Pecking order??

[karensc]

Hi RobertH,

I noticed that tonight there was a lot of pecking going on. Was Teddy telling Tara that he is the boss or what? I never saw this go on before and it has me upset.

any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Karen

 

[Chickie-chan]

Could you tell me who Teddy and Tara are? I might be able to help.

 

[karensc]

Teddy is my 3 yr old male guinea and Tara is his new girl guinea and she is 4 months old. They get along great, I just think he wanted the inside of the perch and Tara was there. I sat there for awhile and he settled down, but he has the inside now. Silly birds!!!

 

[Chickie-chan]

I don't have guineas, but even watching my chickens, make me laugh!

 

[karensc]

Teddy is still pecking at Tara but just at night when they are on the perch. I don't think he is hurting her because she is not moving and I think he is just pecking at her feathers. I just checked on them and they are on seperate perches now but that can change. Please help me get thru this pecking order thing. It is upsetting me. Even sometimes he will chase her when she is trying to eat. She does get to eat but not alot at one time. That is upsetting also. I hope I don't have a bully here.

karen

 

[PeepsCA]

Actually Karen what you are dealing with is integration, not so much pecking order... the most recommended method I have seen for integrating new birds is to house the birds side by side, separated by wire for up to 6 weeks (doesn't always take that long tho). This is so that they can get used to being around each other gradually, but can't pick on each other. Teddy's territorial of his established home/space, and having just lost Timmy not that long ago he's not yet accepting of a new coop-mate/girlfriend. You can either let them work it out (but keep an eye on Tara for any wounds/injuries, signs of too much stress etc), or figure out how to wire off an area (or use a large wire dog crate) for Tara to be in alone until you see Teddy being nicer to her. You may be able to get away with just using that area for her at night since that's when he seems to be picking on her the most. I'd definitely make sure Tara is not overly stressed and is getting plenty to eat and drink tho. If he is bullying her away from the feeder or waterer then you probably need to separate them asap.

 

[karensc]

Hi Peeps, I didn't think I had to seperate a male and female but maybe I do. I hate to do it now but I guess I will have to. Later last night I went to check on them and they were on the same perch again. They have been since I got her a week ago. today it is a little cool out and they are spending most of the day inside--both of them. They venture out sometimes but inside most of the time. It is only at night but he does chase her from the lettuce I give them as a treat. She does eat and drink but I think she goes behind him, but then again I have seen them both eating at then same time. This is puzzling to me now. I guess I just do not understand them yet. They do not fight ever and do not bark at each other. Teddy is just getting moody at times.

 

[karensc]

Also, how do I tell if Tara is stressed? She seems happy and tweeting all the time.

 

[PeepsCA]

Ok maybe it's not as bad for her as I had read it to be... as long as she is eating, drinking, roosting and not suffering any wounds/injuries, she's probably doing fine, given the new situation. Maybe if you had waited a while onger he'd have been more lonely, and more accepting of another bird... but who knows. (I would have gotten my single/lone bird a new friend asap too, can't blame you at all for that!). It will just take Teddy some time to get over his meanness/grumpiness and appreciate a new companion. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't go thru another loss because of something easily overlooked (if you don't know what to watch for). If he is not pecking her to the point of blood, or keeping her from food and water then I wouldn't stress over it too much. Just spend time with them when you can to see how they are getting along, and scold him when he is mean to her. I'll betcha he will be more than obsessed with her by Spring, lol.,

We'd love to see pics if you can figure out the BYC upload option...

 

[karensc]

Yes Peeps, Thank you for for your reply. No there is no blood and he is actually pecking at her wing feathers and tail feathers. Not her head. Otherwise yes she is eating and drinking and they went inside by themselves tonight and they are on the same perch. I have 3 perches in the pen so Tara can have her choice but she roosts with Teddy. I think it is getting better every day that I see them. He did protect her from the lawn tractor one day. Hubby was cutting the grass and from their level it looks as though there is something coming at them (headlights on the tractor) he ran toward her and chased her in to protect her from the tractor. Then when Joe left he let her come back out. So he is watching her. Joe told me that Teddy used to peck at Timmi once in a while also, but I never saw him do that. I think I am stressing more than the birds are. LOL I think they will work it out also. They were eating out of the same dish tonight at the same time. So it is very sporatic that he chases her away, but I guess she is low bird on the totem pole.