- May 7, 2012
- 11
- 0
- 24
I am currently raising my first flock of three chickens and a guinea hen. Before I got them, I did my research. I wanted to be prepared for when I brought my chickies home. A feed store, about 30 minutes away from me, has an amazing selection of baby chicks in the spring. When I went to go pick them out, my mother suggested that I get a guinea hen. She has fond memories of her uncle's guineas. To make her happy (and because the guinea chicks were so dang cute!), I took one home. After I got home, I read about how chickens and guineas do not always mesh well. Of course, I got scared. However, there were enough people on BYC that had success with raising them together. Since they were all still babies (days old), I thought it would be fine.
In the past week, my now 9 week old guinea has gotten aggressive. She has been plucking out the feathers of all three of my chickens, even Penny who is at the top of the pecking order and the largest bird I have. I can tell that my chickens are scared of her. One of my chickens even hides under the legs of another.
I know that I will have to find a new home for my guinea, Molly. It is KILLING ME. I have been crying for the past three days. I have put in a few ads in different websites to find her a new home.
I have a few questions:
I do not want her to be killed and eaten/sold. Are there many farms that raise guineas strictly for eggs and breeding? Also, how will the guinea adapt? I feel so horrible for separating her from her "family." She is currently separated from the flock and has not stopped making almost duck-like noises. She sounds so sad. Once she gets around other animals, once I find a farm to take her, will she be okay?
I am worried sick and any advice would be helpful.
Also, if you live in New Mexico and would like a guinea hen, she is very sweet. She would probably do well with older chickens. I hold her all the time and she does not peck. If you are in NM and are interested in my 9-week-old guinea, Molly, please let me know.
Thank you.
Courtney
In the past week, my now 9 week old guinea has gotten aggressive. She has been plucking out the feathers of all three of my chickens, even Penny who is at the top of the pecking order and the largest bird I have. I can tell that my chickens are scared of her. One of my chickens even hides under the legs of another.
I know that I will have to find a new home for my guinea, Molly. It is KILLING ME. I have been crying for the past three days. I have put in a few ads in different websites to find her a new home.
I have a few questions:
I do not want her to be killed and eaten/sold. Are there many farms that raise guineas strictly for eggs and breeding? Also, how will the guinea adapt? I feel so horrible for separating her from her "family." She is currently separated from the flock and has not stopped making almost duck-like noises. She sounds so sad. Once she gets around other animals, once I find a farm to take her, will she be okay?
I am worried sick and any advice would be helpful.
Also, if you live in New Mexico and would like a guinea hen, she is very sweet. She would probably do well with older chickens. I hold her all the time and she does not peck. If you are in NM and are interested in my 9-week-old guinea, Molly, please let me know.
Thank you.
Courtney
