lonely girl...

[blessedchick]

I have 6 guineas that are 6 months old and have been together since hatching. Just over the last month the gang has been alienating one of the females...she is always off by herself during the day while they free range and hesitates to go into the coop with them at night. They all roost together just fine at night, but if she mingles too close to them for too long of a period during the day someone will do a quick charge at her to keep her away.

Honestly, this is breaking my heart - I can't stand seeing her by herself. Does anyone have any suggestions? I even thought of re-homing her, but I do have one hope. I will be introducing another group of guineas (different color varieties) that will inhabit a different area of my farm and I'm thinking that she might blend in with them? Any suggestions would be so appreciated!

 

[PeepsCA]

If your male to Hen ration is more males than Hens, or even 50/50 then she should eventually be claimed by one of the males pretty soon since breeding season is coming up. Otherwise yah, her best bet to be part of a flock will be integrating her into a flock of some new Guineas. Hopefully they are a little younger than her, or she may be rejected from them as well. There's usually one bird that's low bird and rejected by the others in every flock, (sometimes the flocks senses that a bird is the weak link in their flock and will chase it off for that reason), but like I said, breeding season changes things, usually.

Good luck for your girl!

 

[blessedchick]

Thank you, PeepsCA, for the encouragement! It's sounding like my flock is 2 males and 4 females...yay for me, not so hot for lonely Miss Violet (Yup, the only one with a name...I SWORE I would not get attached to these crazy guineas!). I will be introducing keets to the mix later this summer from a local friend...since you can't send me any of yours!

Of course the keets will be kept locked up for awhile, and maybe by the time they are set free to roam, Miss Violet will join them. I'm just hoping that breeding season doesn't bring further alienation for this girl...

 

[perchie.girl]

I think moving her to a group where she will be high on the pecking order is an Excellent idea.

I have two that are low One is younger and the other is one legged.... Miss Peggy.... So I put them together Thank goodness the other is a boy. Hopefully he will claim her as his girl.

I am already seeing smoother feathers and less desperation in their eyes.

 

[blessedchick]

Aw, Deb...doesn't it just break your heart to see those lowly ones left out? (not allowed to join in any guinea games?

) I'm glad that you have 2 so that they can keep each other company. I'm anxiously awaiting keet season in Ohio so that I can get a few youngsters that might be more accepting of Miss Violet.

 

[perchie.girl]

Aw, Deb...doesn't it just break your heart to see those lowly ones left out? (not allowed to join in any guinea games?

) I'm glad that you have 2 so that they can keep each other company. I'm anxiously awaiting keet season in Ohio so that I can get a few youngsters that might be more accepting of Miss Violet.

It is far better not to see one being trampled and stood on while two are pulling feathers. Mr Piedy would just shut his eyes and hide his head behind something and take it. Miss Peggy was a little quicker to get out of the way because she has learned how to hopp reaaallly quickly.

When I got Mr Piedy he had had his wings clipped. Sigh. It was the former owners hope it would keep him in the yard she had already lost all his brothers and sisters. So Now he is convinced he is helpless. Both were being short changed on feed. So I split the coop/run with a feeder and waterer on each side. Giving the bigger side to the Shock Troop.

Once his flight feathers grow out he will regain his confidence but by removing them from the big group I have changed their flock dynamics. Not to worry though I will get them some Keets eventually .... Either hatched by me or bought.

deb

 

[girls and guineas]

I too have 6 guineas. (First time having chickens and guineas) They are about 7 mos old, straight run, brothers and sisters. I'm not real sure how many girls I have--sometimes one of them will chase each other?? At least 1 of the 6 has waddles that one side lays close like a hen, and the other side sticks out like a roo!! I try to listen to the "buckwheat" ones!! I think I have 3 girls and 3 roos. I wonder if it is okay for them to interbreed??
I also hate to see one or two of them chased, one stays back from the group and follows along! I was wondering about finding new homes for the roos, if that would be a good idea?? Trouble is, I don't know for sure which ones are roos?? Do you need to keep any roos? I don't need any more guineas, and I heard that they aren't very good mothers??
I have 5 regular hens and don't have a roo for them! They usually get along well!!
Hope this makes sense!!!