Guinea Fowl

[wander]

My father in law has guinea fowl. They basically came with his land, he owns 5 acres. He does not feed them, they are self feeding... fortunately the bugs around here are plentiful (especially ticks). He has no insect problems on this land because of these creatures. I've seen 6 at a time on his land, free ranging. They are very skittish but never leave the property for more than an hour or so... I think he's got at least 2 or 3 groups of them running around.

Anyone have any experience with these things? I'm sure they'd make good food sources, they act somewhat like a cross between a wild turkey and a pheasant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guineafowl

[Atash Hagmahani]

I've never kept them, but I've heard plenty about them. They are loved or hated. Loved because they are less domesticated than a chicken and therefore even more self-sufficient. They are surprisingly aggressive birds that fight off predators, still roost in trees, find their own food, and are easy and tough birds to keep.

Hated because not as tame as a chicken, and reputedly make a gosh-awful racket.

Some people use them as watch animals, because they will raise a racket when strangers approach (possibly even attack!).

[Lady Lilya]

I have friends who have had them.  They complain about the noise.  They usually eat them quickly to eliminate that problem.

[wander]

Hmm. Yes, they are a little noisy but if you have a bit of land it doesn't seem to be a problem. They've been there for about 7 or 8 years, didn't even hear them until yesterday.

[offdalip]

Guinea Hens?

I suppose if you were trying to lay low and not attract attention to yourself they wouldn't work.

on vaca to P.R. a few years ago the owners of the property I stayed at kept some in a pen. Huge racket at certain
times of the day. I didn't mind. They were kind of musical in a way and didn't really sing at night

[opsec]

They eat ticks. In my book, they have earned their keep just for that.

[wander]

That was my thought... the fact that the hunt and eat ticks is enough for me.

[Dame]

Bantum might be a quieter choise for city folk with limited space.  About the same size as guinea fowl, but quiet and friendlier.  They do not eat ticks as far as I know.