Keep or Go?

[jfarr]

I got 3 keets about 2 months ago and love watching their antics. I had one female (found her dead in the coop last night, not sure what happened.)

The two males are mean to my hens, chase them, pull feathers, keep them away from the food especially when they are in the run or at the end of the day before going in at night.

Will they outgrow this behavior? My husband is ready to wring their necks because they ade so mean and I don't like it either.

Any thoughts?

Is this just temporary to create the "guineas rule" pecking order or will it always continue?

 

[Jmanvanatta]

it could be they are tring to mate. but a book that may help is gardening with guinies

 

[jfarr]

I have the book and it didn't cover any of this!

I've separated them into a large dog pen in the run and they spent the day there today. Stressed them out, but the hens were happier.

I'm torn with whether to keep them or not. I don't have any roosters because I hated how they beat up the girls trying to mount them.

 

[Jmanvanatta]

get bantam roos they dont hurt them as much. In my exsperience

 

[jfarr]

Well, decision was made. Sent them home with someone today that will try out a few new recipes with them. I'm sad because they were wonderfully comical, not friendly but ciuldn't take the hen stress any longer.

Maybe if I ever get chickenless, I'll try them again.