Will guineas tear up my flower beds?

[drewskimac]

I am not able to let my chickens roam freely because they tear up the flower bed. I have read that guineas are more likely to take advantage of the large plot of tall grass full of bugs next to the coop than the chickens would be, who choose to kick upp all of the mulch in the flower beds. I am wanting a few guineas for tick control, but not if they will destroy my flower beds.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

say

to your flowers

 

[drewskimac]

View attachment 1415546 say
View attachment 1415547 to your flowers

Dang! You think they will even if they have a big grassy area right next to the run? (It's about 1/5 of the distance they would have to travel to get to the flower beds)

 

[Percheron chick]

My guineas never scratched up the garden like the chickens do.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I am not able to let my chickens roam freely because they tear up the flower bed. I have read that guineas are more likely to take advantage of the large plot of tall grass full of bugs next to the coop than the chickens would be, who choose to kick upp all of the mulch in the flower beds. I am wanting a few guineas for tick control, but not if they will destroy my flower beds.

Yes and they will booly your chickens.

 

[drewskimac]

I've done some research on the subject and seen very mixed answers... Some say yes, and some say no. What I am specifically referring to is the guineas going into the flower bed, using their feed to kick up the mulch and digging around in it. I don't mind them simply walking through it and pecking insects and seeds.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I think it depends how close your flower beds are to your coop and how vigilant you can be in policing them. Our coop is quite a ways from our house but our last flock of chickens was allowed to explore way too much. They found the flower bed and completely destroyed it then they found our veggie garden, which was when they lost their free ranging privileges and became tractor chickens. Our current flock has been policed more closely. There are only a few off limits areas for them and they get chased off if they go there. They have learned and haven't ventured into my flower bed once. This flock includes guineas. I don't leave them out when I'm not home to watch them.

 

[R2elk]

I've done some research on the subject and seen very mixed answers... Some say yes, and some say no. What I am specifically referring to is the guineas going into the flower bed, using their feed to kick up the mulch and digging around in it. I don't mind them simply walking through it and pecking insects and seeds.

The guineas are not likely to scratch up the mulch in your flower beds but if they find the conditions to their liking they may dig dust bathing holes or holes for hidden nests.

I do not recommend raising or cooping guineas and chickens together.

 

[Wimomof2]

Mine have eaten all of my hostas off. But the have left the other flowers pretty much. But they do make bathing spots everywhere. And have been laying their eggs there as well . I have 15 total with 4 females.

 

[Flower84]

Our guineas do not scratch up the flowers but they do eat some of the strawberries and tomatoes on the edges of the patch. Not anything major. Weigh your pros and cons