Guinea Challenges

[Pounddogsrock]

I don't know what took me so long to get back on BackYard Chickens! I'm going on year 4 with my Guineas. They certainly are trickier to raise than chickens! I've learned a lot since my first post in 2018 regarding "how to mix two separate flocks". I continue to learn from the Guineas' behaviors, and realize that figuring them out is most of the fun. I've run into issues, especially now, and am focusing on making adjustments to better suit their their needs as my flock grows. I'm speaking more of controlling "ratio" of male/female, who free roams, and who stays cooped, etc. I'm tossing this post out in hopes to have some BackYard Chickens people possibly relate to issues that are making my Guineas more uncontrollable than normal. I am blaming "spring" on the behaviors. They easily went in the coops each night. I felt like I was a professional trainer, ha ha. Not now! They want to b-line all the way off my property, and cross the road. I've had one group for three years, that are now wandering to places that they never did. They've gone over the neighbor's fence and he has dogs that will kill them. For now, keeping some cooped, keeps the others from venturing away during the day. Also, I had a male, kill another male right before my eyes. It's things like this, that make me know that my ratio is off. I only have 5 females. I have 11 males. Not good, I know. Now, I'm observing for "pairs", and going to band each pair a different color, and keep my breeding pairs cooped. I am blessed with an enormous coop. My concern then, is plenty of good nutrition. When cooped, they always get greens and mash. They don't seem to like dried meal worms, so I also buy the high protein meal because I worry about their lack of insects (winter and when cooped) My plan is to let the males free range, sell here and there, etc. Basically, I'm thinking that I didn't thin my flock properly. If anyone is reading this and thinks I'm doing something wrongly, please feel free to give me some guidance. It would be much appreciated. I don't know anyone knowledgeable about Guineas, which is why I'm so thankful for you guys! I also hope that I can help some folks along the way, too. I love my Guineas. I loved when I raised chickens too, but Guineas fair far better out here where I live. They've called me out twice, for coyotes. They've called me for "neighborhood dogs" (no leash law). Chickens free ranging where I live, doesn't work well. The Guineas are just wild enough to be better survivors, in my opinion. I love so much about them, except for the off balance ratio that I let happen. Is anyone else having a problem with an off balance ratio of males to females? I'm rambling now, but if I had the exact 1:1 ratio, and a male died, I'd need to have the back up male, right? So, I'm thinking that I can let extra males be my "yard Guineas". I read they pair for life. I read that if there's 2 males and 1 female, that one of the males will still feel "lonely". I don't know how true all of this is. For the past eight months, they all seemed to be getting along just fine, and staying on the property, up until recently. Looking forward to hearing from other Guinea fans.

 

[R2elk]

I don't know what took me so long to get back on BackYard Chickens! I'm going on year 4 with my Guineas. They certainly are trickier to raise than chickens! I've learned a lot since my first post in 2018 regarding "how to mix two separate flocks". I continue to learn from the Guineas' behaviors, and realize that figuring them out is most of the fun. I've run into issues, especially now, and am focusing on making adjustments to better suit their their needs as my flock grows. I'm speaking more of controlling "ratio" of male/female, who free roams, and who stays cooped, etc. I'm tossing this post out in hopes to have some BackYard Chickens people possibly relate to issues that are making my Guineas more uncontrollable than normal. I am blaming "spring" on the behaviors. They easily went in the coops each night. I felt like I was a professional trainer, ha ha. Not now! They want to b-line all the way off my property, and cross the road. I've had one group for three years, that are now wandering to places that they never did. They've gone over the neighbor's fence and he has dogs that will kill them. For now, keeping some cooped, keeps the others from venturing away during the day. Also, I had a male, kill another male right before my eyes. It's things like this, that make me know that my ratio is off. I only have 5 females. I have 11 males. Not good, I know. Now, I'm observing for "pairs", and going to band each pair a different color, and keep my breeding pairs cooped. I am blessed with an enormous coop. My concern then, is plenty of good nutrition. When cooped, they always get greens and mash. They don't seem to like dried meal worms, so I also buy the high protein meal because I worry about their lack of insects (winter and when cooped) My plan is to let the males free range, sell here and there, etc. Basically, I'm thinking that I didn't thin my flock properly. If anyone is reading this and thinks I'm doing something wrongly, please feel free to give me some guidance. It would be much appreciated. I don't know anyone knowledgeable about Guineas, which is why I'm so thankful for you guys! I also hope that I can help some folks along the way, too. I love my Guineas. I loved when I raised chickens too, but Guineas fair far better out here where I live. They've called me out twice, for coyotes. They've called me for "neighborhood dogs" (no leash law). Chickens free ranging where I live, doesn't work well. The Guineas are just wild enough to be better survivors, in my opinion. I love so much about them, except for the off balance ratio that I let happen. Is anyone else having a problem with an off balance ratio of males to females? I'm rambling now, but if I had the exact 1:1 ratio, and a male died, I'd need to have the back up male, right? So, I'm thinking that I can let extra males be my "yard Guineas". I read they pair for life. I read that if there's 2 males and 1 female, that one of the males will still feel "lonely". I don't know how true all of this is. For the past eight months, they all seemed to be getting along just fine, and staying on the property, up until recently. Looking forward to hearing from other Guinea fans.

For my flock it is helpful to have an extra hen or two. While most male guineas are satisfied with one mate there is always the oddball that thinks he should have more than one mate.

As far as your belief that there is no leash law, check your county ordinances. At least where I live, every county in the state has its own leash law. There are always a few exceptions but there is nowhere in this state that it is legal to let your dogs run loose all the time unless they are being contained on your own property.

 

[Pounddogsrock]

For my flock it is helpful to have an extra hen or two. While most male guineas are satisfied with one mate there is always the oddball that thinks he should have more than one mate.

As far as your belief that there is no leash law, check your county ordinances. At least where I live, every county in the state has its own leash law. There are always a few exceptions but there is nowhere in this state that it is legal to let your dogs run loose all the time unless they are being contained on your own property.

Hey, thanks for the quick response. The leash law thing- Unfortunately, I've had to deal with animal control and was informed by them, "no". We're outside of town limits. The only time dogs can't roam is in late spring. My neighbor told me to put buckshot in her dog the next time he came up and went after my chickens. That's when I decided to just keep my birds up. Do you have your Guineas cooped up, free ranging, or a mix? Have you ever had one of your males kill another?

 

[MurrayAP]

My neighbor told me to put buckshot in her dog the next time he came up and went after my chickens.

 

[R2elk]

Hey, thanks for the quick response. The leash law thing- Unfortunately, I've had to deal with animal control and was informed by them, "no". We're outside of town limits. The only time dogs can't roam is in late spring. My neighbor told me to put buckshot in her dog the next time he came up and went after my chickens. That's when I decided to just keep my birds up. Do you have your Guineas cooped up, free ranging, or a mix? Have you ever had one of your males kill another?

Our leash laws are county wide. The city has their own leash laws. Make sure that you check the laws yourself. Animal Control employees have been proven to be wrong too often about what they think the laws are.

My guineas are cooped at night. During the day they have an extremely large fenced "run" to roam. At this time of year the breeding squabbles cause temporary escape flights that land the escapees outside of their "run". Usually I just have to open the door and they will go back in.

I have not had any of my male guineas kill another, yet. It was really close this year when 6 were attacking an ex leader. He has since learned to stay out of tight spots.

@duluthralphie has had his guineas kill deposed flock leaders.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Hi Pounddogsrock, I just read your other thread too. When we hatched 15 guineas two years ago, I made the mistake of brooding them with chicks and ducklings, whom they started attacking at 3 months old. I rehomed the most aggressive guineas, and was left with 1 make and 8 females. The cock, Ghost, had four girls who made up the main flock, and four “fringe “ girls. Fertility was surprisingly good, about 2/3 of eggs. I did see Ghost mate both main and fringe hens.

I wanted a more balanced flock, so hatched eggs and introduced 12 juveniles. I’ve had some losses and now have three “new” 1 year old males and Ghost, the 2 year old male. Altogether, there are 12 females and 4 males. Ghost kept his harem, another male has a harem, and the other two have one female each. In spring, they started crossing the road and I lost several to cars, so I locked them all in the coop and run for six weeks. I was really afraid they would kill each other, but they all survived, with Ghost still being the head male. I’ve only recently been letting them out in the afternoons, for the past few weeks, and scaring them off if they go to the road.

Two days after I started letting them out, Ghost must have lost a big fight, because now the other guys pick on him. Thank God they didn’t really scrap hard when they were locked up; I’m astounded at their outdoor battles and I don’t understand them. I don’t think that Ghost gets it either, having been a lone male for most of his life. There is one guy, Bruiser, whom I haven’t seen have a big chase battle. The other guys have the weirdest battles: one male will chase another, and it will go on for what feels like a long time, maybe 10 minutes. During the chase, they run everywhere full speed, and they run a long long way, fly on the coop, continue chasing, etc. The chaser goes for the tail feathers of the runner; Ghost is missing some back feathers now. Sometimes they switch who chases. These guys run so hard that they are worn out and panting afterwards; I’m afraid they’ll have a heart attack!

What’s weird to me is that I don’t understand what they are working out: they already have mates, and they seem to have a pecking order. There are still several unpaired hens. I don’t really understand guinea male behavior! I had been thinking about adding a few more juvenile guys in the fall due to the unmatched girls, but now I’m wondering if more males is a bad idea...

 

[Pounddogsrock]

Hi Pounddogsrock, I just read your other thread too. When we hatched 15 guineas two years ago, I made the mistake of brooding them with chicks and ducklings, whom they started attacking at 3 months old. I rehomed the most aggressive guineas, and was left with 1 make and 8 females. The cock, Ghost, had four girls who made up the main flock, and four “fringe “ girls. Fertility was surprisingly good, about 2/3 of eggs. I did see Ghost mate both main and fringe hens.

I wanted a more balanced flock, so hatched eggs and introduced 12 juveniles. I’ve had some losses and now have three “new” 1 year old males and Ghost, the 2 year old male. Altogether, there are 12 females and 4 males. Ghost kept his harem, another male has a harem, and the other two have one female each. In spring, they started crossing the road and I lost several to cars, so I locked them all in the coop and run for six weeks. I was really afraid they would kill each other, but they all survived, with Ghost still being the head male. I’ve only recently been letting them out in the afternoons, for the past few weeks, and scaring them off if they go to the road.

Two days after I started letting them out, Ghost must have lost a big fight, because now the other guys pick on him. Thank God they didn’t really scrap hard when they were locked up; I’m astounded at their outdoor battles and I don’t understand them. I don’t think that Ghost gets it either, having been a lone male for most of his life. There is one guy, Bruiser, whom I haven’t seen have a big chase battle. The other guys have the weirdest battles: one male will chase another, and it will go on for what feels like a long time, maybe 10 minutes. During the chase, they run everywhere full speed, and they run a long long way, fly on the coop, continue chasing, etc. The chaser goes for the tail feathers of the runner; Ghost is missing some back feathers now. Sometimes they switch who chases. These guys run so hard that they are worn out and panting afterwards; I’m afraid they’ll have a heart attack!

What’s weird to me is that I don’t understand what they are working out: they already have mates, and they seem to have a pecking order. There are still several unpaired hens. I don’t really understand guinea male behavior! I had been thinking about adding a few more juvenile guys in the fall due to the unmatched girls, but now I’m wondering if more males is a bad idea...

You just simply make me smile. I totally get about them having a heart attack thing. Just watching them zoom all around makes me short of breath. It's like a multi-road runner cartoon. Whew! No, I wouldn't get extra males. A very knowledgeable guy, Elk 3 (I think), said that he likes to keep extra hens because sometimes the males aren't happy with just one. Right now, my males are outnumbering my females by too much. I think you're in great shape having more females. Super luck with all!

 

[Mom 2em All]

HEY! Pour all your knowledge in to my brain.
When I was a teenager, the neighbors had guineas. I only remember that they told on me whenever I tried to sneak in late. Alarm birds. And they ate ticks and snakes.
Fast forward to me now. I hatched out three guineas with my chicks. One was splay legged and didnt make it. One was killed a couple months ago during a terrible dog attack that took out 17 of my chickens.
That left me with one lone guinea and four chickens. I have since acquired 30 babies which are mainly cockerels because I have the worst luck ever. Well, all my babies are in my coop because they outnumber the two banties and two standard hens and I said so. The babies are ten weeks old and have been in the coop for probably four weeks, and out of their enclosure inside the coop for three. Well, everyone hates them. The banties and the two hens. Its ridiculous they all chase them. None of that worries me, except the guinea who thinks she is a chicken. She roosts with them and she grazes with them. Them being the grown chickens.
Well,the guinea went broody two weeks ago on the laying nest the one my chickens use. I havent been able to gather eggs or take away her eggs because, well, she will kill me.
So today, I bought four keets. And the plan was to slip them under her tonight. With all her eggs. But when I got home with the keets- the guinea was off her nest, out of the coop, out of the pen. PERFECT! I went in there to take all the eggs away except four. While I was gathering she came flying in like a king cobra and beat the heck out of me- feet, beak, wings, fifteen heads...lol.. it was bad. At that same moment the baby keets popped out of the box and ran around the coop looking much like mice and I had to catch them while getting beat up before the chickens ate them. Long story short- the guinea is sitting on three infertile eggs like a cobra, and the keets are are in a brooder with a heat lamp.

 

[R2elk]

HEY! Pour all your knowledge in to my brain.
When I was a teenager, the neighbors had guineas. I only remember that they told on me whenever I tried to sneak in late. Alarm birds. And they ate ticks and snakes.
Fast forward to me now. I hatched out three guineas with my chicks. One was splay legged and didnt make it. One was killed a couple months ago during a terrible dog attack that took out 17 of my chickens.
That left me with one lone guinea and four chickens. I have since acquired 30 babies which are mainly cockerels because I have the worst luck ever. Well, all my babies are in my coop because they outnumber the two banties and two standard hens and I said so. The babies are ten weeks old and have been in the coop for probably four weeks, and out of their enclosure inside the coop for three. Well, everyone hates them. The banties and the two hens. Its ridiculous they all chase them. None of that worries me, except the guinea who thinks she is a chicken. She roosts with them and she grazes with them. Them being the grown chickens.
Well,the guinea went broody two weeks ago on the laying nest the one my chickens use. I havent been able to gather eggs or take away her eggs because, well, she will kill me.
So today, I bought four keets. And the plan was to slip them under her tonight. With all her eggs. But when I got home with the keets- the guinea was off her nest, out of the coop, out of the pen. PERFECT! I went in there to take all the eggs away except four. While I was gathering she came flying in like a king cobra and beat the heck out of me- feet, beak, wings, fifteen heads...lol.. it was bad. At that same moment the baby keets popped out of the box and ran around the coop looking much like mice and I had to catch them while getting beat up before the chickens ate them. Long story short- the guinea is sitting on three infertile eggs like a cobra, and the keets are are in a brooder with a heat lamp.

I would never try to give a guinea hen live keets.

 

[Mom 2em All]

I would never try to give a guinea hen live keets.

Yep.. er, nope. We didn’t make it that far. I took a whuppin’ just trying to get eggs out of the nest box. And lived to tell about it haha.
lesson learned. But, the eggs under her are still infertile.