13 Reasons why you should raise Guinea fowl

Guinea Fowl aren't for everyone, that's just the straight truth. They are loud, annoying, funny looking and dumber than you can believe. However they have several redeeming qualities that make farmers and backyard poultry keepers alike big fans of this silly looking bird.

I started raising Guinea fowl a few years back because of our tick problem. I've decided you either love guinea fowl or you hate them. I happen to love them and have found a whole bunch of reasons why I think everyone should get a few Guineas.

Why you should raise guinea fowl:

1) Tick control 

Yes, chickens will eat ticks that are in your yard and so will Guinea fowl. Guineas though, will forgo personal safety and enter the brush and woods to hunt out these minute pests which will help keep your kids and pets safer from tick borne illness like Lyme disease.

2) Watchdog 

Ever hear a flock of Guineas "go off"? It's like someone tripped the alarm system! It's pretty darn loud but it's a good indication that someone drove down the driveway, the neighbors dog is in the yard, a hawk is overhead etc etc. 

When you start to hear really loud Guinea fowl sounds, it's time to look out the window because something is up.

Raising chickens? 5 ways to use your smartphone.

If you're anything like me, you constantly have your cell phone with you. Even while tending the backyard chickens! According to Forbes, more than 82% of adults in the USA own a smartphone. Even farmers. (That was 2013, imagine the number now!) It's like a minicomputer in your pocket, and if you think you can use it to help organize your everyday life, imagine how you can use it in chicken care!

Of course we all know the usual things: take pictures of the chickens, post to Instagram, FB, Tweet about that new hatch, text hubby to pick up shavings or feed, answer email about the eggs you have for sale etc etc. All the usual suspects. Did you know you can use your phone in other ways? I have a few ways you probably never even thought of...

Raising backyard chickens: 5 ways to use your smartphone 

1) Candling eggs with your phone.

The flashlight app on your phone works by turning on your cameras flash. The app is free on both Android and Iphones. Did you know that this light is strong enough to candle an egg? I use it constantly, and it works like a charm! No more running in the house for a flashlight, just whip out your phone and you're good to go.

2) Taking notes in the coop.

Smartphones have apps that allow you to take notes. Many of them allow you to jot down 'voice notes' so you don't even have to type. Make feed store lists, repair lists, wish lists etc. No more getting to the feed store and thinking "Now, what was it that I needed?" You have a list in your phone...easy peasy!

3) Keep track of dates with chicken pictures.

Did you know that every picture you take automatically records the date it was taken? When you notice that hen has gone broody, snap a picture right away. There's no guessing when her eggs are due, just check the photo data and count forward 3 weeks for an exact date!

Take pictures of anything you want to keep track of....the phone will keep the date for you. Also, if your Android phone automatically stores your pictures to google photos, they are stored under the date they were created so it's super simple to look up!

Why you NEED an outdoor sink on a homestead

Ever have something come into your life and suddenly you wonder how you lived without it? Such is the story with my outside sink. I got along just fine without it for years....I washed feed bowls using the hose. I filled chick waterers with the hose. I pretty much used that hose for every single chicken chore I needed water for! Keeping backyard chickens can be messy and that hose worked overtime to help me clean it all up. 

Of course I was often leaning over to pick it up off the ground, or sitting on the ground to use it. It wasn't very comfortable but it got the job done so why complain? Then came the day Mr Roboto saw an ad for a sink. Not just any sink, a 3 bowl stainless steel commercial kitchen sink.....with drainboards. It was being sold by a person who had bought an old church and was turning it into a thrift shop. The price was right (cheap) and it was in the truck and on it's way here in no time.

I wasn't sure about this idea at first. This thing was huge! It was almost as long as our guinea house is wide (12 foot) and ended up taking up residence right alongside it. He had plans to install hot and cold water and a permanent drain, but those are on hold briefly. For now it has a cold water hose attached to it and the water simply runs out of the drains and into the rocks below. I couldn't imagine using this enough to justify it sitting there. 

Then begrudgingly I started using it. At first I put some hand soap out there and used to to wash up after gardening. Then I cleaned a few bowls in it, standing up instead of kneeling on the ground! The more I used it the more I realized that it really made keeping up with the chicken chores a whole lot easier. Now, I don't recommend you run out and buy a monster sink like this! However, I do believe that everyone who has chickens should have at least a small sink outside....and here is why:

Never release a pet to the wild!

It's almost Easter and that means that most feed stores and large chains like Tractor Supply Center have their annual chick and duck sale. TSC and many other feed stores try to be vigilant about making sure they get good homes. Many ask people to fill out forms, to purchase minimum amounts and they hand out pamphlets on proper care. They really do try their hardest to insure these animals are going to safe homes. 

Sadly, there's always some that think cute little chicks and ducks would make great Easter gifts for their kids. I agree, they would.....if you lived on a farm. However I've 'rescued' more then 1 set of ducks from apartment dwellers. Unfortunately many don't meet this kind fate, many get released to the wild to live with "their own kind". Mostly ducks. This is animal cruelty. This almost always ends in death for them. Let me tell you why.