Re: guinea questions...

From: Unicorn (SomeOne_at_Somewhere.net)
Date: 10/27/04 

Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 14:49:01 GMT

"Kepytan" <kepytan@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:F5vfd.10096$ta5.9816@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> We now have 4 new additions: guineas!! We plan to have them
free-range,
> which is how they were raised. Ive found lots of contradicting info,
> including that they wont hatch young by themselves. I know that this is
> untrue because the flock mine came from started as 8 a few years ago.
They
> then crossed with the neighbors' flock and now number about 30.
> Our flock consists of 2 almost full-grown and 2 half-grown. The 2
smallest
> still make almost peeping sounds.
>
> So my questions.
> How to tell male from female?
If you see two guineas running, the one at the back will be male.
Otherwise the girls call out Come Back Come Back ... The boys can't

  Most info says that the only way is the
> sound: 2 syllable is female. 1 is definately a female then; the other
of
> the same age has very large wattles. Is it possible that it is male?

You will hear that wattle size plays some part, you will also probably hear
the size of the horn implicated in sexing. My experience is that neither
are worth considering
>
> New homes. Some of the websites I found said that they will try to go
back
> to their old home. Is this true? How long should I keep them confined
> before releasing them.

Would suggest a month or more

Also, some info says to release 1 every couple days.
> Is this the best way or just let them all go at once?
Well, they are a flocking bird by instinct, letting them out one at a time
keeps the ones outside local to the rest of the flock, this should make them
more likely to identify the area as 'home range'. Having said that, if you
want them to roost inside then it is not the way to teach them not to roost
in trees

>
> Right now they are in the chicken coop and everyone is staying apart. Ive
> found info that says that male guineas will kill roosters so, having just
> saved Harold from his brothers, I want to make sure something wont happen
to
> him now.

Have not specifically seen cocks fighting in this scenario. Male Guineas
are VERY aggressive at mating and make life hell for everything that comes
within reach. They tend to more pick at other birds as they pass, or
quickly chase them around the yard.... I have not had any experience which
would suggest that they would actually fight, but they sure exhaust the fowl
in the yard with them

>
> Thanks for the help! My daughter is fascinated with them. My oldest,
> though, calls them "those noisy turkey things"

Noisy is hardly the word..........

>
> dainerra
>
>