Rooster and two male Guineas beating up hen

[The Kibble Goddess]

I have one rooster, 8 hens, and 2 male guineas. Yesterday I caught them all ganged up on one hen and pecking her severely. It seemed as if they were trying to kill her. She's in the hospital crate and I think she will be OK. She is the low chicken in the pecking order, but it makes no sense for them to try to kill her. If I put her back with the flock when she's healed, do you think this will just happen again?

 

[Yardmom]

Are your male guineas in the same coop as your chickens? Your fear of her having issues when placed back in is possible. Any time a chicken is removed and placed back in it can happen especially if there were issues to start with.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, you need to change something to get different results. It was not just a bad day, something is not working, and you will need to adjust the flock.

 

[The Kibble Goddess]

Are your male guineas in the same coop as your chickens? Your fear of her having issues when placed back in is possible. Any time a chicken is removed and placed back in it can happen especially if there were issues to start with.

Yes, they are. I think I'm going to try to put her in with a hide board, and see if that helps.

 

[KRack]

How old is your rooster?

 

[The Kibble Goddess]

Yes, you need to change something to get different results. It was not just a bad day, something is not working, and you will need to adjust the flock.

I'm considering rehoming one of the guineas. I like to have them as they eat bugs that the chickens don't. Last year I had only one and he was no trouble. This year I have two and they tend to gang up on the hens. Female guineas are too loud for me.

 

[The Kibble Goddess]

How old is your rooster?

At least 3, maybe 4 years old. Guineas are 2?

 

[KRack]

At least 3, maybe 4 years old. Guineas are 2?

So you can’t really blame hormones. I had a rooster attack a hen. I separated him for months, then reintroduced hoping time would have helped, but it didn’t. I ended up culling him. Hopefully you have better luck!

 

[Isadora]

Without any females to breed, your guinea cocks are going to be quite frustrated. I would suggest separating them from the chickens to different living quarters or rehoming them.
With the rooster, I'm wondering if he was attempting to mate the hen and then the guineas got into the mix and everything got chaotic?
In any case, once she's ok to be reintroduced I would watch carefully to make sure the rooster isn't singling her out to harm her.