Winter predation?

[Ghosty]

I just love guineas! They are awesome watch dogs/alarm systems. Mine would always seem to know that there was a predator coming before I could even see anything (this was especially true with aerial predators like hawks and eagles). They are great at pest control as well, which is a huge added bonus!

I started with two flocks of guineas. The thing I didn't like was the guineas pulling chicken feathers once I got chickens. I couldn't treat my birds because the guineas would get vicious. I learned they need to be kept separately from my chickens, so they went.

 

[Cryss]

should note the predators which i know of (seen or been told are in my province and areas where we own land) are, mink, weasel, marten, fisher, skunk, otter, raccoons, wolves, foxes, coyotes, bobcat, lynx, cougars, black bears.

I've pretty much got the same predators, maybe not lynx or wolves, not sure about marten. I am entering my 3rd year with chickens and have not lost a bird yet. Yet.
It's that "yet" that scares me. I've had them in a TSC coop (yeah I know!) which has been enclosed in a chain link dog run (300sqft) which has been covered, sides, top, and apron, with 1/2inch hardware cloth.
This fall we completed and moved the birds into an 8x12 walk in coop which is connected to their run, not inside. Windows and doors lock with carabiners, hc apron surrounds it, covers all vents and windows, the bottom 4 feet of the wall frame were covered with hc before covering with plywood, and the base below the floor is also covered in hc. I don't have electric fence, hope to at some point. My fear is bears in spring when they wake up hungry, fall when they try to fatten up for winter hibernation, and summer when they want a quick opportune snack. My old coop was inside the protected run. My new coop isn't. My hope is a bear won't come ripping the door off.
Question for those who use electric fence. How do you use it in winter when snow and ice bury them?

 

[natyvidal]

That’s why I included them in my flock! I call them my security guards!

 

[natyvidal]

I started with two flocks of guineas. The thing I didn't like was the guineas pulling chicken feathers once I got chickens. I couldn't treat my birds because the guineas would get vicious. I learned they need to be kept separately from my chickens, so they went.

Hi. You can also try raising the guineas from babies together in the same area of the chickens. They will imprint. I did that with mine and there is a pecking order but they get along.

 

[Ghosty]

Hi. You can also try raising the guineas from babies together in the same area of the chickens. They will imprint. I did that with mine and there is a pecking order but they get along.

I've read up on everything guinea at one time. I did raise the second flock with some Brahmas. Any new additions to flock, though, are not part of that guinea group. I had 8 guineas then. They got along mostly, but throw down some scratch and the guineas would be pulling tail feathers and chasing the littles, and the chickens don't understand their methods. I've seen the Brahmas try to act like guineas, it's funny. In the end, I became obsessed with game chickens, and got rid of my guineas and got a rooster.

 

[Sydney65]

I don't have a particular season that's worse, or better.
We have more hawks in spring and summer, bet they get very few of our birds. One bantam pullet this summer only. She's missed, but at least only one.
Since we have a very secure coop, our worst losses are daytime; a very occasional missing bird.
Canines!!! Our worst, a few years ago, in spring to a sick mangy fox, ten nice hens one afternoon. He chose actively laying hens only, and came back for refills.
Then, this spring, our own dog, when our fence failed, 28(!!!) birds, awful!
Good security at night is so important!
Because of our farm layout, electric poultry fencing can't be set up around the coop. If possible, it's the way to go for ground predators.
Mary

Have you looked into solar electric fencing, or is power not the issue? Have not used it myself, was reading abt it-might be worth inquiring abt.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I started with two flocks of guineas. The thing I didn't like was the guineas pulling chicken feathers once I got chickens. I couldn't treat my birds because the guineas would get vicious. I learned they need to be kept separately from my chickens, so they went.

I'd add Guinea's in a second, if the Mrs would agree. Funny - when I typed this, somehow autocorrect replaced the word "second" with decibels - which is exactly her concern - how much noise they make.
I also read somewhere that they are smart and aggressive insect eaters- is it possible to keep bees with Guineas or will they learn to eat the bees as they leave or return to the hives?

 

[Folly's place]

My coop location is the problem; I don't have enough space around it for a electrified poultry yard.
Guineas are WAY too loud!! Our neighbors on the coop side of the property would be screaming too, and I wouldn't blame them!
Mary

 

[NHMountainMan]

My coop location is the problem; I don't have enough space around it for a electrified poultry yard.
Guineas are WAY too loud!! Our neighbors on the coop side of the property would be screaming too, and I wouldn't blame them!
Mary

We're fortunate that our closest neighbor is a 1/2 mile away, so the only ones the noise would bother is the Mrs. And we have an enormous tick problem. But I want them to eat ticks, but stay away from my honeybees!

 

[Folly's place]

So far we don't have a big tick problem, just some. Not that any are a good thing!
We had neighbors 1/2 mile away, and we could hear there guineas just fine...
Our chickens will just have to help with the ticks.
Mary