Do Guineas mate for life?

[Chickens14]

I just read somewhere that they mate for life. So if true..... then you are not looking to make a flock of guineas like chickens... you would want to try to have pairs? Yes?

Thankyou ~~Jen~~

 

[houndit]

I have had pairs and larger groups. I have never heard of them mating for life. That is kind of interesting. I ought to watch closer. I have never seen anything to make me think they do but you never know.

 

[thechickenchick]

Hi Jen

I am new to Guineas so I can't tell you for sure. However I have been doing some reading and I believe they do pick one hen to be their mate. If something happens to that hen they maybe, later on, they choose another. I have a friend though that swears when her G hen was killed by a dog her G roo died of a broken heart

I did read too that unlike chickens you can have more roos than hens and there isn't the problem there is with chickens. (over mating and such)

I hope this helps a little. Hopefully some one with some more knowledge will come along.

 

[houndit]

Quote:
It is true you can have more cocks. I know with my ducks, if you have to many drakes they really harass the females. You can have a couple guinea hens with a lot of guinea cocks and there is no problem. Last year I had a cock with two hens and all the eggs seemed fertile.

 

[BetsyOK]

I've raised guineas about 15 years, and have many friends who also raise them. They very RARELY mate for life. Often you'll have a few pair off for the season, or part of the season, but it may be different pairs the next year. The alpha male will usually claim several as his, and sometimes all the hens, leaving the rest of the males out in the cold. They'll jocky for position off and on (the "chase" is entertaining), and the Alpha doesn't always remain so. This year, my bottom male has become Alpha. He's the youngest in the main flock, so that's probably why. He has both the hens in his small flock of 5. The youngsters haven't completely sorted out yet.