Re: Guinea Flock Dynamics

From: Medusa (medusa_at_nowhere.com)
Date: 10/17/04 

Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 17:20:23 -0400

  Jill. wrote:

> Medusa wrote:
>
>>How do I go about introducing a few new young guineas to my already
>>established, male heavy, flock? I need to add more females but when
>>young, I can't tell what sex they are until they get bigger. I need to
>>figure this out because as we collect and incubate eggs next spring,
>>we will want to add them back into the flock.
>
>
> What are the current flock dynamics?
A few dominant males chase smaller males and females around
> How many birds and how many of each?
currently 7 males and 3 females (started with a 1-1 ratio but we live in
the woods, 'nuff said)
> What sort of facilities do you have?
A brooding box can hold about 20 until they are 6-8 weeks old, large
10x20 "dog pen" with wire top after that
> How much space ?
see above
> Are they penned or free ranging?
main flock is free range
> How many houses ?
we are building a new "luxury" poultry house for guineas, our 2 peacocks
which will stay penned, and some future chickens. Guineas do not
currently use a house but we hope to train some new ones in the future
> How many birds will you be adding?
We hope to cull some eggs for hatching, maybe 20 or so but they probaby
won't all hatch. We started with a flock of 21, gave 4 away and lost 8
through attrition/looking for greener pastures.
> Where will they be reared in relation to the adults?
In the brooder box, then the "dog pen" until large enough to fend for
themselves.
>
I am open to suggestions. We saved a few eggs from a nest that a skunk
destroyed but only four hatched and when mixing them with the current
flock at about 8 weeks, the males ran two off, pecked one to death and
something got another one. Sigh. I'm learning. Please don't beat me.

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