A Mystery in the Coop: Injured Female Guinea

[Rocknroll8138]

We have a pair of guineas—a male and a female—who have always seemed to get along well. But tonight, something terrible happened. Our female guinea was found seriously injured in the coop. She has a back injury and is bleeding around her neck.

What’s strange is that we have snow on the ground, and there are no tracks around the coop except for the guineas’. I’ve reviewed our video footage, and all I can see is the two of them together. Unfortunately, the camera doesn’t capture what goes on inside the coop, so I can’t see exactly how the injury happened.

This has left me wondering: has anyone ever experienced a male guinea injuring a female this badly? Could it be aggression or rough mating? Or could something else entirely have caused her injuries?

I’ve already checked the coop for predators, but there’s no sign of any other animal. Still, this injury seems so severe that it’s hard to believe it could just be an accident.

If anyone has insight or advice, I’d be grateful to hear it. In the meantime, we’re treating her injuries and keeping a close eye on the male. It’s heartbreaking to see her hurt like this, and I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again

 

[alinas2010]

We have a pair of guineas—a male and a female—who have always seemed to get along well. But tonight, something terrible happened. Our female guinea was found seriously injured in the coop. She has a back injury and is bleeding around her neck.

What’s strange is that we have snow on the ground, and there are no tracks around the coop except for the guineas’. I’ve reviewed our video footage, and all I can see is the two of them together. Unfortunately, the camera doesn’t capture what goes on inside the coop, so I can’t see exactly how the injury happened.

This has left me wondering: has anyone ever experienced a male guinea injuring a female this badly? Could it be aggression or rough mating? Or could something else entirely have caused her injuries?

I’ve already checked the coop for predators, but there’s no sign of any other animal. Still, this injury seems so severe that it’s hard to believe it could just be an accident.

If anyone has insight or advice, I’d be grateful to hear it. In the meantime, we’re treating her injuries and keeping a close eye on the male. It’s heartbreaking to see her hurt like this, and I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again

I’m sorry to hear that this happened. Were these two the only guineas kept together? I don’t know much about guineas or guinea behavior, I’m going to tag an educator with guineas. If you need help treating them, be sure to get some pics of the wounds for us.

@R2elk can you help and share about guinea behavior?

 

[Rocknroll8138]

Thank you so much... they were the only two guineas together. She passed away after this incident. Not sure if I sure get more guineas if he super aggressive? @R2elk

 

[R2elk]

Thank you so much... they were the only two guineas together. She passed away after this incident. Not sure if I sure get more guineas if he super aggressive? @R2elk

It's really unlikely that the male attacked the hen. It is possible for males to attack each other viciously but one male with one hen is not normal for the male to attack the hen.

Without knowing what your coop looks like, I don't know if it is possible to have been an injury caused by her flying into a wall or other object from being startled. It wouldn't be the first guinea that was killed in such a fashion.

Guineas are flock birds and do best in large groups. If he is your only one left, I would recommend rehoming him to someone who has more guineas.

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you so much... they were the only two guineas together. She passed away after this incident. Not sure if I sure get more guineas if he super aggressive? @R2elk

So sorry you lost her.