Male or Female Guineas?

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Hi! I have searched the archives and have not found an answer to my question, so here goes. We currently have chickens (hens and roosters) and can easily tell the difference (duh!). A lady in a nearby community is getting rid of her husband's guineas (He died last month and she doesn't have time for them). Her husband raised the guineas from chicks (purchased straight run)and she doesn't know which are male/female. They ALL look exactly alike. I don't see any distinguishing (sp) marks. Looking at all of these birds, I cannot tell which are hens! I would like to get a couple of hens and one male. How can I tell which is which?! They all look alike and I am certain that in a straight run they didn't end up with all females (some have just started laying). Anyone experienced with guineas know how I can tell them apart? I appreciate all of your help!! Lisa B.

-- Lisa B. (j5diecast@aol.com), May 08, 2002

Answers

The females make a two syllable sound and the males don't. Some people describe the sound as "buck wheat". The males also have slightly larger wattles. When you get them home, don't let them out all at once, they will take off. Let one out at a time so it will keep coming back to the others to eat and drink. In three or so days you can let another out, keep this up til they are all free ranging and returning to the coop to eat and drink. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in ok (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), May 08, 2002.

I've raised guineas for along time and this is not foolproof but almost all of the time the male guinea's waddles will flare out and the female's waddles will be flat against her checks. This is hard to explain without actually showing you the difference. I would not let the guineas out for a month. It's been my experience that it will take them atleast that long to realize that this is their new home. Especially if they are grown guineas.

-- Jodie in TX (stanchnmotion@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

To confuse you a bit more -G-.... I had a small flock of 20 guineas. I could not tell the difference between their screams. They claim the females have a 2 syllable call and the male a one syllable call. Like I said, I couldn't tell the difference. I know I had both sexes, 'cause they laid eggs and hatched keets!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

Jodie, you are exactly right! The waddles on the males do stick out more or are "puffier" than the females. From my experience, I also noticed that the males are louder and sound the alarm first before the females when an intruder is in the yard. :-)

-- Cheri in NY (t.asprion@worldnet.att.net), May 09, 2002.

try http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/sexing and for tons of info On guineas try WWW.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/ Vince

-- Vince (USjersey2002@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.


Guinea women will imitate the male call too. But they are the only one that makes the "Come Back" call. Or "Buck Wheat" or whatever. I love guineas. They are clowns (and can be quite vicious when "correcting" a chicken for whatever it did wrong...

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), May 09, 2002.

The last issue of C&SSJ had an article that described the difference in appearance very well.

Gailann, I too think they are wonderful. I once witnessed two guineas "refereeing" a chicken fight. One was on each side of the fighters and would move in and out and around with them. They never got involved, just moved closely with the fighters like two referees at a boxing match.

-- Robin Downing (Southpawrobin1@aol.com), May 10, 2002.


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