Just took over a flock of guineas of 14 and

[critters]

when I did a head count realized there are 5 males/roosters and 9 females/hens.

my question is this...even with the 36 I already have I don't have enough roosters
for the hens....so...will the roosters 'service' their mate and take care of a hen without a
male or do the extra hens just get left out ????

 

[Duckopolis]

Some roosters will take over two hens.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello:

I am guessing that no one will really know the answer to this one. catching Guinea Hens mating is a pretty rare sight.
One thing that may be in your favor....
The Male Guineas will probably not fight or run each other as much.
This is a good thing.
Male Guineas tend to pcik out one or two female Guineas anyhow.
They willl run with them in a pack of 2 to 10 females and maybe a male or two also.
guineas tend to breack up into smaller groups when they free range.
I do not know if you have yours pened up ?
Hope this helps.
Guinea G.

 

[critters]

Yes it is helpful....
Right now I have them penned up to be on the
safe side that they don't introduce something to my
guineas.....peafowl, ducks and chickens.
They will at some point be free rangers
I have one group of 20 that free range
and another group of 16 are penned......

 

[mommaguinea]

I was researching this just yesterday- the maximum ratio is three hens to one rooster. Best paired up, but sometimes space does not permit such. I think fertility is best at 2:1 or 1:1 as noted above.

 

[Rosto]

They will probably work it out themselves and divide up into family units. We have had over 40 running free range here. They group themselves into smaller "family" units with multiple females. They even lay their eggs in a communal family nest. When keets hatch they work together to raise the babies. Also, I would keep them penned for a while so they acclimate to their new home. I know of some folks who didn't do this and their new birds literally flew the coop and were lost. Best of luck with your flocks!

 

[critters]

Thanks for your input..