Guinea Antics!

[bradselig]

So I have just started to allow the guineas out of their "cage" in the coop to hang out with the chickens and ducks (guineas are not allowed to free range, they stay in the coop and fenced in outdoor pen). Of course the chickens have to establish their pecking order with the guineas (although they have been pretty gentle in doing so). However, the behavior these guineas display crack me up! It seems that they LOVE to tease the chickens. They will fly off the ground and kinda dive bomb near the chickens and once land, take off running away!

I have also noticed that when a cockeral or pullet do stand over them to peck them, the guineas quickly get low to the ground and get as close to the chicken as possible. This includes crawling under the chicken between their legs! The chickens just get very confused and walk away.

I almost didnt get guineas this year, but very glad I did! I cant wait to watch them free ranging!

 

[daylily]

The behavior you are describing of the guineas getting very low and crawling between their legs is them looking for their favor! Hahahaha! That the chickens just walk a way, is too funny. Yup the pecking order is a ritual into itself. I watched it often as one would try to take over the lead and then wander off and leave the flock of better pastures. Or breed with another male! Hens and males will do this and the guineas are not so nice to themselves when they do this to one another!