I love hearing about everyone's experiences with hybrid crosses!
I just wanted to point out a few things for the folks who have asked if they are always sterile. For the most part, the answer is YES; because one of the definitions of a species is whether or not animals are able to interbreed and produce "viable" offspring. Viable offspring are those that live to adulthood, and are capable of passing on their traits to future generations. Some species are closely related enough to breed and produce hybrids, but they aren't considered viable if they are sterile (due to differences in numbers of chromosomes, etc.). Sometimes, testing whether or not two similar types of animals can breed successfully can help scientists determine if they are truly different species, or simply different subspecies. Hybrids very rarely live as long as either parent species, due to resulting health problems.
Ligers and Tigons, are some examples, as well as Mules and Hinnies. In these cases, the types of offspring that result from these crosses (Tigers and Lions, and Horses and Donkeys) depends on the gender of each parent. Mules occur when a mare (female horse) is bred to a jackass (male donkey), while a Hinny is the product of a jennet (female donkey) and a stallion (male horse). Mules are much more common because they have a higher conception rate and are hardier and stronger than Hinnies. Parentage is even more of a factor with Ligers and Tigons because of the size differences. A liger is the huge offspring that results when a male lion breeds with a female tigress, while a Tigon is the smaller offspring of a female lioness and a male tiger. Supposedly, sometimes female ligers and tigons can be fertile, and can be bred back to a parent species... but the male hybrids are ALWAYS sterile.
I wonder if it might make a difference if the types of guinea crosses that can occur are affected by their parentage, as well. Only guinea hen / rooster crosses occur "naturally", according to a website I read... but it is possible to cross a chicken hen with a guinea cock, through artificial insemination. I would hypothesize that it MAY be possible for some Guin-hens (female guinea-chickens) to lay eggs but they would most likely be infertile. However, I feel certain that all male Guins (male guinea-chickens) would be incapable of, and possible disinterested in, breeding.
I just thought I'd share this information with anyone who might be interested in understanding some of the biology involved. I find it fascinating!
The feet and legs have always been beefier like the EE daddy. Don't know about the rest of his bones but the feet and legs don't look or feel fragile like a guinea. We'll see. Thanks for the information!
