Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 12:22:23 -0400
From: Dr John R Dykers
Subject: chicken pets for bug conrtrol in Pittsboro
Don’t know rules in Pittsboro, BUT, there is a guinea hen (formerly a pair) that plays around the grounds of the condo in WINSTON-SALEM! Bugs Carol that it poops on the stoop, but guineas are great bug eaters, ticks included.
They are “crazier” than chickens but not much! Probably a lot will depend on your neighbors and whether they like the idea, so you might share with them before buying. Starting with a bitty so it grows up feeling at home would be true with either species and a pen might be more important as a roost safe from predators than a control for the fowl. Eggs from either may be a bonus to share with the neighbors. If the fowl runs free it will eat more bugs and generally do less damage and spread the poop around where it is more fertilizer. May run off or get run over but usually will return readily to where it is fed “treat” food regularly.
John Dykers