Odd guinea hen behavior

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Percheron chick

Percheron chick

Free Ranging
11 Years
Apr 12, 2013
5,471
5,649
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Hudson, Colorado
I have a flock of 9 guineas mixed with 15 hens. The guinea have always foraged together. This past week one guinea hen has started hanging back in the coop with my broody hen. She sits on top of the nesting boxes most of the day. She's only 6 months old but is she thinking about laying? Should I just go ahead and create a concealed spot on the ground for her to lay just in case?

On a side note, I think I have 4 hens and 5 roosters. If I have instead 5 hens, is she just odd girl out?
 
I would assume she is sick and check her out while she's on the perch at night. As far as I know, Guineas generally lay on the ground, not in elevated nest boxes, and a 6 month old should not be spending most of the day sitting. It's generally a guarantee that the bird is ill or hurt. Also, I don't think they're monogamous and even if they were, and she was left unpartnered, it would not compel her to sit on a nesting box all day. I really think you need to investigate closer. Best wishes.
 
I've thought something might be up but she eat, drinks and makes a racket like normal. Just doesn't hang with the other guineas. I can't identify her once the others come in for the night and they're fairly wild so I probably wouldn't get much more information from getting my hands on her.

What age do guineas normally start laying? It is cold here so if they are normally spring and summer layers she shouldn't be thinking about it yet. I'll just keep my eye on her.
 
My guineas started laying between 5 and 6 months. I think your guinea hen is fine. She's just hanging with another mama. Birds know what they're doing better than we can judge. Best just to enjoy watching and learning their behaviors. I always have one guinea hen that hangs back while the others explore.
 
I have 7 hens, one male, just over 5 months old. There is one particular blue colored hen that the male, and several other birds, repeatedly bully. It has progressed to the point that is i dont interfere, they wont let her in the coop at night. Once she gets in the coop, she sits in a corner. They wont let her off the perch, or near the food. She keeps trying.....sometimes she sneaks a bite in, or hides among them. I am concerned for her safety....and these birds are fairly wild also. She runs with the group but is always on the outskirts. Anyone have any suggestions on what is happening? This has been going on for weeks now, and it seems to be spreading within the flock. Thanks.
 
With chickens you catch the ring leader and put it in jail for a week or so and deflate it's status in the group. If you can identify the instigator and can catch him/her, I'd start there. Also have multiple feeders out or just scatter the feed on the ground.

She must be the looker in the group and everyone else is jealous!
 
Malinois.....the same thing goes on in my coop. There is a very distinct caste system within the group....and the higher ones constantly remind the lower ones where they stand in the flock. I wouldn't worry too much....as long as she's able to eat when the others aren't looking, and forage outside, she should be ok. I hate the bullying, but there really isn't anything I can do - they always seem to work it out amongst themselves. I do try to give the "outcasts" as many special treats as I can when they're not too close to the rest of the flock. Mine love thawed out frozen peas and corn, unsalted peanuts in the shell, and scratch mixed with white millet. Good luck.....hope things work out.
 
Numidas are social wild birds that like to spend their time foranging and exploring their world,their are very lovely looking birds,that look like a round break, with a very annoying calls, you said the other hen is being bulled by others, this also happen to most usually game/farmyard birds. every flock/group ranges in ages, in our guineas keets of the same age forange together,until their adult. like in chickens older hens tend to dominance the flock,even immaturew males, when a guineahen is bulled by a flock, it is that she never lay an egg, (have she?) and she's still immature or not ready to lay' so the male and other females may keep her off the flock until she pair-up and lay eggs.(this is what we use to have in our flock,and you must try to notic it) lol...Numida meleagris funny and silly birds........
 
Well.....the past few days the weather has been trribly nasty, so the guineas were kept locked in the coop. It does seem as if, for now, they have worked out some of their differences. Thsnks for the suggestions of the multiple feeders, and for the assurance that this is somewhat natural pecking order.
 
Percheron chick said:
I have a flock of 9 guineas mixed with 15 hens. The guinea have always foraged together. This past week one guinea hen has started hanging back in the coop with my broody hen. She sits on top of the nesting boxes most of the day. She's only 6 months old but is she thinking about laying? Should I just go ahead and create a concealed spot on the ground for her to lay just in case?

On a side note, I think I have 4 hens and 5 roosters. If I have instead 5 hens, is she just odd girl out?
Click to expand...
Shes probably on the low end of the pecking order.... Give her time. You should be able to tell which ones are hens by now.... the Cocks will be quieter...

Cocks for males and Hens for females.... Roosters are chickens...LOL

My Guinea hens just layed on the floor of the coop and played soccer with the eggs.... LOL.... I even Emailed Ralph Winter once (largest Guinea breeder in the US) and asked him if his breeders layed on the floor of the coop or used a nest..... He laughed.... and just said Floor. Sigh MY hopes were dashed.

The eggs are pretty tough so no worries.... the hard part is finding them in the litter after they have been kicked about and buried.

deb
 

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