Guinea Fowl Pulling Chickens Feathers Out

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Thank you! It’s mostly the one female who instigates! (2 females and 1 male currently). The chicks are 4 females and I have 3 older hens who just avoid all of them. Maybe we need more Guinea? Guinea math

Guinea math is my thing!!! I used to want 20 birds. Saw how much better they got along and set my sights on 30 birds. Somehow, I now have 43…

 

[Sydney65]

Yep, rule #131 I learned when joining here was don't house guineas and chickens together, bc guineas and chickens do not play the same games. So you end up with bald, neurotic or dead chickens -and/or raising guinhens that are sterile and don't live very long. Separate their housing, I am told, and the guinea will cont to "protect" your flock but ignore them when free ranging.
Note - it was rule #131for me bc I don't have chickens, and had sooo much to learn about the baby raptors I do have!

 

[Jasfarm]

Yep, rule #131 I learned when joining here was don't house guineas and chickens together, bc guineas and chickens do not play the same games. So you end up with bald, neurotic or dead chickens -and/or raising guinhens that are sterile and don't live very long. Separate their housing, I am told, and the guinea will cont to "protect" your flock but ignore them when free ranging.
Note - it was rule #131for me bc I don't have chickens, and had sooo much to learn about the baby raptors I do have!

Ah! It’s so hard. I always saw that they could be raised together. And they really get along for the most part. I guess I didn’t know they would be so mean, to each other too!). We also thought we had a slim shot of them sticking around - now they won’t leave

 

[R2elk]

The Internet is full of bad information about guineas. Some people can get away with housing them together because their coop is a big barn where they can segregate from each other.

Some get away with it because they turn the guineas loose and replace them each year.

 

[Jasfarm]

The Internet is full of bad information about guineas. Some people can get away with housing them together because their coop is a big barn where they can segregate from each other.

Some get away with it because they turn the guineas loose and replace them each year.

Yay! I was hoping I would hear a reply from you! I was just reading some of your other posts in guineas. We have a flock of 7 hens. 3 guineas (1 male). After reading your responses, I’m thinking we do not have the right set up for them. Coop is 5x6 and run is 8x16, but they free range. The littles (4 lavender orps and the 3 guineas) sleep in the run. They won’t go into the coop with the 3 big girls. I’m hoping we can make the chicks go inside and maybe that helps.

I’m happy to add more but husband is NOT and would rather rehome them and get more chicks but I love them! They are so silly.

 

[Sydney65]

Yay! I was hoping I would hear a reply from you! I was just reading some of your other posts in guineas. We have a flock of 7 hens. 3 guineas (1 male). After reading your responses, I’m thinking we do not have the right set up for them. Coop is 5x6 and run is 8x16, but they free range. The littles (4 lavender orps and the 3 guineas) sleep in the run. They won’t go into the coop with the 3 big girls. I’m hoping we can make the chicks go inside and maybe that helps.

I’m happy to add more but husband is NOT and would rather rehome them and get more chicks but I love them! They are so silly.

Yeah, mine was like that at first (and they were his idea.) Then he built them a coop anyone down on their luck would happily sleep in, lived with one inside through the winter who became THE Princess, built a fort for their run, and now is threatening the keenage boys for bullying THE Princess. Ahem..they grow on ppl.

 

[Jasfarm]

Yeah, mine was like that at first (and they were his idea.) Then he built them a coop anyone down on their luck would happily sleep in, lived with one inside through the winter who became THE Princess, built a fort for their run, and now is threatening the keenage boys for bullying THE Princess. Ahem..they grow in ppl.

This makes me so happy! I wish he would love them! They all have names and the only reason he knows them is because they are all different colors

 

[Sydney65]

This makes me so happy! I wish he would love them! They all have names and the only reason he knows them is because they are all different colors

This makes me so happy! I wish he would love them! They all have names and the only reason he knows them is because they are all different colors

"Love" might be too strong of a word... but when I walk up holding one now he tentatively reaches out to pet them. He does go over and above to try to keep them safe, though.