Flock Behavior

[carey332]

HI - I'm relatively new to guineas, and I had a question about my flock. I have 5 guineas - 4 males and 1 female. A neighbor also has a nice sized guinea flock - 6 - and I think they are mostly male. This morning the neighbor's flock was out in our front field bantering with my flock. When I counted out my guineas, I noticed one was missing - the female. She was hanging out with the other flock. I don't know if they were mating, but it seemed as though the neighbor's flock was trying to steal my female! She was with two other guineas and the others were chasing my males. Should I be worried about my female leaving the flock???

 

[Percheron chick]

Yes. I would expect both flocks to merge into one.

 

[carey332]

Both flocks have come together and "hung out" many times before now. At night, they always return to their coop down the road, and my guineas stay in their own coop. They live about a 1/2 mile down the road. Do you still think they will try to combine flocks???

 

[Percheron chick]

You are getting into breeding season. If nothing else you will probably lose the hen. 1/2 a mile should be enough but if they meet in the middle that's only 1/4 and I know mine regularly range that far.