Fighting guineas

[ozark hen]

Today, for the second time, I heard what sounded like a chick being hurt outside so I ran out to find two guineas...a couple months old now...with their necks entwined and pinching the others waddles! They were yelping from the pinch from those sharp little beaks while they had their necks wrapped around each other. Never seen this before. I broke it up and they made one more attempt to attack each other but I broke it up again. I take it this is normal fussing between guineas? I have seven and they move as one unit across the yard and they were all huddled together when this was happening.

 

[robin416]

Completely normal, they're establishing who will be top bird.

 

[ozark hen]

thank you very much

 

[okiechick57]

Well Ozark, hope they work it out...mine are not pickin on eachother at all.........just turned into attack Guineas yesterday........I can not allow this,they will kill my hens I am afraid........

 

[ozark hen]

wow, you have got to be kidding, I just read a thread where some guineas were attacking hens! How old are your guineas? I hope mine don't do that. Do your guineas roost with your hens? Do they all free range?? Never mind I found that link of yours. wow! yours are older than mine but it could still happen here!!

 

[nccountrygirl]

ozark hen, go back to that post and watch the video of it, scary

 

[ozark hen]

the video won't work but her words sure do. That is totally amazing. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else??? Well, I am sure it has but what is the cause...the solution should be easy....

 

[okiechick57]

I sure hope the cure is at hand soon....otherwise they will die by 22 or rehomed to guinea only place ! I hate this. I loved my guineas

they pretty much leave them alone once they all are roosting in the coop....on branches not inside...but once out.mean mean mean.they freerange all day...attack all day UGH

 

[Keisha]

Today, for the second time, I heard what sounded like a chick being hurt outside so I ran out to find two guineas...a couple months old now...with their necks entwined and pinching the others waddles! They were yelping from the pinch from those sharp little beaks while they had their necks wrapped around each other. Never seen this before. I broke it up and they made one more attempt to attack each other but I broke it up again. I take it this is normal fussing between guineas? I have seven and they move as one unit across the yard and they were all huddled together when this was happening.

Mine have never done that, but when we got our second set of guineas, the two groups fought, which i assume was them establishing the "peck order".. the one would grab the other one by the butt, run around in a circle swinging him around then let go and the other one would go flying. It was pretty interesting. I never broke it up though. Figured that they needed to work it out, and me interfering wouldnt help.​

 

[ozark hen]

Okie, I think that is just so bazaar! Mine will meet their maker if they do that to me. un Right now they just follow me around the yard. Every time I go out to make a cell phone call...better reception outside...they gather under the table I sit at and make a racket that I can't hear. I cannot touch them, which is ok by me but they are still half way friendly.
Keisha, you are right, now that I know it is the pecking order thing going on I will leave them be. That was a funny picture in my head of your guineas slinging each other around.