Male guinea is taking over baby keets like a female

[klesoine]

I have had 2 male guineas for over 2 years. I received 15 guineas and 20 chicks last week. They are in separate brooding boxes. Much to my surprise one of male guineas gets in the brooder and acts as guinea mothers do with their little ones. He has spent longer and longer periods with them. Now he hardly leaves them. They nestle into him, sit on his back, peck his face as he pecks theirs and he seems very happy. The other male sits outside the box but leaves a lot. He does not seem interested in the keets at all but doesn't like leaving his buddy. Have you ever seen that kind of behavior from a male?

 

[R2elk]

I have had 2 male guineas for over 2 years. I received 15 guineas and 20 chicks last week. They are in separate brooding boxes. Much to my surprise one of male guineas gets in the brooder and acts as guinea mothers do with their little ones. He has spent longer and longer periods with them. Now he hardly leaves them. They nestle into him, sit on his back, peck his face as he pecks theirs and he seems very happy. The other male sits outside the box but leaves a lot. He does not seem interested in the keets at all but doesn't like leaving his buddy. Have you ever seen that kind of behavior from a male?

It is not uncommon for male guineas to assist in raising keets.

 

[klesoine]

They have such bad raps as parents! I've had great mothers....and not so great. Kind of like humans

 

[perchie.girl]

In a wild flock in Africa its very common for males and Other females to Watch over the Littles.... Even the Bachelors will.

So if you get a bad momma in the wild the rest of the flock will take up those duties.

deb

 

[red horse ranch]

Some of my male guineas were a better parent than the hen. Seems like the male is more careful with them. A few times females have stepped on babies but my males never have.

 

[justin shrew]

yes, it is normal and common for guinea cocks to raise and care for young. sometimes if the hen dies, the males take it on and be mamas,raise their youngs.

 

[Flario12]

I have had 2 male guineas for over 2 years. I received 15 guineas and 20 chicks last week. They are in separate brooding boxes. Much to my surprise one of male guineas gets in the brooder and acts as guinea mothers do with their little ones. He has spent longer and longer periods with them. Now he hardly leaves them. They nestle into him, sit on his back, peck his face as he pecks theirs and he seems very happy. The other male sits outside the box but leaves a lot. He does not seem interested in the keets at all but doesn't like leaving his buddy. Have you ever seen that kind of behavior from a male?

After many attempts my hen finally hatched 11 babies, but 2 nights later a raccoon got her and the babies scattered. The next morning when i let the male out he found 2 ams sat on them while we gathered the other surviving 7. Hes been an amazing dad. He keeps them close and if one falls behind he goes back for it. Its really surprising since hes earned the nickname of the baby slayer around here but now hes raising them. I really thought he would try to kill them like roosters but its tge opposite