Need advice on mated Guinea pairs

[mrsfarmchick1]

I have raised a flock of seven Guineas (6 months old now). I had started noticing that they were pairing up but not sure how many males/females there were yet. This afternoon I noticed that there were 3 distinct pairs all separate from each other and one lone female. So my question is, since she obviously was the extra, will she be too lonely or outcast from now on - should I find her another male or find another home for her???
I guess I'm attributing human reasoning here, but I felt soooooo bad for her!

 

[robin416]

Its not impossible that one of the males will accept her in to the pair. And for the most part they will range during the day as a group. There is always a low bird and it appears she's it. Adding another male could complicate things in trying to work it in to the flock. It will take keeping it penned for an extended period of time in the coop. The cage has to be large enough to accommodate eating, drinking, defecating and perching.

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

Okay, I will just wait and see if she gets accepted into one of the pairs. Thanks for the input.

 

[fowlin]

was it the Buddha that said "to do nothing is to do everything that is needed to be done"?

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

Touche!

 

[PeepsCA]

It's been my experience with my flocks... that the males are greedy and will have/take as many females as they can get, even going as far as steeling females from males lower in the pecking order, leaving that lone male as the new tag-a-long! And don't be surprised if you see several that change their mates mid season. You just never know with Guineas!

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

It's been my experience with my flocks... that the males are greedy and will have/take as many females as they can get, even going as far as steeling females from males lower in the pecking order, leaving that lone male as the new tag-a-long! And don't be surprised if you see several that change their mates mid season. You just never know with Guineas!

I didn't know that, thanks. I also have chickens and the male guineas mercilessly chase the roosters and pull their feathers, and then they'll turn around and chase each other and yank the feathers. It bothers me how mean they are to the roosters...will that eventually get better? The guineas and roosters go in separate houses at night now.​

 

[PeepsCA]

I can't say they will stop, but I'm guessing the males are all aggravated by it being breeding season right now and will settle down after the season is over. My flocks get to burn off their extra pent up energy free ranging as much as possible.

 

[robin416]

Quote:
I didn't know that, thanks. I also have chickens and the male guineas mercilessly chase the roosters and pull their feathers, and then they'll turn around and chase each other and yank the feathers. It bothers me how mean they are to the roosters...will that eventually get better? The guineas and roosters go in separate houses at night now.

You're flock is not big enough. There are only three males which means there are not enough sparring partners which is part of the Guinea make up. I would keep watch on your roosters because Guineas can do some serious damage very quickly.

As long as you only have three males it will continue to be an issue. I have about 15 males in my flock, they don't even notice the chickens because they are too busy driving each other nuts.

 

[mrsfarmchick1]

As long as you only have three males it will continue to be an issue. I have about 15 males in my flock, they don't even notice the chickens because they are too busy driving each other nuts.

I actually started out with 14 keets and sold 7 of them at about 4 months old because I could see that their insane, ranting noise would soon drive me out of my mind. Over these last few days, they are getting into a better pattern of expanding their feeding range and not paying so much attention to the roosters. One big, happy family now!