I have (had?) 3 guineas: 1 male who arrived 2 seasons ago (surprise! so he was named "Papua") and stayed with the chickens ever since, and 2 females who were purchased and raised last year. Until last week, the 3 were pretty tight, always together--always within earshot, if not sight, of the chicken flock. Since late fall they have roosted with the chickens inside the coop, instead of the trees, like the male used to until last year. I noticed a couple weeks ago I didn't hear or see them off/on during day--unusual for them. Then a little over a week ago, one hen stayed out overnight, but was on the roof the next morn and remained (presumably) with the other two throughout the day. However, a day later & since she has disappeared.
I've looked around the property and not (yet) found a nest. (Property--open grass areas and brush/treed areas, is 10 acres; our residential area for about 1/2, and our construction company the remainder. Birds have always been close to the res area which includes coop & gardening). Since the 1 hen vanished, the remaining 2 guineas have their pattern of behavior and foraging--always within viz of res/coop site. I tried following; haven't seen missing hen or nest. Today I saw the male guarding where I believe the remaining hen went to lay in some trees.
Question: do you think Papua and his remaining hen chased off the vanished hen
--or is it more likely she is on a nest somewhere?
I'll add, one of our workers claims he saw a "turkey" running away from the construction office area-the other side of the property from normal range of the flock--in our 3 past years doing poultry, we've never seen any of the guineas or chickens in that direction. We also never have seen or heard turkey in this area, much less on our property. I'm wondering if this guy's "turkey" was my guinea hen and maybe the other 2 coupled up and ran her off. Or should I keep hoping the female will show up in another 3 or so weeks-potentially w/keets, or should I diligently search including near the construction shop. [sorry--I'm worried & really intense about caring for my animals.] Thanks for reading & providing feedback. I couldn't find this situation addressed anywhere.
I've looked around the property and not (yet) found a nest. (Property--open grass areas and brush/treed areas, is 10 acres; our residential area for about 1/2, and our construction company the remainder. Birds have always been close to the res area which includes coop & gardening). Since the 1 hen vanished, the remaining 2 guineas have their pattern of behavior and foraging--always within viz of res/coop site. I tried following; haven't seen missing hen or nest. Today I saw the male guarding where I believe the remaining hen went to lay in some trees.
Question: do you think Papua and his remaining hen chased off the vanished hen
I'll add, one of our workers claims he saw a "turkey" running away from the construction office area-the other side of the property from normal range of the flock--in our 3 past years doing poultry, we've never seen any of the guineas or chickens in that direction. We also never have seen or heard turkey in this area, much less on our property. I'm wondering if this guy's "turkey" was my guinea hen and maybe the other 2 coupled up and ran her off. Or should I keep hoping the female will show up in another 3 or so weeks-potentially w/keets, or should I diligently search including near the construction shop. [sorry--I'm worried & really intense about caring for my animals.] Thanks for reading & providing feedback. I couldn't find this situation addressed anywhere.