Wandering busybodies

Guinea fowl are the landowner’s friend. They avidly hunt grasshoppers and other insects and will tackle all weed seed you can provide. These busy birds put in a good day’s work and are prepared to offer 24-hour watchdog skills as well. So why aren’t they more popular? Answer: the noise!

They’re a bird that’s edgy and active and they fill the air with shrieking calls. If something untoward catches their attention, all the guineas respond. That a cacophony of ear-splitting noise rents the air goes without saying.

So you can appreciate why they’re a rural bird. The noise they make would drive urban neighbours mad,