Guinea fowl are interesting birds to keep, and they are not hard to sex. However, many people have trouble telling the difference between male and female guinea fowl because their plumage is so similar. This blog post will tell you how to sex guinea fowl!
The problem with most birds is that it’s difficult to tell the difference between males and females.
In this article I’ll show you how easy it is to identify the sexes of these beautiful birds by using some simple techniques!
Sexing a Day Old Guinea Fowls
Using stretched leg technique you can sex a day old guinea fowls.
If you grab the bird from above, and you see that the legs are hanging down, it’s a female, if the legs are not-stretched it’s a male.
This technique works better in sexing turkey poults, a day old guinea fowl are difficult to sex, and waiting until your birds are 8 weeks old will give you a better idea of whether they are male or female.
Day-old guinea fowls are adorable and delicate creatures, and while their gender may not be immediately apparent, there are certain characteristics that experienced poultry enthusiasts and farmers can look for to determine their sex. Although sexing guinea fowls at such a young age can be challenging due to their minimal physical differences, there are some subtle cues that can offer insights into whether you have a male or female hatchling.
1. Feather Patterns: One of the primary indicators that can help in sexing day-old guinea fowls is their feather pattern. Males and females may exhibit slightly different feather growth patterns on their wings. In some cases, male guinea fowls may have slightly more prominent wing feathers compared to females. However, it’s essential to remember that these differences can be subtle and not always foolproof.
2. Keel Development: The keel, a bony structure beneath the breastbone, can sometimes be more pronounced in male guinea fowls. This subtle difference can be noticed by gently running your finger along the breastbone area. While this method requires careful observation, it can provide a clue to the gender of the hatchling.
3. Behavior and Activity Levels: While not a definitive method, observing the behavior and activity levels of day-old guinea fowls can offer some hints about their gender. In some cases, male hatchlings might exhibit slightly more active and adventurous behavior compared to females. However, this difference can be subtle and influenced by various factors.
4. Vocalizations (With Caution): Some poultry enthusiasts claim to hear differences in vocalizations even at a young age, but this method should be approached with caution. Day-old guinea fowls may not exhibit significant vocal differences, and this method requires a trained ear and experience to be accurate.
5. Expert Insight: If you’re determined to accurately sex day-old guinea fowls, seeking the expertise of experienced breeders or poultry professionals can be invaluable. Their trained eye and familiarity with the species can offer a more accurate assessment.
Challenges and Considerations: Sexing day-old guinea fowls is not foolproof and can be particularly challenging due to their minimal physical differences. Some variations in feather growth, behavior, or even early vocalizations might provide subtle hints, but they are not always conclusive.
Sexing Guinea Fowl By Wattles
When Guinea fowls are 4 months old, the males have cupped wattles that are at 90 degree angle to the side of their upper jaw.
Females have flat wattles that attach to their upper jaw.
If your guinea fowl are still very young (e.g., < 4 months old), then this method won’t work for identifying males/females.
However, once the birds are around 4 months old, this and all of the bellow methods should be reliable!
Understanding Wattles: Wattles are small, fleshy appendages that hang down from the head and neck region of guinea fowls. While both male and female guinea fowls have wattles, there are noticeable differences in size and appearance between the sexes.
Male Guinea Fowls: Male guinea fowls typically have larger and more prominent wattles compared to females. Their wattles are often well-developed, displaying a more robust and elongated appearance. The color of the wattles can vary but is usually bright and vibrant.
Female Guinea Fowls: Female guinea fowls, on the other hand, tend to have smaller and less pronounced wattles. Their wattles are generally shorter and less developed than those of males. The color of female wattles can also be vibrant, but the size difference is a key factor in distinguishing them from males.
Observation and Patience: Sexing guinea fowls by wattles requires keen observation and patience. As guinea fowls mature, the differences in wattle size become more apparent. It’s advisable to observe your birds regularly and note any changes in their wattles over time.
Age Considerations: While wattles can be a reliable indicator, it’s important to note that young guinea fowls may not exhibit the same level of sexual dimorphism as adults. Juveniles might have less developed wattles, making sexing by wattles more challenging until they mature.
Male Vs Female Guinea Fowl: Sexing by the Helmet Thickness
The helmets can be seen to grow with age, so this is another way to tell the difference between male and female guinea fowl.
The helmet of a male guinea fowl is larger than the helmet on a female. Female Guinea fowls have a short, narrow helmet.
The Helmet: A Gender Indicator: The helmet, often referred to as the casque, is a prominent feature on the head of guinea fowls. This bony protuberance serves a variety of functions, including protection and visual communication. However, it is also a reliable indicator of gender when carefully observed.
Male Guinea Fowls: Male guinea fowls typically exhibit larger and more pronounced helmets compared to their female counterparts. The helmet of a male guinea fowl appears robust, protruding, and often rounded in shape. This thickness and distinctiveness become more evident as males mature, making it a valuable trait to identify them.
Female Guinea Fowls: On the other hand, female guinea fowls tend to have smaller and less pronounced helmets. Their helmets are generally flatter in comparison to the more elevated helmets of males. This subtle difference in size and shape can help in distinguishing them from males, especially as they grow and develop.
Observation and Patience: Sexing guinea fowls by helmet thickness requires close observation and patience. As guinea fowls age, the distinctions in helmet size become more apparent. It’s advisable to monitor your birds over time, allowing you to witness the changes in the helmet’s structure.
Other Considerations: While helmet thickness is a reliable indicator, it’s important to note that there can be variations among individual guinea fowls. Some males may exhibit helmets that are slightly less prominent, and some females may have helmets that appear slightly more elevated. Additionally, sexing juvenile guinea fowls based solely on helmet thickness can be challenging, as their features may not be fully developed.
Expertise and Experience: As with any method of sexing, becoming proficient at identifying guinea fowl genders through helmet thickness requires expertise and experience. Some seasoned poultry keepers, breeders, and veterinarians have developed the ability to accurately sex guinea fowls by observing subtle differences in their physical traits.
Complementary Methods: While observing helmet thickness is a valuable method, it’s recommended to combine this technique with other cues for more accurate sexing. These cues can include behavioral differences, vocalizations, and overall body size.
Sexing Guinea Fowls by Sound
The easiest way to tell the difference between males and females is by listening the sound they make.
There was even a study done to determine how to distinguish between male and female guinea fowl calls.
The study was made at the Faculty of Agriculture in Ghana.
It was observed that males make a sound like “kir ke ke ke ke” but females made a different sound like “chekwen chekwen” as reported in 2013. Another observation from 2015 supported this study.
The Vocal Repertoire: Guinea fowls are known for their vocal nature. They communicate through a range of calls, each serving a specific purpose. Understanding the variations in their vocalizations can provide subtle hints about their sex.
Differentiating Male and Female Calls: Male and female guinea fowls have distinct calls that can be identified with attentive listening. However, keep in mind that guinea fowl calls can vary based on factors like age, environmental conditions, and individual personality. Here’s a general overview of their vocalizations:
1. Male Calls:
- Loud Calling: Male guinea fowls are often more vocal and emit loud, far-reaching calls. These calls are designed to establish territory, communicate with other males, and attract females.
- Whistling: Males may produce a whistling sound that is higher-pitched and more piercing. This call is often part of their courtship behavior.
2. Female Calls:
- Quieter Chatter: Female guinea fowls tend to have a softer and quieter chatter compared to the loud calls of males. Their vocalizations are often characterized by a series of shorter, more rapid sounds.
- Nesting Clucks: When females are nesting or brooding, they may emit soft clucks as a way of communicating with their eggs or chicks.
3. Alarm Calls:
- Both male and female guinea fowls contribute to alarm calls. These calls are sharp and intense, alerting the flock to potential threats or danger. Alarm calls are usually short and repeated multiple times.
Using Vocal Clues for Sexing: While using vocal cues to sex guinea fowls can be intriguing, it’s important to approach this method with caution. The variations in calls can be subtle, and they may not always provide definitive evidence of a bird’s gender. Additionally, individual guinea fowls may have unique vocal patterns that deviate from the general norms.
Advantages and Limitations: Using vocalizations to sex guinea fowls can be advantageous in situations where physical examination or behavioral observation is challenging. It can also be a valuable tool for enthusiasts who have developed a keen ear for the subtle differences in guinea fowl calls. However, relying solely on vocal cues may not provide absolute certainty, especially with variations caused by environmental factors.
Experience and Familiarity: Becoming proficient at sexing guinea fowls by sound requires experience and familiarity with the species. As you spend time observing and listening to your flock, you’ll likely start to recognize patterns in their vocalizations and gain insights into their gender composition.
Vent Sexing Guinea Fowls
Vent sexing male and female guinea fowl is a common way to determine the sexes in poultry. This method can be done by using a magnifying glass.
In poultry, vent sexing (also called cloacal sexing) involves holding your hand gently around the bird’s body so that the vent, or urogenital opening, is exposed.
Expose the cloacal area by gently holding each side of the bird’s body. You’ll notice that male guinea fowls have a bump (this is their p*nis) while females have none at four weeks of age.
This is not something easily seen though with novice keepers, so I would recommend only trying this after vent sexing ducklings for example.
You cannot sex guinea fowl by plumage, they look very similar, and you will have to look at a few other things, in order to distinguish the sexes.
The Importance of Sexing: Knowing the sex of your guinea fowl is essential for several reasons. If you’re raising them for breeding purposes, identifying males and females ensures that you can select compatible pairs for reproduction. On the other hand, if your goal is to raise guinea fowl primarily for pest control, identifying males and females allows you to manage the flock’s composition effectively.
Differences Between Sexes: Distinguishing between male and female guinea fowl involves examining both physical characteristics and behavioral patterns.
- Physical Traits:
- Helmet: One of the most reliable indicators is the size and shape of the helmet, which is the bony knob atop the head. In males, the helmet is larger and more pronounced than in females. It’s also typically more rounded in shape.
- Spurs: Males tend to develop prominent spurs on the back of their legs, which are used for defense and during mating displays. These spurs are less developed or absent in females.
- Size and Body Shape: In general, male guinea fowl are larger and more robust than females. This size difference becomes more noticeable as they mature.
- Behavioral Patterns:
- Calling and Display: Males often exhibit more vocal behavior, including loud calling and displaying their feathers to attract females. They may also strut and perform courtship dances to woo potential mates.
- Territorial Behavior: Males can be more territorial and protective of their space. They may engage in aggressive behaviors to establish dominance.
- Nesting Behavior: Female guinea fowl are more likely to display nesting behaviors, including scratching the ground and creating nesting sites.
Observation and Patience: Sexing guinea fowl requires keen observation and patience. As guinea fowl mature, their distinct traits become more apparent. It’s recommended to observe your birds over time and note any changes in behavior, size, and physical characteristics.
Expertise and Experience: For those who are new to guinea fowl or poultry keeping, sexing can be challenging. Some experienced breeders and veterinarians have developed the skill to accurately sex guinea fowl based on subtle cues. Seeking guidance from experts or connecting with local poultry associations can provide valuable insights and training in poultry identification techniques.
Limitations and Challenges: It’s important to acknowledge that sexing guinea fowl is not always foolproof. Individual variations can occur, and some physical traits may not be fully developed until the birds are older. Additionally, distinguishing sex in juvenile guinea fowl can be more challenging due to their less pronounced characteristics.
Professional Assistance: For those who require certainty in sexing guinea fowl, professional assistance may be the best route. Some breeders and veterinarians offer sexing services, which involve using specialized equipment or techniques to accurately determine the sex of the birds.
In conclusion, sexing guinea fowl is a skill that involves both art and science. Through careful observation of physical traits and behavioral patterns, poultry enthusiasts and farmers can successfully determine the sex of their guinea fowl. While it may take time and experience to become proficient, the ability to identify males and females is essential for effective flock management and successful breeding endeavors. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned poultry keeper, learning the art of sexing guinea fowl adds another layer of understanding and connection to these fascinating and valuable birds.
Conclusion
It seems like there are many methods for determining the sex of guinea fowl.
A day old male and female guinea fowls are very difficult to sex, but there are several excellent methods for determining the difference.
I have presented some great ways to separate males and females of this type of poultry!
The problem is that it can be hard just by looking at them, which is why we need to know how to determine their sex.
There are several techniques you can use when trying to determine the difference between a male and female guinea fowl.
These include stretching the legs or examining the wattles or helmet thickness.
I think that the easiest way to determine the difference between a male and female guinea fowl is by listening for their sound.
