Dumb Question

[OneShotHunter]

I have a really dumb question. Do all guineas have that wierd horn-thing on the backs of thier heads? Or is that jus males, or certain breeds?

 

[PeepsCA]

All colors/varieties of Helmeted Guinea Fowl have the casque on their heads, both sexes. Males can have slightly larger casques than the females, but not always.

The Vulturine and Crested varieties do not have casques.

 

[texasrandi]

Did the question come up because you are trying to sex them? I have noticed that my hens, when laying, lose a lot of color from their casques, becoming almost red-orange....kind of like my chicken hens lose color from their combs and skin.

 

[perchie.girl]

I have a really dumb question. Do all guineas have that wierd horn-thing on the backs of thier heads? Or is that jus males, or certain breeds?

Yep like Peeps said.... its a Helmeted guinea fowl trait. Cant sex them that way. The only way you can is by vocalization. The only breed of Guinea fowl common to us is the Helmeted Guinea fowl. The others are "affordable" but not usually assessable. Other forms of guineas are Vulturine, Crested, and even Richenower (which is a Helmeted Guinea). Most are over 800 dollars a pair and have special needs in housing. With the exception of the Richenower (sp?) Which is a Helmeted Guinea but is not from Namibia. They will run about 5 or 6 hundred dollars a pair with no special needs.... But most of us regular people just have helmeted Guineas. LOL.

 

[OneShotHunter]

No, we weren't trying to sex them that way. I was just curious because I have seen pictures and illistrations of them with and without casqes. Thanks everyone!