NOISY guineas!!!!!!!

[H6Tjadeb]

My guineas are soooooooooooo loud!!!!!!!! They are always "talking" and not quitly but very very very loud. What should I do?????

 

[Reurra]

Welcome to owning guineas.

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/livestock-forums/poultry/388569-how-loud-guinea-hens-really.html

Check out the video.

 

[H6Tjadeb]

Thank you ill check that out. Also we have a Rhode Island Red hen that we have had for years. the quineas grew up with her. Well we got new chicks and we put them outside with the hen and guineas. the quineas kinda bullied them so we let them out. after a while they started to go up to the fence and peck the red hen they would peck at each other the hen and quineas. We decided that the chickens were old enough so we let the quineas back in. first thing one of them did was go up to the hen and ATTACK her. They both got into a HUGE fight. We dont know what brought on this sudden hostility. Does any one have any idea why this happened?

 

[PeepsCA]

Thank you ill check that out. Also we have a Rhode Island Red hen that we have had for years. the quineas grew up with her. Well we got new chicks and we put them outside with the hen and guineas. the quineas kinda bullied them so we let them out. after a while they started to go up to the fence and peck the red hen they would peck at each other the hen and quineas. We decided that the chickens were old enough so we let the quineas back in. first thing one of them did was go up to the hen and ATTACK her. They both got into a HUGE fight. We dont know what brought on this sudden hostility. Does any one have any idea why this happened?

Your Guineas may have a nest nearby and that may be why they start going off (if you come within close proximity of it they think they are guarding it). You might want to check around for a hidden pile of eggs. I get screamed at a lot during laying season

.

Right now (Spring thru Fall) is breeding/laying season for the Guineas, so their hormones are raging and their aggressive and territorial behavior will be at its peak. How many Guineas do you have? If you only have a couple that can be a huge part of the problem with the aggression being directed towards your chickens. RIRs are a common target for Guineas... I don't know if it's their body language or their color, but theres a lot of people on here posting about Guineas and RIRs not getting along, even if they've grown up together.

 

[H6Tjadeb]

Only have two quineas but they walk around everywhere. they talk all the time. they have been like this ever since we got them which has been a looooooonnnnnnnngggggggggggg time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We started out with 20 and ended up with two. So I dont think its because of nesting but I rember that in the futer

 

[PeepsCA]

Oh I thought you meant they were screaming the alarm call all of the time... lol (some do, especially young birds). Guineas are talkative tho, especially the Hens who will buck-wheat all day long.

 

[H6Tjadeb]

hmmm mabye there both hens. How can you tell if there male or female??????

 

[PeepsCA]

Check youtube for videos of Guinea Fowl sounds... both sexes will scream the alarm call, but only the Hens make a specific 2-syllable call that sounds like buck-wheat, puh-track, or even butt-crack, lol. Males never make that call and are usually the ones standing up tall, acting aggressive/tough, and charging at other birds with their wings lifted up a little. There are other differences like a bustle (raised hump) at the back end area of the Hen, and sometimes wattle size can help clue you in, but the buck-wheat call is pretty fail proof. If you can pen them up, and then catch and separate them one at a time out of sight of each other a Hen will usually start buck-wheating right away (as soon as separation anxiety sets in).

 

[MiniHorses]

My guines hens -- this is my first little flock of them -- became extremely quiet once they began laying this spring. They do more chirping and a "cry" when they lay but, rarely a buck-wheat since laying started. Obviously this has quieted us all down a LOT. Mine stay in my area and since I have few disturbances/visitors here, they are pretty good.

I had to laugh as I watched them "attack" a mild mannered golden lab who occasionally wanders over..........she just stopped, stunned and watching. She laid down and left once they settled some. Quite a charge from those guys in their attempt to attack the "enemy" .

 

[H6Tjadeb]

Yea it was funny at first becaes ever since we got chickens hes been wanting to see a roaster fight. We didnt even have to try for this one all we did was let in in then BAM. It was crazy