Guinea Sounds

[JLeigh]

One of my females is making a sound I've not heard before - it's sort of a low-pitched, one-note honking sound, very short and she makes it often, right after the group alarm call usually. I'm just wondering what it might mean. I asked her, but she refused to answer .

Also, I have another female who makes the 2-syllable call, but with a "trill" in the middle. It's very pretty...does anyone else have a female who does this? Just curious.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

One of my females is making a sound I've not heard before - it's sort of a low-pitched, one-note honking sound, very short and she makes it often, right after the group alarm call usually. I'm just wondering what it might mean. I asked her, but she refused to answer .

Also, I have another female who makes the 2-syllable call, but with a "trill" in the middle. It's very pretty...does anyone else have a female who does this? Just curious.

I'm already not likin' the sound of this (the sound .. get it? ~'-)

I'm splittin' up my flock, keepin' some w/ the chickens, and the others in the wild. I thought I only had one male, 'til I herded a handful into their new home (located w/in their current run, and facing the window filled w/ the rest).

Of course, there's been many alarms. And, previously unheard chatter. But, a few began the male call from a few of 'em shortly after the removed male stopped. Softly at first, and more assertively as the evening progressed. I'm *hoping* these are male calls, and not some odd notes from the females, tryin' to get the male to return?

What I was guessing is that, once the dominant male was removed, the subordinate males found enough courage to speak up. And, then I found your post ...

Back to worryin' all over again ~'-)

 

[JLeigh]

Cowcreek, all four of my females were separated individually, and after about 2 or 3 minutes, they called out their two-syllable call. One held out for about 5 minutes, the little rascal - - it was a long five minutes. She sounded the male call for four of those minutes, too! Anyway, I'm sure that I have four females. I was just curious about what that soft, low-key one-syllable honk coming from my noisiest female might mean.

If you can separate yours out individually, you'll be able to tell pretty quickly who's male and who's female. When they're alone, they get stressed and call out. But that's only if you have the time to wait...the quiet guineas take longer to get worked up in my experience.

You probably have the males you want. The females would probably have made the 2 syllable call by now, looking for the male, but with the females able to make all male calls, it's hard to tell. But I think a female would make the female call trying to get the attention of males. I would .

Peeps is the one who told me about separating them, and it works. She also told me that you can put a zip tie loosely around each one's leg to indicate male/female, but I have too few to do that since I can tell who's who. But unless you're building a flock for hatching specific colors, it doesn't really matter in my opinion. They're all good. .

 

[PeepsCA]

IMO... there really is no "male call" pertaining to Guineas... because both sexes can/will make all the same sounds, calls, trills, alarm call etc except for the Buck-wheating. Buck-wheating, the 2 syllable call is the only sound the Hens will make that the males won't. So really there is a female specific call, but not a male specific call.

JLeigh... several of my young Hens over the years have been a little off-key when they first find their voices and start the manic non-stop Buck-wheating... (or they start going hoarse from Buck-wheating SO much, lol). Some squeak, some honk, some get the wheat part out before the buck part, lol, and some only get out one syllable... etc. By the time they mature they all sound basically the same tho, and most of the time my Hens all Buck-wheat in unison, driving me bonkers (60+ Hens)

 

[JLeigh]

IMO... there really is no "male call" pertaining to Guineas... because both sexes can/will make all the same sounds, calls, trills, alarm call etc except for the Buck-wheating. Buck-wheating, the 2 syllable call is the only sound the Hens will make that the males won't. So really there is a female specific call, but not a male specific call.

JLeigh... several of my young Hens over the years have been a little off-key when they first find their voices and start the manic non-stop Buck-wheating... (or they start going hoarse from Buck-wheating SO much, lol). Some squeak, some honk, some get the wheat part out before the buck part, lol, and some only get out one syllable... etc. By the time they mature they all sound basically the same tho, and most of the time my Hens all Buck-wheat in unison, driving me bonkers (60+ Hens)

I think you're right, Peeps, but everything I've read says that "the male makes the "chi-chi-chi" sound and females the "buck wheat"". Then they go on to say "but the female can make the 'chi-chi'..." just the way I've been explaining it. Your way of explaining makes more sense and is more logical - I'll use it. Sometimes I have half a brain - on good days.

The female who makes the trill sound in the middle of her buck-wheat is very pleasing to me. It's sort of a "buck---trill-trill-trill-trill-WHEAT." Very "feminine" considering their voices. Since I only have six guineas now, when they all crank up I think it's great, and nothing like what you must hear, but I'm still envious of your flocks. Sigh.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

Cowcreek, all four of my females were separated individually, and after about 2 or 3 minutes, they called out their two-syllable call. One held out for about 5 minutes, the little rascal - - it was a long five minutes. She sounded the male call for four of those minutes, too! Anyway, I'm sure that I have four females. I was just curious about what that soft, low-key one-syllable honk coming from my noisiest female might mean.

If you can separate yours out individually, you'll be able to tell pretty quickly who's male and who's female. When they're alone, they get stressed and call out. But that's only if you have the time to wait...the quiet guineas take longer to get worked up in my experience.

You probably have the males you want. The females would probably have made the 2 syllable call by now, looking for the male, but with the females able to make all male calls, it's hard to tell. But I think a female would make the female call trying to get the attention of males. I would .

Peeps is the one who told me about separating them, and it works. She also told me that you can put a zip tie loosely around each one's leg to indicate male/female, but I have too few to do that since I can tell who's who. But unless you're building a flock for hatching specific colors, it doesn't really matter in my opinion. They're all good. .

IMO... there really is no "male call" pertaining to Guineas... because both sexes can/will make all the same sounds, calls, trills, alarm call etc except for the Buck-wheating. Buck-wheating, the 2 syllable call is the only sound the Hens will make that the males won't. So really there is a female specific call, but not a male specific call.

JLeigh... several of my young Hens over the years have been a little off-key when they first find their voices and start the manic non-stop Buck-wheating... (or they start going hoarse from Buck-wheating SO much, lol). Some squeak, some honk, some get the wheat part out before the buck part, lol, and some only get out one syllable... etc. By the time they mature they all sound basically the same tho, and most of the time my Hens all Buck-wheat in unison, driving me bonkers (60+ Hens)

I was feeling a bit vindicated, as I'd already begun doin' that ... and, then? I felt down-right stupid, when learning that what I thought to be the females may in fact be male. And, although I'm a bit embarrassed by making this error, at least it was w/ guineas, rather than humans ~'-)

I'll start on correctly identifying them better, possibly beginning tonight. Thanks for the excellent input, folks ...

 

[PeepsCA]

CCG... when ya catch a bird and separate it, make sure it's out of sight but within earshot of the other birds. If you stand there watching the bird, waiting for it to give up it's gender... it usually won't Buck-wheat. So grab a chair and be sure to sit out of sight of the bird. Ever hear of beer sexing? You can integrate that method with the separation method if you wish. (You can look that up over in the Quail forum section if you don't know what beer sexing is, lol). I wouldn't try beer sexing humans if I were you tho... lol.

 

[frigginchi]

Here are some of mine making noise.

 

[JLeigh]

CCG... when ya catch a bird and separate it, make sure it's out of sight but within earshot of the other birds. If you stand there watching the bird, waiting for it to give up it's gender... it usually won't Buck-wheat. So grab a chair and be sure to sit out of sight of the bird. Ever hear of beer sexing? You can integrate that method with the separation method if you wish. (You can look that up over in the Quail forum section if you don't know what beer sexing is, lol). I wouldn't try beer sexing humans if I were you tho... lol.

Well you know we're all going to go over to the Quail forum for detailed instructions on how to beer-sex. .

 

[JLeigh]

Cool flock frigginchi. I love the way guineas run each other all over the place, making all kinds of noise. Thanks for the video.