Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[ms4runr]

That's what I thought. Sounding like too much trouble. Maybe I'll let some of them out after breeding season is over. I just don't know.

Agreed, concerning the hassle. My last flock lost the mom and 4 youngin's when about 4 mos old. The rest became like unruly juveniles, unwilling to come home to roost. I had to corral them at their 4pm natural feeding time as they made the loop back home. As I got down to 8, I culled 4, and left 4 with 2 females for this Spring. They are still 'wild'; hard to corral after out which I will not do but they escape ever so often. I use their favorite food to get them back in. After I get a new flock this summer I will cull the 'older' ones that have not learned to come home. They are so strong in developing habits that I'm not sure they can be broke of it.

 

[RavenWood]

If you have (adult) males from 2 different sources chances are they will fight, and the Hens may join in too... adult Guinea flocks usually are not very accepting of new additions without an introduction period. So if possible I'd house them side by side for at least several weeks to let them get used to each other first, but thru the protection of the wire separating them. With both groups being new, and in a new situation you may not have any issues (plus there only being 5 of them), their fear and stress of being re-homed may over ride their naturally aggressive/protective behavior and they may accept each other fine and stick close together for security. See how it goes, but be ready to separate everybody if you need to. Once they start fighting and blood is drawn it can continue to the death, or the worst injured bird can end up being cannibalized by the rest (both male and females Guineas are attracted to peck at blood/wounds).

They are yearling and almost yearling. The were in two separate crates in the car on the way home, I put them in together (didn't have a chance to read your post until now) and so far they seem ok. There were a couple pecks at each other, but they seemed fine after that. I'll keep a close eye on them though. My rooster wasn't too thrilled with them coming near his hens though.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

Do male guineas fight like roosters do? I am getting 5 guineas today, from 2 different sources, and have no idea how many are male/female. I'm hoping for a majority of females of course, but that is rarely the case! LOL

Yes - it's a little different behavior, but they do have their scuffles, especially this time of year. Usually doesn't get bloody.

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote:
I deal with the hassle for 2 main reasons; I need great fertility, and I need plenty of eggs. I've found out thru personal experience that penned Guineas fight too much, stress too much and aren't as productive as they are when they at least get out a few hours every day. Not to mention the eggs are better tasting and the keets are healthier if the breeding stock gets to free range for bugs, weeds/green, seeds etc to supplement their diet.

 

[PeepsCA]

They are yearling and almost yearling. The were in two separate crates in the car on the way home, I put them in together (didn't have a chance to read your post until now) and so far they seem ok. There were a couple pecks at each other, but they seemed fine after that. I'll keep a close eye on them though. My rooster wasn't too thrilled with them coming near his hens though.

You may not have any aggression issues then... with everybody being completely out of their element they aren't on the warpath, lol. Hope it stays that way for you/them.

Congrats, and post some pics when you get a chance.

 

[RavenWood]

You may not have any aggression issues then... with everybody being completely out of their element they aren't on the warpath, lol. Hope it stays that way for you/them.

Congrats, and post some pics when you get a chance.

Thank - I hope so too.

Not a good pic, but here are 4 of the 5. I have 3 pearl, 1 royal purple and 1 slate. The royal purple is missing from this pic.

 

[PeepsCA]

Not a good pic, but here are 4 of the 5. I have 3 pearl, 1 royal purple and 1 slate. The royal purple is missing from this pic.

Nice birds, they look healthy

The Pearl Grey with his head up is definitely a male, I clearly see the "cockiness" in his posture and expression, lol. Looks like the Slate standing up tall is bellowing out the buck-wheats in protest of the snow?

Hope you have at least one Hen so you can look fwd to finding eggs once all the snow is gone. If you do end up with all males you will still have effective pest control tho. Thanks for sharing and Congrats.

 

[RavenWood]

Nice birds, they look healthy The Pearl Grey with his head up is definitely a male, I clearly see the "cockiness" in his posture and expression, lol. Looks like the Slate standing up tall is bellowing out the buck-wheats in protest of the snow?

Hope you have at least one Hen so you can look fwd to finding eggs once all the snow is gone. If you do end up with all males you will still have effective pest control tho. Thanks for sharing and Congrats.

Thank you. I am pretty sure there is only 1 hen (the pearl in front of that pic) and the male that came with her (that you mentioned) is posturing and running after the other 3 (also presumed to be males) but doesn't seem to be harming them in any way. I'm really looking forward to trying to hatch a few eggs so that the other (unrelated) males will have some girls too! LOL All but one are making the chit chit chit warning calls. Here are a few more pics.

Smaller pearl (male) and royal purple (male?)



These three came together - pearl (male), royal purple (male in back) and slate (also male?)


This is definitely a female and I have witnessed her calling buck-wheat often.


Smaller pearl male


royal purple male (I think)


slate and royal purple


royal purple, pearl, slate


royal purple, pearl, slate - the slate one is quite a bit smaller than the others though it's hard to tell in this pic.


r/p, slate, pearl ...

 

[ms4runr]

I deal with the hassle for 2 main reasons; I need great fertility, and I need plenty of eggs. I've found out thru personal experience that penned Guineas fight too much, stress too much and aren't as productive as they are when they at least get out a few hours every day. Not to mention the eggs are better tasting and the keets are healthier if the breeding stock gets to free range for bugs, weeds/green, seeds etc to supplement their diet.

The hassle I was refering to was the retraining of grown birds. I would not want guineas that have to remain caged all day. I like to watch them, they eat ticks, and of course have a better diet and eat less store bought food. I have mine in now because the few I have left are getting killed. They did not have enough time with a good flock to teach them to come home. As noted elsewhere, it's better to start over.

 

[PeepsCA]

Here are a few more pics.

Your smaller Pearl Grey male and the Slate could be younger birds, which would account for the size difference. Looks like their casques are both a little less developed than the other birds' (which can be an indication of age). I'd say you are mostly correct on your gender guesses, but from what I see the Slate could go either way... young male or a Hen. Maybe try separating it to where it can't see the rest of the Guineas (or you) and see if it buck-wheats to the others. Hens will start usually singing right away from the separation anxiety. Great pics