2 Male Guineas Fighting Problem PLEASE HELP!

[Tootsie]

I only have 2 guineas both males that came together about 3 years ago. They run with the chickens. Last summer they would start fighting for weeks and retire to separate coops and after a few months all was fine and they were buddies again like 2 peas in a pod.

This summer however they are fighting so bad that after a few minutes one or both are limping so I have been taking turns putting one in a large dog crate for a week while the other one is free and then switching. Every time I try putting them together the same thing happens.

I am looking for suggestions to remedy this situation. I was thinking of putting one down in my barn group but if they want to get back together they will just fly over the fence. I figured one of you guinea people would have a solution for me. I don't want them to seriously hurt each other. Thanks.

 

[robin416]

The simple fix is more Guineas. This is why most of us that have raised these guys for a while say get a flock, not one or two or trouble is on the horizon.

If you separate the two males chances are they will start in on the chickens. The battles that I see every day amongst the males in my flock are a normal, genetic driven routine. Sure one will end up limping or feathers missing but that is Guinea behavior and we will drive ourselves nuts trying to change it. So the best answer is more Guineas.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Yes, the only way to fix it is to get more guineas. Males fight, it's normal. They seem to make a game of it. A few females wouldn't hurt your situation any.

 

[Tootsie]

It was getting to the point where one could hardly walk so that is why I separated them. The reason I only have 2 is someone rescued them and the others had been killed by a predator. Now if I get some females how long do I have to lock them up so they know where they belong and don't take off? Also how many do you suggest I add?

Thanks

 

[leonphelps]

I was told minimum size of the guinea flock should be 12. Not sure what you have now.

 

[Tootsie]

As I said I only have the 2 male guineas. Thanks

 

[PeepsCA]

Sounds like breeding season aggressions to me... you'll either need to keep penning one up at a time and alternate like you have been, or add more birds to your flock... which can be time consuming and not always turn out as a positive change to an already tense/aggressive situation.

If it were me I'd at least get them a Hen each, but if you have the room and the tolerance for more Guineas, a couple Hens each would be a wiser choice, that way one male won't claim both Hens. Some say the male to Hen ratio needs to be in favor of the males, but I don't tend to agree with that, based on my experiences with my flocks.

I do agree with leon, flocks of 12 Guineas do much better... but since you already have other poultry, how many additional Guineas you get all depends on how much room you have. Guineas need plenty of room and roosting space in the coop, and lots of free range time to burn off the extra energy and anxieties these whacko birds build up on a daily basis.

The new Hens will need to be penned for 4-6 weeks so they learn where home is and they don't just take off and try to find their old home when they are let loose. It is possible you might get away with letting them out earlier since it is breeding season and you already have the 2 male Guineas that already stick around, but sometimes 6 weeks isn't even long enough. The aggression between your 2 males may get worse if you have Hens penned that they can't get to, but on the other hand it may take their focus off each other and act as a distraction. All you can do is try it and see... but have a backup plan in case the aggression gets worse.

Good luck!

 

[Rosecomb-Ryan]

We had 14 Guineas and I bought 9 more and let them out the same day (stupid) But every single one stayed! They were all adults! But yea you should buy some females. My Guineas chase eachother constantly but never get bloody.

 

[birdboy508]

just make another pen.