How can i tell the sex of my guinea fowl?

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BillyRocks

BillyRocks

In the Brooder
10 Years
Jun 5, 2009
18
0
22
I bought 2 very young Guineas and were told 1 was a male and the other a female. Now they are fighting and making each other bleed its terrible. I assume that means they are both male.
How can i tell the difference. They are my first guinea fowl so i am a little confused.
Help
Do i need to keep them in separate them?
 
First let me says it is very unusual for young keets to attack each other, especially those raised together.

Second, when this behavior does occur it is usually environmental.
In other words, they get too hot, not enough food or water, or are cramped in too small of an enclosure.

If you are sure the environmental factors are not present, then perhaps the keets were from seperate pens with no previous contact.

If these keets were older (almost adult), I would say might be male against male. Except, I have never known them to draw blood in these battles. (Unless they are from two seperate flocks).

As far as sexing keets, (unless you are experienced at sexing by their vent), sex is usually determined by their call. The female making a two-syllable call.

If possible, could you post a picture?
 
I have never heard of guinea fowl being sexed as very young. I would guess they can be vent sexed but have never seen a hatchery actually do it. I dont think the fact that they are fighting means they are both males. It is more likely that they are not hatch mates and were put together out of different hatches, but that is just a guess. with guinea fowl they may just fight for the heck of it. I would seperate them if it looks like one is doing actual damage, otherwise I would expect them to figure it out.
 
I agree with Munchies on every point.

If those two keets were raised in the same pen then they should be very bonded to each other and almost create their own "herd". Thats what my 7 3 week old keets do.

It sounds more like your keets are either too hot or in too small of a cage.

(I've had 2 cocks in the same batch of keets twice and they never really fought.)

Good luck and I hope you figure it out
smile.png
 
Sorry i forgot to mention they have grown up now. They about 3 months old. They grew up together and are free range from 8am to 5pm everyday. I doubt it is environmental its a steady temperature in the day here and always have access to water. Its kind of strange but they seem to be settling down now. i separated them and they made so much noise when they couldn't see each other. They seem to be happy again..? I'm a little confused
 
Quote:
Well then, sounds pretty clear, that they are not a mated pair.

But just for reference, a female will lower her posture when poked or clawed by a male. She will put her head lower, wings drop, and she will retreat.

Two males will charge at each other wings held high above their back, often jumping at the other if the other doesn't run away, but even a male running away will hold its wings high above its back.

Which posture do your birds have during their battle?
 
They both stand High and charge and jump at each other.
Well i guess that solves it.... The cute little couple i got turned out to be not a couple at all
hmm.png
 
Last edited:

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