Injured guinea keet

[Cassie_jo86]

I have 5 guinea keets that are around 9 weeks old. I let them free range with my chickens during the day and out them in a separate pen at night. I noticed today that one of the guinea fowls has a severe pecking injury to the back of there head to the point that you can see its skull. It is eating and drinking fine and I have out vetericin spray on the wound. I'm just wondering if it is going to be ok and if there is anything else I need to do for it. Also should I keep it separated from the other guinea keets as well?

 

[Sydney65]

I have 5 guinea keets that are around 9 weeks old. I let them free range with my chickens during the day and out them in a separate pen at night. I noticed today that one of the guinea fowls has a severe pecking injury to the back of there head to the point that you can see its skull. It is eating and drinking fine and I have out vetericin spray on the wound. I'm just wondering if it is going to be ok and if there is anything else I need to do for it. Also should I keep it separated from the other guinea keets as

Veterycin is very good. If you can attach a bandage (easier said than done) to cover the open areas,that would be best. Depending on which veterycin you have, the gel actually forms a seal over the wound, kind of like liquid bandaid
Separating inside a crate for a day or 2 would probably be best to ward off infection. You need to determine if there is one bully or if everyone is abusing the keet. If it's just one, then the bully gets timed out for a cpl of days. If it's everyone, then you have a loner (common).
Try to provide separate feeding and roosting are for it and escape measures. I put a shelf on the side where mine roosted, and a small tupperware on one of the upper 2x4 of coop frame he was known to go to for his food. As they got older he established himself in the coop, but still remained pretty much a loner.

 

[MamaWesley]

Veterycin is very good. If you can attach a bandage (easier said than done) to cover the open areas,that would be best. Depending on which veterycin you have, the gel actually forms a seal over the wound, kind of like liquid bandaid
Separating inside a crate for a day or 2 would probably be best to ward off infection. You need to determine if there is one bully or if everyone is abusing the keet. If it's just one, then the bully gets timed out for a cpl of days. If it's everyone, then you have a loner (common).
Try to provide separate feeding and roosting are for it and escape measures. I put a shelf on the side where mine roosted, and a small tupperware on one of the upper 2x4 of coop frame he was known to go to for his food. As they got older he established himself in the coop, but still remained pretty much a loner.

Newbie here for guineas... You can time out guineas for bullying?? We have 3 males 1 female and those boys love to torture one of my chickens and my older ducks. Will keeping them in their house actually work for this? I am desparate here with scared birds and not knowing which direction to go. Was thinking of putting their house just outside of the fenced run and let them free range, but when I had the one gate open for the others to free range while I was outside, they wouldn't go out... I'm stumped...

 

[Sydney65]

Newbie here for guineas... You can time out guineas for bullying?? We have 3 males 1 female and those boys love to torture one of my chickens and my older ducks. Will keeping them in their house actually work for this? I am desparate here with scared birds and not knowing which direction to go. Was thinking of putting their house just outside of the fenced run and let them free range, but when I had the one gate open for the others to free range while I was outside, they wouldn't go out... I'm stumped...

Are they all in the same coop? Most find that if guineas aren't cooped w/other birds,they ignore them while free ranging, but housed together causes problems.
Guinea behavior is different. They live by hierarchy,& males will do battle to be the alpha. Once that's settled, the winter will be fairly calm.
In the spring, the battle will resume, & they will mate with chickens. Chickens don't play the same, so you will end up w/traumatized,injured or worse, chickens. Male Guineas will chase each other endlessly, pull feathers, peck, and fight.
Time out for a cpl of days is to break the hierarchy. Then you put the birdback in, see if it worked, if not, time out again. Sometimes it doesn't work & you end up w/a bird that needs culled or rehomed.
I have a feeling your situation needs separation from chickens/ducks. But if you can get a cpl more females now, your life will be calmer next spring.

 

[MamaWesley]

Are they all in the same coop? Most find that if guineas aren't cooped w/other birds,they ignore them while free ranging, but housed together causes problems.
Guinea behavior is different. They live by hierarchy,& males will do battle to be the alpha. Once that's settled, the winter will be fairly calm.
In the spring, the battle will resume, & they will mate with chickens. Chickens don't play the same, so you will end up w/traumatized,injured or worse, chickens. Male Guineas will chase each other endlessly, pull feathers, peck, and fight.
Time out for a cpl of days is to break the hierarchy. Then you put the birdback in, see if it worked, if not, time out again. Sometimes it doesn't work & you end up w/a bird that needs culled or rehomed.
I have a feeling your situation needs separation from chickens/ducks. But if you can get a cpl more females now, your life will be calmer next spring.

We fought for over a year trying to find these guineas... lost 2 at the start and ended with what we have. Yes I've seen them chasing and pecking each other already... smh, boys... lol. They are in the same run, not in the same houses at night. Thanks for all your help! I will definitely be separating them asap!

 

[Sydney65]

We fought for over a year trying to find these guineas... lost 2 at the start and ended with what we have. Yes I've seen them chasing and pecking each other already... smh, boys... lol. They are in the same run, not in the same houses at night. Thanks for all your help! I will definitely be separating them asap!

Incase I made them sound horrid, I love my birds dearly. But I know who they are & their behavior. Oh, and don't believe the hogwash..if you do your part, they make amazing parents.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Incase I made them sound horrid, I love my birds dearly. But I know who they are & their behavior. Oh, and don't believe the hogwash..if you do your part, they make amazing parents.

Well yours are apparently great parents, Sydney, but I think a few of mine are going to have to turn in their “I’m a great parent” badges!!! Instead they are going to get this lovely participation trophy…

 

[Sydney65]

Well yours are apparently great parents, Sydney, but I think a few of mine are going to have to turn in their “I’m a great parent” badges!!! Instead they are going to get this lovely participation trophy…

Have you had another hatch? Numi's a fierce momma. Thank goodness she likes me!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Have you had another hatch? Numi's a fierce momma. Thank goodness she likes me!

You’ve done the most amazing job with Numi! It’s so fantastic that you raised this singleton in the house, no doubt thinking she was a human, and she ended up with a mate and eggs and keets and does great with your new keets! What a fantastic bird she is!!! Yes, I’ve had a rough Guinea summer! See:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hatching-notes-summer-2022.1546769/

 

[MamaWesley]

Incase I made them sound horrid, I love my birds dearly. But I know who they are & their behavior. Oh, and don't believe the hogwash..if you do your part, they make amazing parents.

No you didn't... What you said makes sense a lot! My son and I moved their house outside the fenced run, they can still see everyone. I feel bad for the one girl, she was always good, but would yell and yell if she didn't see those boys. lol. I also looked into homing two of the boys, only because I'm on disability and am learning my limits along with not wanting to burden my other birds. My girl that was being picked on stayed in the run today and was happy again. That makes my day right there. I just love all my babies and have to know they are doing good. Thanks for all your help!!! <3