HGG Community Forums

LOL!

This is why I want some :D

http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/6/6c/6c16bc5a_85807_guineas_snake_011b.jpeg

They are EXCELLENT pest control birds and are pretty hard on snakes. If you would like a snake or two around your place to keep the rodent population down, then you better get a cat because the Guineas will wipe out the snakes unless they are huge. They are almost impossible to catch unless you get them trained to come into the coop at night, but they will usually forget. They are some of the most interesting characters to watch and are great study in ADD in action. That being said, they are the best alarm system. You will always know when someone comes up to your place. They make a heck of a racket that you cant miss. They have a certain sound for alarming the flock, but then it is funny to hear them talk to each other. I cant describe what is sounds like, but every once in a while I'm certain one of them is in mid sentence and yells "Squirrel" and off they go in another direction. They are entertaining to watch and you are right, they would be a good candidate for the Darwin award if they weren't so good at sounding the alarm and catching bugs and snakes.

I personally have never collected their eggs or raised them as my friend is the one that has them, but somehow they manage to have a few chicks every year. Foxes, coyotes, dogs, and cats can and will get them, but they have to be very clever and very quiet. Chris usually loses a couple a year, but then a couple of babies survive so it all works out. I think she has around 10 total. I have never heard of the looking up at the sky and drowning thing, so that may be a tall tale, but I have seen one frighten at nothing and run so hard into the side of a coop that it broke its neck. The barn cat was very happy that day. Oh also, they will, on occasion, stand up to a cat...which is hilarious to watch.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=472537442847599 actually already had it on there...see if this works :)