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 the use of guinea fowl, distinctive birds closely related to chickens and turkeys, known for their insatiable appetite for insects, including ticks.
Heather Squires, a long-time guinea fowl breeder in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has experienced a surge in demand for these birds, with inquiries doubling this year compared to previous years. Due to the high demand, she has temporarily suspended sales to ensure an adequate supply for tick control on her own farm, where tick sightings are uncommon despite being in Lunenburg County.
The increased interest in guinea fowl has also attracted new breeders like Phalen MacLean from New Glasgow, who noticed a significant decline in the local tick population as her flock of guinea fowl expanded to 13 birds. Last year, Nova Scotia was identified as having the highest number of ticks in Canada, with reports of an increase in tick-borne diseases like anaplasmosis over the past decade.
While the effectiveness of guinea fowl in controlling tick populations remains a topic of debate, Bruce Rathgeber, a professor at Dalhousie University, believes they can serve as a supplementary method based on his own experience. Rathgeber highlighted that research suggests landscape management practices, such as maintaining short grass and clearing wooded areas around homes, are more reliable for tick control.
Guinea fowl are known for their challenging breeding habits and vocal nature. MacLean mentioned that these birds can be difficult to breed in captivity and may exhibit questionable intelligence, such as nesting in concealed spots and roosting in trees even during harsh weather conditions, making them vulnerable to predators. To address these challenges, Squires recommends training the birds to return home at night by keeping them indoors for a few weeks, similar to chickens.
Both breeders emphasized the need for ample space for guinea fowl to roam freely and advised potential owners to consider their yard size and surroundings before acquiring these birds. They also cautioned against keeping guinea fowl near busy roads due to the risk of accidents.
In conclusion, while guinea fowl are being increasingly recognized for their potential in tick control, they are best utilized as part of a comprehensive approach that includes landscape management practices for effective tick prevention.
