Runt keet

[DukesDucks]

From my first batch of incubated guinea eggs, one has turned out to be a runt. Despite the fact it is active, eating, drinking and doing keet things, it is not getting any bigger. From my readings here, it sound like there is nothing else I can do as this is a genetic condition.

A second batch is hatching now. If I end up with another runt, how do I figure out which female is laying these eggs. I collect eggs daily but they just seem to leave them all over so I can't tell which female is responsible. Could this genetic condition be passed from one of the males?

 

[R2elk]

From my first batch of incubated guinea eggs, one has turned out to be a runt. Despite the fact it is active, eating, drinking and doing keet things, it is not getting any bigger. From my readings here, it sound like there is nothing else I can do as this is a genetic condition.

A second batch is hatching now. If I end up with another runt, how do I figure out which female is laying these eggs. I collect eggs daily but they just seem to leave them all over so I can't tell which female is responsible. Could this genetic condition be passed from one of the males?

It is a recessive trait that has to be carried by both a hen and a cock. Each parent contributes one of the "dwarfism" genes.

 

[DukesDucks]

Interesting info, thank you. How common is it. I'll be watching future hatchings to see how frequently this happens with my current flock. I don't know how I could ever tell which pairing have this gene. Would I need to replace all the males or females?

 

[R2elk]

Interesting info, thank you. How common is it. I'll be watching future hatchings to see how frequently this happens with my current flock. I don't know how I could ever tell which pairing have this gene. Would I need to replace all the males or females?

There is also the chance it is a one time mutation.

I don't think it is very common. If it were common, someone would have used them to create a dwarf line of guineas.

For some unknown reason people seem to really like smaller versions. An example are the bantam chickens. Mini horses and mini cattle come to mind as well toy dogs.

Unless it starts cropping up frequently, I would not be concerned about it.

 

[DukesDucks]

Thanks for the reassurance. Not sure what to do with it. I know what I should do but it is so darn cute. I confess to having a mni-horse. lol

 

[R2elk]

The easiest thing is to do nothing and let nature take its course.