If I say the word "guinea" and you immediately think, "The Bachelor," and Bob Guiney, well that’s just sad. Squatting in the corner of the cage it reminds you of an old army helmet. Then, for no obvious reason, it will let out an ear piercing, peculiar scream. We speak of the guinea fowl. Plano Animals Services chased one down and brought it here.

        Farmers of the good old days, whenever that was, will tell you that these birds perform a number of functions. They control insect populations and have been credited with controlling Lyme Disease-bearing deer ticks. They are excellent watch birds and will sound off at just about anything out of the ordinary. Last, but not least, if you have guineas you won’t have snakes. I would question that one.

        Guinea Fowl originated in West Africa and look similar to turkeys. The diet of these birds, when full grown, consists of 90% insects with one of their favorite being the tick. Guineas walk around pecking the ground like drill sergeants eating any insect they come across. Many people use them for pest control in the garden and for controlling the tick population. If you or your neighbors have a beehive I would not recommend guineas.