The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: sillyewe on November 09, 2015, 11:18:54 am

Title: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: sillyewe on November 09, 2015, 11:18:54 am
Hi

I have a hedgerow which we planted a couple of years ago, it is double fenced and planted in the middle of a 4m wide strip.  Even after using weed control the hedge plants still seem to get smothered by weeds and long grass.  Someone has advised that we get some guinea fowl and use them in the area to scrap at the base of the hedge plants and keep the area clean.  They might also help with the wee voles and shrews chewing on the hedge stalks. 

What do folk think of guinea fowl for this job?  Any other poultry do the same trick?  We have some chichens and quil at the moment.

Thanks  :D
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: Marches Farmer on November 09, 2015, 11:25:55 am
I think srips of old carpet, cardboard, newspaper weighted down with soil or similar would do the job.  Guinea fowl, in my experience, are peckers rather than scratchers.
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: Stereo on November 09, 2015, 12:41:40 pm
Mini goats?
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: Eve on November 09, 2015, 06:58:54 pm
Guinea fowl are noisy, and not just a few times a day! We got rid of them because of the noise, and indeed I never saw them scratch - you need chickens for that.
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: devonlady on November 10, 2015, 12:31:49 am
But they are lovely and taste amazing!
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: Marches Farmer on November 10, 2015, 03:09:57 pm
I liked GF but their habit of laying wherever they happened to be at the time was rather irritating.
Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: LouiseG on November 13, 2015, 11:07:29 am
we have GF but they don't scratch or eat the weeds they only like the bugs on them, that is why gardeners like them and they are good in the veggie patch, so sorry no they won't do the job. I agree that a few hens would be a better solution.

Title: Re: Guinea Fowl or Similar?
Post by: sillyewe on March 28, 2016, 09:45:31 pm
Sorry for the non-reply. I was sure I had replied earlier but don't see it on the thread.

Anyway....

Thank you all for your replies.  We have opted to put some hens into the area. Waiting for hubby to get the second hen house up and will see how they get on. 

Thank you again. :)