Guinea's Missing Feathers on back between wings.

[CYMBREE]

I first noticed the missing feathers this spring and assumed they were molting (still not sure what that looks like). My oldest guinea, 'Keet', lost a clump of feathers in the same area the end of March, early April, at the same time finding his first mate. (I stole her eggs and incubated them.) Feather loss is not as drastic on these other guineas. It could possibly be different guineas I'm seeing, but I would think they would all 'molt' at the same time. The surrounding feathers are tattered. Is it possible I have another problem such as mites? I presently have approximately 40 Guinea in my flock, but only a few of the 1 year olds are afflicted. Nobody is itching. Everybody is still chasing and breeding. That being said, I would venture to guess that most of the Guinea's missing feathers would be the males. Maybe they are lacking something in their diet? If you are fortunate to have knowledge or expertise in this area I would greatly appreciate your wisdom.

 

[robin416]

Without seeing them its all guess work. Usually when feathers are missing on the back that is from an attack from a predator, that's the only time I've ever seen it. Actually I have one now that got snatched by a fox. The fox dropped it when it realized a crazy woman was running after it yelling at it to drop my bird. Guineas also have a protective mechanism when under attack by a predator, they shed feathers. It helps confuse a predator hopefully long enough that the bird can get away.

The ragged feathers could be fighting amongst themselves, this time of year can really get them fired up. I don't know why, its the end of breeding season but it can get wild out there.

 

[Surehatch]

Missing feathers indicate some attack - maybe even from within the herd

 

[cracking up]

That was my first thought too. It sounds like they are fighting.

 

[MuranoFarms]

If they are females but could it be from overmating? Sounds similar to the feather loss on a few of my chicken hens...I know that's the roo's doing lol I've never noticed feather loss on the backs of the guineas, but when my guinea hens try to set a nest they tend to pull out a lot of tail feathers so their tails look really tattered.

 

[jrobertson]

sounds like you have way to many males. or the males are too big for the females to fight off. it sounds exactly like overbreeding to me. pen up the afflicted ones and they will get better. i figure that you will find all the ones missing feathers between their wings are hens.

 

[CYMBREE]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your responses.

You have all reassured me that I do not have any type of parasite problem which was my main concern.

I know I don't have a predator problem, so that only leaves a bit of rough mating, which I can deal with. Breeding season will soon come to a halt, my babies will molt, and fresh and pretty new feathers will appear. Ahhh, breathe a sigh of relief!

I have two broody hens, both sitting on nests of 20+ eggs within fenced enclosures. One should be hatching any day.

My brooder is ready if they succeed in hatching their own. I won't trust her to raise them to maturity. Heard too many stories.