Young guineas fighting and bloody!

[Nash37212]

I just discovered 2 of my young guineas (7.5 weeks) fighting and bloody. They were pecking at each other and both of their faces are messed up. What should I do?? Their shed is 49sq ft for 10 of them, all raised together. I’ve had no problems so far. They’ve been outside all day so I can’t see how it can be overcrowding. Should I get rid of the more aggressive one? Help!

 

[hysop]

I once had a flock of 18 and one day I found one dead. They were also about a month or two old. It was definitely a murder within themselves and not a predator.

Mine may have been an overcrowding issue though. But they stay so close no matter how much room you give them I have since learned my lesson and the 6 remaining out of that large flock now free range all day and do well together. All males.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I just discovered 2 of my young guineas (7.5 weeks) fighting and bloody. They were pecking at each other and both of their faces are messed up. What should I do?? Their shed is 49sq ft for 10 of them, all raised together. I’ve had no problems so far. They’ve been outside all day so I can’t see how it can be overcrowding. Should I get rid of the more aggressive one? Help!

Our guineas are quarrelsome birds. Ours also went through some battles at about 6 weeks that resulted in some wounds and scabs, but then they worked out their pecking order and calmed down. The males had some bizarre running battles as adults too. I have read stories on this forum of guineas killing their flockmate. I don’t know how common that is, but I really worry about it, since I forced two groups to merge and o lock them up for part of the day. I hope that your juveniles work things out and stop fighting!

 

[Nash37212]

I’m glad to know this isn’t totally out of character. It was crazy the way they were trying to rip each other’s faces off! I put them back together and all has been normal. Pecking order is no joke I guess!