Headed over here for a Gender assist

[Snakebiteholloway]

The internet is full of conflicting info. I'm trying to sex these two 3 month old guineas. They are twins as far as head shape, wattle, comb, cheeks flaps, etc. They act like my chicken hens, more than my chicken roosters - (chickens for 7 years) but that's all I've to go on as far as experience. I've zero with guineas. This is my 3rd try. I've ordered 20 every spring, but i guess the hatchery i once used was bad because each time they died, bright orange diarrhea and heads curled backwards. Sorry - it's just that these were the only two out of 13 that survived this time! I'm really hoping they're hens.
I will get better pics, but here's one to start.
I appreciate any help. I'm relocating more than 3000 miles away and my 40 chickens and 20 quail must travel by truck. I have limited space, and don't want two guinea males to drag along. Not a male bird fan. Useless critters, lol! I've a couple months to get ready, but not a year to wait and see if they lay an egg. I don't eat bird meat, so i have a good home lined up for them JIC. 4H kid. Yay!

 

[R2elk]

The internet is full of conflicting info. I'm trying to sex these two 3 month old guineas. They are twins as far as head shape, wattle, comb, cheeks flaps, etc. They act like my chicken hens, more than my chicken roosters - (chickens for 7 years) but that's all I've to go on as far as experience. I've zero with guineas. This is my 3rd try. I've ordered 20 every spring, but i guess the hatchery i once used was bad because each time they died, bright orange diarrhea and heads curled backwards. Sorry - it's just that these were the only two out of 13 that survived this time! I'm really hoping they're hens.
I will get better pics, but here's one to start.
I appreciate any help. I'm relocating more than 3000 miles away and my 40 chickens and 20 quail must travel by truck. I have limited space, and don't want two guinea males to drag along. Not a male bird fan. Useless critters, lol! I've a couple months to get ready, but not a year to wait and see if they lay an egg. I don't eat bird meat, so i have a good home lined up for them JIC. 4H kid. Yay!

Guineas cannot be sexed from photos. Wait for the "buckwheat" call.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

Guineas cannot be sexed from photos. Wait for the "buckwheat" call.

Ok. Thanks. That at least validates that I'm not crazy. I've looked at dozens of pics online and each claims something different gender wise. So at least i feel less insane. Thanks for that.

 

[R2elk]

Ok. Thanks. That at least validates that I'm not crazy. I've looked at dozens of pics online and each claims something different gender wise. So at least i feel less insane. Thanks for that.

There are a few ways to identify the sexes during laying season. Hens that are laying will have a raised bustle. During the rest of the year, their bustles are the same as the males.

 

[red horse ranch]

If they are 3 months old and you still haven't identified the "buckwheat" call then they are likely male. At that age a female should be calling a lot to find a mate. I think it sounds like a constant 'gobackgobackgoback' . A male cannot make this sound.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

There are a few ways to identify the sexes during laying season. Hens that are laying will have a raised bustle. During the rest of the year, their bustles are the same as the males.

Thanks. I understand they don't lay for at least a year, so i have a long wait and short time. In two months I am relocating by truck more than 3000 miles. I've narrowed my flock of chickens and quail down to 40 and 16, respectively. I just didn't want to bring the guineas if they are male, as cruel as that sounds. I have a 4H kid neighbor that will take them if they are. But i was hoping to be sure - I've ordered more than 30 and these are the only two that have survived. Most DOA, the rest sick and died after arrival. So sad. After the second replacement order when they all pooped bright orange, curled their heads back and died again(!) I just got a refund and quit. So I'm really hoping for hens. Thank you for the tip!

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

If they are 3 months old and you still haven't identified the "buckwheat" call then they are likely male. At that age a female should be calling a lot to find a mate. I think it sounds like a constant 'gobackgobackgoback' . A male cannot make this sound.

When they were younger, they both actually made that sound! Research said they were too young to discern gender despite calls ... now all they do is alert, if that, and it all sounds like squawking. Nothing discernable or definitive. Sigh... not yay.
Thank you. I'm probably just going to give them to the 4H kid.i REALLY want some guinea hens. Maybe it'll be easier to find healthy ones in Louisiana. Thank you. I appreciate the info.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks. I understand they don't lay for at least a year, so i have a long wait and short time. In two months I am relocating by truck more than 3000 miles. I've narrowed my flock of chickens and quail down to 40 and 16, respectively. I just didn't want to bring the guineas if they are male, as cruel as that sounds. I have a 4H kid neighbor that will take them if they are. But i was hoping to be sure - I've ordered more than 30 and these are the only two that have survived. Most DOA, the rest sick and died after arrival. So sad. After the second replacement order when they all pooped bright orange, curled their heads back and died again(!) I just got a refund and quit. So I'm really hoping for hens. Thank you for the tip!

If you are moving to another state make sure you have the required certifications for the state you are relocating to and all the states you will be passing through.

These requirements can be learned by contacting the state veterinarian in each of states involved.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

If you are moving to another state make sure you have the required certifications for the state you are relocating to and all the states you will be passing through.

These requirements can be learned by contacting the state veterinarian in each of states involved.

Already in the works, thanks.