Keet Color ID’s? First Guinea Hatch!!

[R2elk]

So how long have you been doing this? Do you have a million guineas running around??

I currently keep 13 guineas. The first batch of 27 guinea eggs in the incubator is due 6/18. The second batch of 89 eggs is due 7/3.

Prior to the change in Internet protocols, there was lots of information on guinea color genetics. Much of it is no longer available. I was also able to have PMs with @PeepsCA before she disappeared from BYC.

Due to an error by the provider of my first guinea hatching eggs, I ended up with guineas that it was possible to know what their actual color genes were. Following the color genetics through my flock has been an interesting experience and in at least one case has dispelled some claims about the the color genes of the Royal Purple guineas.

 

[MissTracy]

I currently keep 13 guineas. The first batch of 27 guinea eggs in the incubator is due 6/18. The second batch of 89 eggs is due 7/3.

Prior to the change in Internet protocols, there was lots of information on guinea color genetics. Much of it is no longer available. I was also able to have PMs with @PeepsCA before she disappeared from BYC.

Due to an error by the provider of my first guinea hatching eggs, I ended up with guineas that it was possible to know what their actual color genes were. Following the color genetics through my flock has been an interesting experience and in at least one case has dispelled some claims about the the color genes of the Royal Purple guineas.

Wow. So far I have had zero RP’s hatch and I have four in the flock, as many as I have Pearls. Have hatched around fifteen or so so far, we’ll see if I get any more. Not sure of their age but they might be on the older side.

 

[R2elk]

My Royal Purple was created by breeding a Chocolate male to a Coral Blue hen. They make more Royal Purples every year so I am sure it is not from a color mutation. At least one other person has proven that his Royal Purple also has a blue color gene. When I had a Powder Blue male, combining his color genes with my Royal Purple's color genes created a few Violets along with some Coral Blues.

 

[MissTracy]

My Royal Purple was created by breeding a Chocolate male to a Coral Blue hen. They make more Royal Purples every year so I am sure it is not from a color mutation. At least one other person has proven that his Royal Purple also has a blue color gene. When I had a Powder Blue male, combining his color genes with my Royal Purple's color genes created a few Violets along with some Coral Blues.

So how long does that take? To set up a male and a female alone? Do you keep your males and females separate? It seems like mine have a specific mate, and so far it seems around 50% of my eggs are not fertilized.

 

[R2elk]

So how long does that take? To set up a male and a female alone? Do you keep your males and females separate? It seems like mine have a specific mate, and so far it seems around 50% of my eggs are not fertilized.

Mine all run together. Not all males stick to a specific mate especially after she has gone broody. If you only have 50% fertile, you either don't have enough males or you have a genetics problem from too closely related guineas. I suspect it is too few males. Not all males want more than one mate while others are quite happy to play the field.

I know the color genetics behind each bird in my flock because of their heritage and the outcomes of their breedings. The only two with the color genes possible to make the Violets were the the Royal Purple combined with the Powder Blue. It also proved that the Royal Purple has only one partial dotting gene.

The Powder Blue was chosen as a mated by a Coral Blue hen. One of the Coral Blue males took her away from him after his mate went broody. From time to time I could see the Powder Blue sneak in and breed another male's hen. Of course that immediately caused the ensuing chase and fight. This went on all summer long until the Powder Blue died.

 

[GuineaLady93]

Alright - had a mystery little guy hatch yesterday. Lavender pied maybe?View attachment 2190533View attachment 2190534

This is Coral blue.

 

[MissTracy]

Mine all run together. Not all males stick to a specific mate especially after she has gone broody. If you only have 50% fertile, you either don't have enough males or you have a genetics problem from too closely related guineas. I suspect it is too few males. Not all males want more than one mate while others are quite happy to play the field.

I know the color genetics behind each bird in my flock because of their heritage and the outcomes of their breedings. The only two with the color genes possible to make the Violets were the the Royal Purple combined with the Powder Blue. It also proved that the Royal Purple has only one partial dotting gene.

The Powder Blue was chosen as a mated by a Coral Blue hen. One of the Coral Blue males took her away from him after his mate went broody. From time to time I could see the Powder Blue sneak in and breed another male's hen. Of course that immediately caused the ensuing chase and fight. This went on all summer long until the Powder Blue died.

Oh no that’s awful. I just lost my blonde but thankfully I have hatched some blondes and still have some of her eggs getting ready to hatch. I wish I had enough time to spend watching mine that closely. They are all in together but I rarely see them mate. I lost a couple a few months ago and I believe both were males. Maybe will have a better run next year.
I got all but one as a group about a year ago. I have no idea if any of them are related or not. Sort of having a rough day with them - had to move a bunch of eggs out from a broody because she was crushing chicks trying to hatch. Fingers crossed my bantams can finish the job for me and I won’t lose any more.
Thank you so much for taking time out to help explain things to me. I am curious as to what other colors might be possible with the colors I have

 

[MissTracy]

Alright, oh sage one R2elk, have another one for you. Had a pied with no line hatch today. Any ideas?

 

[R2elk]

Alright, oh sage one R2elk, have another one for you. Had a pied with no line hatch today. Any ideas?View attachment 2206190

It needs to be drier, but not a pied. Depending on how dark the coloring is, it is probably a Royal Purple.
Part of my hatch from a few days ago.

The two light brown ones are Chocolate, the grayish one is a Coral Blue and the others are Royal Purples.

 

[MissTracy]

Heyyy! Look at those cuties!!
And that would be awesome to finally get an RP! Thank you! (It looked drier earlier idk what he’s been into lol)