My guinea problems

[joyous]

Was your guinea that died a lavender or coral?? For some reason , my flock of 14 (3 males) all seemed to chase off my lavender and corals. I have only had guineas for a year and a half, but I have had different numbers due to selling and breeding for the colors I want...every where from 2-16. I found that in my limited experience, it never made a difference how many males I had, whether one or 4, they all seemed to pick on the chickens. Now I have a flock of 8, with 2 males and although they have never injured the chickens, they do from time to time pull out feathers...they even have my two roosters cowered at times! It has worked best for me to have less guinea males. The females all live in harmony with the chickens.

 

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my guineas chase my chickens they have actually killed 3 in about 2 years

 

[N. Virginia]

OK...I have 3 guineys and 8 chickens and 1 chicken rooster, so now, from reading this thread, I know I have problems. I guess other than increasing the number of guineys and getting them a new pen and house, my options are to give the guineys away or eat them. Because they are definitely getting aggressive with one little hen (and so are the other chickens).

Let's hear from others...has anyone successfully had just a few guineys and a few chickens?
Thanks much,
N. VA

 

[zazouse]

Quote:
Quite simply, you don't have enough Guineas. I really wish people would learn about this creature before they add them to their flocks. Guineas should have at least ten Guineas in the flock to keep them from focusing on the chickens. Their genetics dictate that they behave in a certain way and nothing you do will change that except to add to the Guinea numbers or get rid of the two.

Well i have over a 100 grown guineas , over 300 chickens, 9 geese, 30 ducks and 5 peafowl and they all freerange and i can tell you the guineas still pick on my roos sometimes but then the next day they follow them around like they were best of friends.

Guineas love to play chase and this includes trying to get chickens to play also so it does not matter if ya got 1 or 100 they may still play the game .

 

[racuda]

Quote:
Quite simply, you don't have enough Guineas. I really wish people would learn about this creature before they add them to their flocks. Guineas should have at least ten Guineas in the flock to keep them from focusing on the chickens. Their genetics dictate that they behave in a certain way and nothing you do will change that except to add to the Guinea numbers or get rid of the two.

Well i have over a 100 grown guineas , over 300 chickens, 9 geese, 30 ducks and 5 peafowl and they all freerange and i can tell you the guineas still pick on my roos sometimes but then the next day they follow them around like they were best of friends.

Guineas love to play chase and this includes trying to get chickens to play also so it does not matter if ya got 1 or 100 they may still play the game .

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e149/zazousemoon206/farm/nov2010/GF.jpg

Do the Guineas ever mess with the peafowl?

 

[zazouse]

Only seen it one time, the guinea ran at the male he jumped straight up in the air turned around and was standing over the guinea, silly guinea was looking for the disapearing pea when he turned and saw him standing over him, he let out a squack,chatter and took off never to be seen again by Mr. pea

My peas are only 5 months old and much bigger than the guineas, i don't think they will be a problem in the future

 

[N. Virginia]

Wow...beautiful birds. You aren't troubled by predators? Maybe there is safety in numbers.
Cheers,
N. VA

 

[zazouse]

There is safety in the number of dogs i have

 

[N. Virginia]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures. You are very lucky. Your place looks like heaven - a world full of beasts.
Cheers,
N. VA

 

[Chicken Junkies]

We have a pair of Guinea, a Pied male and Lavender hen. They got along great, but recently we added 6 African whites to the flock. The day we got them they scrapped a bit and that night the Lavender hen wouldn't come in the coop. It rained and she got wet, but we found her and put her in with the others. Ever since she has been ostracized from the flock. Even the Pied male chases her off. She hangs out with them, but always about 10 feet away. Any closer and they chase her. I feel so sorry for her, cause she cries all the time. What to do?

Also, they free range but come in the coop at night. Lately there has been a lot of chasing and I find hens in weird hidey holes around the acreage. No eggs yet, but looking like they want to nest. A few days ago one of the Whites disappeared and we can't find it anywhere. Not a feather to be found. What kind of predators prey on Guineas? Wouldn't there be some feathers at least. We have looked high and low and don't want to lose any more. Could she be nesting this time of year? What to do???? Any suggestions?