Ticks are part of farm life in Missouri, and BF Farm has long used poultry as part of a mixed-species barnyard. We have personally noticed fewer ticks in some areas when birds are actively foraging. That observation is worth sharing—but it should not be turned into a scientific claim that guinea fowl or chickens are reliable tick control.

What the Research Says About Guinea Fowl

Two speckled guinea fowl forage in green pasture in front of a small group of black-and-ginger spotted Kunekune pigs.
Guinea fowl are part of BF Farm's mixed-species barnyard, but farm observation is not proof of reliable tick control.

A 2024 field study found no evidence that guinea fowl provided effective biological control of lone star ticks or tick-borne pathogens; the birds could themselves host lone star tick nymphs. [1] So when BF Farm says guinea fowl have seemed helpful here, that is farm experience, not proof that adding guineas will solve another farm's tick problem.

Habitat Management Has Better Evidence

Managed pasture edge with brush and tall vegetation reduced along the fence line
Reducing brush, woody debris, tall vegetation, and humid edge habitat makes those areas less favorable for ticks.

Livestock tick guidance emphasizes reducing brush, woody debris, tall vegetation, and humid edge habitat where ticks wait for hosts. Keeping vegetation short and allowing more sunlight into problem edges can make those areas less favorable for ticks. [2] Missouri Extension likewise describes habitat management and appropriately targeted acaricides as part of tick-population management. [3]

Check the Animals

Handler parting a Kunekune's thick coat while checking the pig for ticks
Frequent hands-on checks help find ticks hidden under a thick coat, especially after pigs use brushy or wooded edges.

Ticks can be hard to see under a thick coat. Pay attention to thinner-skinned, protected areas such as the ears, jaw, belly, flank, and skin folds. Frequent checks are especially useful after pigs have been in brushy or wooded-edge areas. [2]

What About Chickens?

Chickens scratching and foraging around Kunekune pigs in a barnyard
Chickens forage for many invertebrates around the farm, but BF Farm does not treat poultry as guaranteed tick control.

Chickens scratch and forage around barns and may eat many kinds of invertebrates. We enjoy having them as part of the farm system, but we do not treat them as a guaranteed tick-control program. The same goes for guinea fowl.

When More Control Is Needed

Handler applying a targeted on-animal tick treatment to a Kunekune pig
Heavy or recurring tick pressure may justify veterinarian-guided, label-directed on-animal control.

If ticks are heavy, recurring, or causing animal-health concerns, ask your veterinarian which on-animal products are appropriate for pigs and follow the product label. For environmental control, target actual tick habitat rather than indiscriminately treating open pasture. [2] [3]

BF Farm's Practical Approach

Kunekune pigs and farm poultry in a maintained pasture and barn setting
BF Farm layers habitat management, regular pig checks, farm-fit poultry, and stronger control when tick pressure requires it.
  • Keep brush and debris under control near high-use pig areas.
  • Check pigs regularly during tick season.
  • Use birds because they fit our farm—not because they are proven tick medicine.
  • Escalate to veterinarian-guided or label-directed control when tick pressure requires it.

Sources & References

  1. PubMed: Release the Hens — Guinea Fowl as Tick Control
  2. Penn State Extension: Protecting Livestock Against Ticks
  3. University of Missouri Extension: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases