Breeding Guineas

[Suldevan19]

I am confused...I am looking at breeding some of my guineas in an enclosure..i keep reading that 1 male can handle 4 or 5 hens...I thought guineas were monogamous

 

[R2elk]

I am confused...I am looking at breeding some of my guineas in an enclosure..i keep reading that 1 male can handle 4 or 5 hens...I thought guineas were monogamous

Some people have gotten away with multiple hens for one cock. Depending on the guinea male, he may or may not prefer more than one hen and will definitely show preference for one or two of the multiple hens. Guinea hens can give the appearance of being monogamous but guinea males are definitely not monogamous especially when the mate is broody on a nest.

If you try to keep guineas in too small an enclosure, you may end up without any fertile eggs.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I am confused...I am looking at breeding some of my guineas in an enclosure..i keep reading that 1 male can handle 4 or 5 hens...I thought guineas were monogamous

We have 16 guineas, with 12 hens and 4 cocks. Two cocks only want to be with one hen, though one of those hens is broody and the guy has now been spending some time with a different hen while she’s gone... So that leave 10 hens for the two remaining cock. One has four gals that are his favorite, and 2 more that follow them around; I’ve observed mating with those fringe two, but he chases them off also. He had seven hens last year and fertility was about 2/3 of the eggs. The other cock has four hens. So, I guess some guinea cocks are willing to form a harem and some aren’t.

 

[Suldevan19]

Ok thanks