As tick populations continue to spread across Canada, more residents in Nova Scotia are seeking ways to safeguard their properties. One unconventional solution gaining popularity involves utilizing guinea fowl, a unique bird species known for their insect-devouring nature.
Heather Squires, a long-time guinea fowl breeder in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has experienced a surge in demand for these birds this year. With inquiries doubling and sales surpassing 70 keets (baby guinea fowl), she has temporarily halted sales to ensure an adequate number for tick control on her farm.
Despite Nova Scotia being identified as having the highest tick population in Canada last year, the rise in ticks and tick-borne diseases like anaplasmosis has prompted a new approach to combat the issue.
While the efficacy of guinea fowl in reducing tick populations is debated, Bruce Rathgeber from Dalhousie University acknowledges their potential as a supplementary control method. However, he emphasizes that maintaining proper landscape management practices, such as keeping grass short and clearing wooded areas, remains a more reliable tick control strategy.
Guinea fowl are notoriously loud and challenging to breed in captivity, with intelligence levels being a point of contention. Breeders like Phalen MacLean have noted their birds’ nesting behaviors, including nesting in hidden areas and roosting in trees even during harsh weather conditions, which exposes them to predators.
To address these challenges, breeders recommend training guinea fowl to return home at night by keeping them indoors for a few weeks initially. These birds are preferred over chickens for bug control as they consume insects without damaging vegetation directly.
Considering the space required for guinea fowl to roam freely, prospective owners are advised to assess their yard size and proximity to neighbors before acquiring these birds. Additionally, living near busy roads poses a threat to guinea fowl due to their lack of road awareness.
In conclusion, while guinea fowl may offer some benefits in tick control, they should be viewed as part of a comprehensive approach to managing tick populations effectively.
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