More cocks?

[Timinthewoods]

Hi Guinea owners

I've just got myself 4 Guinea Fowl, 3 hens and a cock, and they are great However, the cock seems to have bonded with one of the hens and leaves the others alone. Should I introduce another cock or two to the flock or is it likely to cause a fight? I've only had them for a week - the cock was kept separately from the hens at the breeder's place so he's new to the hens.

Cheers

Tim

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Multiple cocks in the flock is generally the rule with Guinea Fowl.

 

[R2elk]

Hi Guinea owners

I've just got myself 4 Guinea Fowl, 3 hens and a cock, and they are great However, the cock seems to have bonded with one of the hens and leaves the others alone. Should I introduce another cock or two to the flock or is it likely to cause a fight? I've only had them for a week - the cock was kept separately from the hens at the breeder's place so he's new to the hens.

Cheers

Tim

Guineas have a tendency to bond in pairs so it is best to have equal numbers. Guineas also do best in large groups.

 

[Timinthewoods]

Thanks for the replies, feels like I should get a couple more fellas then. Should I get them now whilst the flock is still new or wait til they are out of their homing phase and free-ranging to give them more space? I was only planning on 4 birds in the coop and run for four weeks or so, so built accordingly. The coop is 3ft x 5ft and the run is 12ft x 6ft. The hens are laying in a nesting spot in the run already and would prefer not to upset that if possible.



Cheers

Tim

 

[2 many chickens]

Lol @ more cocks.
#cocks

 

[Timinthewoods]

Lol @ more cocks.
#cocks

 

[R2elk]

Thanks for the replies, feels like I should get a couple more fellas then. Should I get them now whilst the flock is still new or wait til they are out of their homing phase and free-ranging to give them more space? I was only planning on 4 birds in the coop and run for four weeks or so, so built accordingly. The coop is 3ft x 5ft and the run is 12ft x 6ft. The hens are laying in a nesting spot in the run already and would prefer not to upset that if possible.



Cheers

Tim

Your coop and run is not appropriate for any guineas. Guineas are not chickens and need lots more run space. They like to roost high which is not possible in such a tiny coop. The minimum coop space is 4 sq. ft. of clear floor area per bird.

 

[Timinthewoods]

Your coop and run is not appropriate for any guineas. Guineas are not chickens and need lots more run space. They like to roost high which is not possible in such a tiny coop. The minimum coop space is 4 sq. ft. of clear floor area per bird.

I'd read 3 to 4 sq ft per bird and 3x5 would give 15. And the run being 4 times that, 72 sq ft would be enough. The 4 birds I have seem to be happily roosting so far.

Again, this is temporary housing, with the flock being free-ranged once they have been around long enough to feel at home so. If I get a couple of cocks once the current birds have been let out are they likely to be shunned from the flock?

 

[R2elk]

I'd read 3 to 4 sq ft per bird and 3x5 would give 15. And the run being 4 times that, 72 sq ft would be enough. The 4 birds I have seem to be happily roosting so far.

Again, this is temporary housing, with the flock being free-ranged once they have been around long enough to feel at home so. If I get a couple of cocks once the current birds have been let out are they likely to be shunned from the flock?

The earlier new additions are made, the more easily they are accepted.

 

[Krazyquilts]

Your coop and run is not appropriate for any guineas. Guineas are not chickens and need lots more run space. They like to roost high which is not possible in such a tiny coop. The minimum coop space is 4 sq. ft. of clear floor area per bird.

I agree. I can't imagine putting guineas in so small a run. It would be great for chickens, though.