everyone's experiences with their flocks are always going to be identical, so some of what you have read can be entirely true. I always try to keep that in mind when I am giving Guinea advise, but some are oblivious and think their birds' behavior is typical of all Guineas... in my experience that something that is definitely is not always true.

My Guineas are very effective at pest control, especially the ticks, grasshoppers snakes... and the big hairy wolf spiders. Pest control is why I got them in the first place and they have definitely earned their keep in that department. They are also very effective weed and weed seed munching machines. But since I always feed my breeding flocks greens veggies and tomatoes from my gardens, I do not allow any of my birds in the gardens at all... they would strip my veggies clean in a heartbeat because they have been fed those plants from the time they were keets.... so I cannot attest for their effectiveness of eradicating japenese beetles from a garden.

I have a lot of Guineas (light colors and dark colors), but not a high hawk threat, (I do not own chickens)... I have never lost a Guinea to a hawk in 8 yrs. My Guineas will sound off the alarm call and run for cover if any large bird flies overhead tho. I think the more Guineas you have the more alert they can be to hawks and other skyward dangers, but since I've always had a lot of birds I cannot prove that, just makes sense for my multiple flocks. If one of my flocks sounds off because they see danger then they all sound off, look for the danger and will run for cover if needed.

As far as roosting with your chickens/sharing a coop... that could eventually be a problem, especially during breeding season. Males with raging hormones typically become overly aggressive in close quarters. BUT, that being said some people have perfectly happy mixed flocks, some have nothing but problems... I do have several friends and keet/Guinea customers that have happily mixed flocks, so it really all depends on the particular birds and the coop/run set up and poultry routine. Guineas need a lot of space and free range time to stay content tho, and more than just a few other Guineas in their flock to keep their focus on their own kind. If you have a large coop and everybody gets plenty of free range time that can be the key to a peaceful mixed flock, (but it doesn't always guarantee it). Laying Hens can become too stressed out from the aggression level in the coop and pen, and their laying can suffer from it.

Best case scenario (IMO) would be to have a separate coop/pen for each flock and just free range them all together for the hawk warning/alarm call benefits.

 

[Serama Newbee]

Thank you so much! I think that is what I will do -separate coops and free ranging together. I free range my chickens on five acres, and they are very happy. I would never do anything but that, seeing the joy it gives them. Will I have any problems with them occasionally roosting in the chicken coop? I will have them raised in their own coop, so in my experience, they should be fine..

Along with eating the weeds, will Guineas also eat my decorative plants such as hostas?

About how far do they range? I have a neighbor a little down the way, and I don't want him getting ticked off.

Thank you very much!

 

[PeepsCA]

Depending on your fencing/property boundaries they may or may not stick close to home... mine respect my fences (plus they have all been trained to come running for treats when I call them and if I see them wandering too far I just call them back), but it took a lot of conditioning/correction/treat rewards to get them to accept that my 10+ acres is home and is where they need to stay. If you can free range them when you are home for a while, and can keep an eye on them/correct them or call them back for treats whenever they wander too far they can eventually learn to stay a little closer to home (not all do... but consistent correction is really key). Giving them dust bathing areas and mirrors, even hanging wild bird feeders that they can forage under, and treats off and on randomly they the day while they are out also helps keep them home... your goal is getting them to realize that home is a good place to be that meets all their needs usually works out for the best. Laying season is typically when the Hens wander off farther to find nesting spots, so if you can keep them cooped each day until they have laid their eggs they should stay closer to home. My birds tend to stick closer to home and their coops/pens in the off season.

I don't have any issues with my birds eating any of my flowers... and as long as they have other sources of greens to forage from (even lush green grass) they should leave your flowers alone too... but I can't guarantee it, since all Guineas/flocks have minds of their own. I have read lots of posts where Hens choose to lay/nest in Hostas tho.

 

[tomingreeneco]

I have guineas, ducks and chickens. All are in separate coops. Have not really had a hawk problem (lost only one chicken to one) but do have problems with fox and coyote. 3 times my guineas have warned me of a fox or coyote in the area and have saved me from a lose. The love Japanese beetles. You should have at least 10 (more if possible). My guineas fight among themselves but have never bothered the chickens or ducks. The ducks sometime go after the guineas if they are being particularly annoying that day

. Hope this helps

 

[Serama Newbee]

Alright, thank you everyone! I think I will want to get guineas, with all the befits they bring. I am so busy with new projects with my chickens, it will probably be next year before I get around to getting into these guys. As far as getting some, though, I was looking on some of the hatchery sites, and I see there's a 25-30 chick minimum! That's definitely not a number I want to get started with, lol. Does anyone have any hatching eggs they would have to sell in the spring when I am ready? I'm kind of interested in the purples, porcelains, and pearls.