Guinea bullying smallest hen! Please help

[DoeAndGander]

My keets are 8 weeks old. Total of 9 - 5 pearl, 2 lavender and 2 white. As far as I can tell I have at least three hens. Still trying to figure them out. For some reason majority of them have been bullying my smallest Lavender hen. In searching I see this is a common problem for smaller lavenders. Most of the day she’s been hiding behind the water dish. If she comes out from behind, shes running and most take a swing at her as she runs by. I noticed it happening a couple days ago. Her face is getting pretty neat up And I’m sure it won’t be long before her feathers are missing. I read one solution would be to cull the main bully. If it comes to that, how do I figure it out if it’s a group? Any other recommendations for the little one?

 

[DoeAndGander]

They will be getting a big coop soon. I hope this solves the issue

 

[R2elk]

My keets are 8 weeks old. Total of 9 - 5 pearl, 2 lavender and 2 white. As far as I can tell I have at least three hens. Still trying to figure them out. For some reason majority of them have been bullying my smallest Lavender hen. In searching I see this is a common problem for smaller lavenders. Most of the day she’s been hiding behind the water dish. If she comes out from behind, shes running and most take a swing at her as she runs by. I noticed it happening a couple days ago. Her face is getting pretty neat up And I’m sure it won’t be long before her feathers are missing. I read one solution would be to cull the main bully. If it comes to that, how do I figure it out if it’s a group? Any other recommendations for the little one?

Make more and better hiding places for her. The hiding places have to have an entrance and an exit so they cannot trap her in the hiding place. If possible increase the number of feeders and waterers and put them as far apart as possible.

 

[DoeAndGander]

Make more and better hiding places for her. The hiding places have to have an entrance and an exit so they cannot trap her in the hiding place. If possible increase the number of feeders and waterers and put them as far apart as possible.

I have all on my list! Besides bails, would you suggest using anything else for hiding spots?

 

[R2elk]

I have all on my list! Besides bails, would you suggest using anything else for hiding spots?

One of the things I do is to lean boards against the wall in different places or lean things in a corner so that they get go in one side and out the other.

 

[DoeAndGander]

One of the things I do is to lean boards against the wall in different places or lean things in a corner so that they get go in one side and out the other.

I vaguely remember reading it is better to have an even number of guineas. I have nine. perhaps this encourages the bullying as well? Or doesn’t it work that way?

 

[sourland]

Guinea fowl are interesting birds. They can get along fine for a year, and then one day decide to pick a target and torment it sometimes to death. I have seen them do this to other fowl , but sometimes it is a flock mate that they pick.

 

[R2elk]

I vaguely remember reading it is better to have an even number of guineas. I have nine. perhaps this encourages the bullying as well? Or doesn’t it work that way?

Most prefer to be in pairs but sometimes a dominant cock will take more than one hen for mates. I usually try to keep an extra hen or two. It seems to work better than having an extra male or two.