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guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by bush_viper17 on August 6, 2005
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Do guinnea hens(im not sure if I spelled that correctly) kill snakes? I have heard that they do and others say they dont. The reason I am wondering is because my neighbor bought about 5 of them a few years ago and since then they have multiplied into about 20. They are very noisey and I always see them around a few of my favorite snake spots close to my home. If they do kill snakes or any other native wildlife, I will have to take action. This part is off topic: Why would anyone buy animals like that and let them multiply out of control and not at least keep them at home!!? Thanks.
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by ALA_herp31 on August 6, 2005
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Hi Jeremy, as for if Guinea Fowl Eating Snakes, im not sure. I do know that House Cats will catch and sometimes Eat Snakes. I had a House Cat that stayed outside all its life. Well, about once a Month I would find a Snake Dead and Un-Eaten laying either in the Yard or on the Porch. I also know that Pigs will Kill and Eat our Native Snakes and a lot of other Small Animals for that mater. As for People Keeping Non-Native Animals and letting them Run Free, its beyond me. I just see it as a Total Disrespect for Nature and Her Beauty. It also could be just strait Ignorance, of the Importance of Native Wildlife. I guess there are a lot factors that could be pointed out with this subject, but I just see it as a lack of Knowledge. Jeremy, a good way to try and solve the problem is to talk to your Neighbors and try to explain to them that the Animals they have are causing Native Wildlife Loss. Good luck and remember to always be nice when trying to Teach People about the Importance of our Native Friends...................Be safe ya’ll, happy herping Wally
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by bush_viper17 on August 6, 2005
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Thanks Wally. The people that own the fowls are kind of weird if you know what I mean, and it is rumored that the guy that lives in the house is a convicted child molestor, so I am kind of afraid to ask him. I was thinking of calling the animal control but I am not sure if they would or could help because they are always moving but stay in the same general area(of a mile or two surrounding my house) Oh yeah, the guy also stole one of my other neighbors chickens and put it in a cage on his front porch in clear view(like I said, hes kind of weird lol) Again, thanks for the advice.
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by Marty1st on August 7, 2005
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Guiney hens are great for insect control but are a nusance because of how noisey they are.All sp of fowl(chickens, turkeys )will eat snakes if given the chance.In fact theres not much that they won't eat.Thats why they should be kept penned up and controled.And they will continue to multiply quickly. Marty
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by bush_viper17 on August 7, 2005
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Thanks Marty. They are definetly noisey. I love when about 20 of them come into my yard at about 6 O'clock in the morning. WHat made me think to ask this question is because a water company cleared a little bit of land and put a few pumps in that area, it is now overgrown with vegetation and is perfect habitat for herps because the water that comes out of the thing they built made a little stream and I found a few snake skins in that area but the guineas seem to love that area now. I have also seen a few rattlesnakes there as well as king snakes and copperheads and small snakes like ringnecks and worm snakes. Thanks for responding.
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by keyz on August 7, 2005
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Hi mate well we have guinnea fowl in England and they are just that , foul. i dont much care for them as they are soooooo damn noisy, we dont even shoot them here now as most are to fat and lazy to fly, foxes do a great job of murderdering most of our wild fowl so guinnea s are always well controlled shame you cant re-locate a fox in there garden LOL I would not condone this for one moment, as I assume foxes are a bit hard to come by? Anyway in answer to your question yes the little sods kill slowworms seemingly mistaking them as a snake, there are usually 4-8 in a flock or whatever it is called, and it seems they go into a frenzy but never eat them. They have definitely done this in my local area but I thought it was natural behaviour so havent botherd documenting it. But really I love our reptilian friends and most other animals BUT I dont care much for fat birds, and guinnea fowl LOL;) so yep I think they will kill snakes and yep they MUST be a bit wierd to want a daft fat probably useless animal for a pet. But they must serve a purpose or they wouldnt have been invented? it might be so that you can see them so much better and appreciate them through good quality optics.......+. this is just my opinion only and i stand by it sorry if anyone is offended that is not my purpose. thankyou Kieron.
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by AquaHerp on August 7, 2005
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Guineafowl (one word actually) are not snake eaters and not truly a snake killer either. Although, the taking of a small juvenile snake may not be out of the question. It somewhat depends upon the species of Guineafowl you're looking at. The Helmeted variety seems to be the most omnivorous, and unfortunately the most common. But they are usually more insectivorous and perhaps the occasional toad, but a medium or large snake is usually not harassed. As a matter of fact I moved an Emory's rat snake this morning that was so fat from last night's dinner that it could barely move and our free-roaming Guineafowl paid no attention to it at all. Once again, a hatchling or neonate of any kind may not have been so fortunate, but then again, a snake of that size exposed at all would be a tender morsel to just about anything in the forest even without the Guineafowl as a factor, so it would be his mistake for hiding where he did. Wild turkeys pose the same, if not more of a threat to a young snake.
But, then again, they really don't belong there as a non-indigenous species, so maybe you'll get lucky and a family of fox or coyote will move in for a night or two at the buffet line!
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by Coralsnayk on August 8, 2005
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Not sure about Guineas, but my Peafowl do eat snakes. I have witnessed this a few times. Usually some pitiful little garter or ring neck snake. In their native India, they will probably take small cobras or anything else they can overpower.
http://www.coralsnakes.com/blue1.jpg
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by agkistrodude on January 1, 2009
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I've personally seen Guineafowl kill and eat many snakes. It may not be their preffered food, but if they see one, they'll eat it. Last year I ran off several that had pinned down a large black rat snake and were killing it. By the time I arrived it was about dead. I put it down.The snake was over 4 ft long. Marty
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RE: guinnea hens vs. snakes
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by Maria50 on August 1, 2011
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ALA_herp31 and bush_viper17
You wrote "As for People Keeping Non-Native Animals and letting them Run Free, its beyond me. I just see it as a Total Disrespect for Nature and Her Beauty"
I would agree with the above statement but wonder about the cat you kept and let free range on the native species of snakes????
You speak of the ignorance of others and totally ignore the situation of losing native species of snakes by your own cat.
Interesting to say the least.
If you were to check, I am sure you will find that there is little to no real concern for the tiny flock of birds that bush_viper's neighbor actually raised. They do not breed precipitously to the detriment of other native birds or reptiles. I find the complaint actually lacking any real merit.
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