Wish I could do this, but wouldn't work in suburbia with close neighbors who might object to the noise they make. Would they fly out of a fenced yard to take up residence somewhere else? How do you keep them at home?
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Hope you have better luck than these people.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
COOL!!!
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
Hi Lymetoo!
Poppy, I have not seen the link nor does it sound like I want to, to be honest. I am new to Guineas and learn as I go but good results so far. We have neighbors but not a neighborhood homeowner's association (thank God) and I will have to spend some time supervising the birds' first outings. If you leave them in the coop until they accept it as their safe place and home, they tend to return to it and I will help if needed.
Does your link say something helpful? Can always learn something...
I tried it but is was broken. Maybe God was watching out for me...
Guineas fall prey to predators and you have to prtect them at night - we got an electric fence around the coop - so far so good.
they can fly out of a fenced yard, yes, but come back home if they are comfortable there and if properly trained
sorry your neighbors may object - they are Very Noisy birds - that is true...
if you keep only males it is a little less noisy an dthey eat ticks, too, and get along
just a thought
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
The link works for me, but don't read it if you think it will worry you. Basically it says predators can get them when they go wandering away from the coop and yard, and their dog could not be trusted with them either.
I have an outbuilding that would work for guinea hens, which is why it was interesting. But too many close neighbors and dogs off leash.
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
ok, thanks!
an electric fence, about a foot off the ground, would deter a dog, I think
you could make an enclosure for them that lets them "do their thing" (eat ticks and bugs and grasses) in yoru garden or on your lawn, where you plan to spend time
the hens make the typical buck-wheat call (very loud) and the both sexes make the warning call (but not as often) so some people just keep a few boys to keep the noise to a minimum and still have them
there is a lot of good info out on them and it is good to think about it before you get them, for sure
I am still working on details for them to range our yard and not bother neighbors and cars, etc. and not get eaten
hens also are known for making nests outside the coop and getting eaten while roosting at night (they don't come home when they are on the nest and you got to find them: extra chores)
still, I am so happy with them, they are very special, but not for everyone, I have to admit
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
here is another information on Guineas link for the interested:
Ducks also eat ticks...I chose them over guineas as we already have chickens and didn't want to deal with the noise/flighty behavior. My ducks live with my daughters chickens and come in at night, free range during the day. I have not found a SINGLE tick on my dogs, kids, etc since getting them. We have 2 ducks for about 1.5 acres...(we had 4 ducks until a Fisher Cat came for a visit ) Ducks are HILARIOUS, easy to care for and can be trained. We have really enjoyed them.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I guess my neighbors won't mind as long as I follow the leash laws.
Pam
Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :
the more animals, the more happiness
and trees, of course
"I am the Lorax, I speak for teh trees!"
Just being silly.
Got to do it somewhere!
It feels good.
Had not thought about ducks, but they sound good, too. So sorry you lost two of them. But glad you still have the other two, tofumama.
A friend of mine has many animals in a small yard: ducks, geese, turkeys, phesant, Guineas, pot bellied pigs and goats, and she is so happy with her managerie.
Once you make up your mind to do the chores every day, the animals can really give a lot back and make you very happy. You spend more time outside instead of in front of the computer.
At least that's what it did for me.
Hope everyone is well again soon and can enjoy their lives!!!!!
PS: laws do change from place to place - I did call teh sheriff and the animal control folks, before getting Guineas, to get the scoop on our local laws - and I sent a letter to our neighbors about getting teh fowl - all is well here - good luck!
Posted by tofumama (Member # 22456) on :
I find sharing eggs helps too...and we also have docuks and are lucky our little roo doesn't crow until after 6am so he doesn't bother the neighbors Posted by WendyK (Member # 18918) on :
I had guinea hens for a while and loved them! Yup, they were noisy, but in a fun way, and they didn't seem to bother the neighbors with it.
They did, however, like to wander. Home base was here, but I think they did most of their tick-scavenging up and down my street. They would hang around for a bit in the morning when I let them out, and then begin their daily trek.
I didn't know how far this daily stroll went until I started talking to my neighbors. Turns out they were going a half mile to the end of the road and back every day! The only pseudo-complaint I got from a neighbor was that the birds got a little too friendly and were on her porch - and she had no idea what they were.
In the end though, the Fisher is what did them in. They'd go out on their daily trek, and come back minus one each day until they were no more. This was happening during the day, not while they were roosting. My neighbor found the evidence of the daily disappearance.
Now several years later, I'm thinking we might get some chickens and guineas again soon, we'll see. They are a riot to watch! Ducks could be fun, but I don't think I have sufficient water for them to be happy.
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) Ducks are HILARIOUS, easy to care for and can be trained. We have really enjoyed them.
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