[sillyewe]

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 

[Marches Farmer]

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.

[Stereo]

Mini goats?

[Eve]

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.

[devonlady]

But they are lovely and taste amazing!

[Marches Farmer]

I liked GF but their habit of laying wherever they happened to be at the time was rather irritating.

[LouiseG]

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.

[sillyewe]

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.