Guinea genealogy chart

[R2elk]

This past summer I had 10 females and 4 males, so no unmated males. Although there was broodiness associated mate swapping, I really don’t think that there was much otherwise sneaky mating going on. Ghost has 6 girls, more than he can keep up with well. Kingpin seems to really stick to his mate and hardly want to be around the other birds, though he has returned to his bros now that his girl is broody... I thought that Victor was putting the moves on Pearl, and they might have gotten together, but Pearl seems firmly back with Ghost now. And Bruiser could presumably have more girls if he wanted, but just hasn’t seemed interested. Nonetheless, I’ve seen some spectacular chases between the cocks! I have no idea what sets it off: I will just have a crazy cock running past me full speed and know that the chase is on! They havent chased in a few weeks; I think hormones are winding down for fall. I’m only getting a few eggs a day now. of course I’ve also had 4 hens go broody in the last few weeks...

I am also down to 2 eggs a day. I thought they had moved the nest again but did not find any other nests when I mowed their pen.

 

[southwind00]

I am also down to 2 eggs a day. I thought they had moved the nest again but did not find any other nests when I mowed their pen.

My last egg was Thursday from my three hens. But they are still broody on my three fake eggs, esp Ebay(my white hen). She moves them all around, gets mad if I get to close. She may will one to hatch.

 

[Sydney65]

I am also down to 2 eggs a day. I thought they had moved the nest again but did not find any other nests when I mowed their pen.

I wld have thought you guys wld have come to an end ahead of the rest of us w/colder weather? I haven't seen any fkr several days now, and they are reluctant to come outside. (It's only in the 50's, not like it's freezing). But we did get the panels back up for the littles benefit.

 

[R2elk]

It is a beautiful sunny day here at 58°F. My guineas come out even when it is snow and sub zero temperatures. I got two eggs yesterday but none the day before.

 

[Sydney65]

It is a beautiful sunny day here at 58°F. My guineas come out even when it is snow and sub zero temperatures. I got two eggs yesterday but none the day before.

So when they stop laying eggs, do they stop wandering off looking for a place to nest? I still haven't let Rosie roam free until everyone else is back in the run, but I'd sure like to let her enjoy these remaining nice days.

 

[My2butterflies]

So when they stop laying eggs, do they stop wandering off looking for a place to nest? I still haven't let Rosie roam free until everyone else is back in the run, but I'd sure like to let her enjoy these remaining nice days.

I can’t speak for everyone, but mine have stopped laying and no longer roam far. It’s a relief that they stay in the yard now. We rent our fields and it’s harvest season. Our guineas are not afraid of engines and will not move. I’ve been worried that they will get killed if they start harvesting while the guineas are out in the field.

 

[R2elk]

So when they stop laying eggs, do they stop wandering off looking for a place to nest? I still haven't let Rosie roam free until everyone else is back in the run, but I'd sure like to let her enjoy these remaining nice days.

Mine have stopped laying and are getting into larger groups than during mating and laying season. They are guineas so there can always be a disturbance in the flock dynamics but for the most part, mine are all getting along with each other better now and through the winter than any other time of the year.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

So when they stop laying eggs, do they stop wandering off looking for a place to nest? I still haven't let Rosie roam free until everyone else is back in the run, but I'd sure like to let her enjoy these remaining nice days.

Mine are behaving very differently. I’m still locking them up for half the day because I’m so nervous about the road, but they are all hanging out as one group and I haven’t seen them wander offll no property yet... The new group dynamics are fascinating. Bruiser’s two girls, plus Viceroy, are back to being lowest on the totem pole and on the fringes of the main group. They follow the group but keep their distance or they are chased off. Last year’s boys: Bruiser, Victor, and Kingpin stay together. They will still run at Ghost sometime, but Ghost stays next to the dominant hens, Cherry and Lemon Pie, as part of the same group. This year’s babies are low ranking, but still stay with the main group instead of the fringes with Bruiser’s girls.

 

[Sydney65]

Rosie walked directly back to run from kennel yesterday, so I let her roam today. Same as you all report, everyone stayed in the yard,playful but no squabbling, happy to sit w/me while I was out & knocked at the door when they were ready to go in. I'm so glad they had today bc they started harvesting this evening. It's so dry that the back was a solid white cloud.