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Guinea fowls are becoming increasingly popular. Not only is their meat tender and flavorful, but guinea fowls also protect the farm flock from predators, serve as pest control, and can even reduce the deer tick population that is responsible for Lyme disease. Whether you have just one or several guinea fowls, it will be important for you to tell the different between the males and females.
Steps
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Wait until the guinea fowls are older. The sex of a guinea fowl can be determined most reliably by its vocalizations. Guinea fowls do not begin to vocalize until they are about 8 weeks old. [1] X Research source If you have young guinea fowls, known as keets, wait until they are around 2 months old before listening for their vocalizations.
- Female guinea fowls may not start vocalizing until much later in life, so you may have to wait even longer to determine the sex of your guinea fowls.
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Listen for the call of a male guinea fowl. Male guinea fowls make a 1-syllable call that sounds like ‘chek.’ [2] X Research source The male’s vocalization will either be a chirp or a yelp repeated at varying intervals. [3] X Research source The vocalization has also been compared to the sound of a machine gun. [4] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Listen for the call for a female guinea fowl. This is where things can get a little tricky, since female guinea fowls also make the 1-syllable ‘chek’ sound. However, females also make a 2-syllable call that can sound like a variety of words, like ‘buckwheat,’ ‘put-rock,’ or ‘qua-track.’ Typically, the first syllable will be short and the second syllable will be longer and rising in tone. [5] X Research source
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Observe the wattles. Wattles are flaps of skin that hang from a bird’s head or neck. Although male and female guinea fowls look very similar, it is possible to tell the sex by looking at the wattles. In adult male guinea fowls, the wattle is usually large, elongated, and folds upward toward the upper jaw. A female guinea fowl’s wattle will look fairly flat.
- The female guinea fowl’s wattle is usually smaller than that of a male guinea fowl. [6] X Research source
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Look at the size of the helmet. A guinea fowl’s helmet, also known as a casque, is a prominent horn-like structure on the top of its head. The helmet is larger on males than females. The helmet on female guinea fowls tends to be short and narrow. [7] X Research source
- Be aware that helmets can look very similar between males and females.
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Do not rely on visual differences. Because male and female guinea fowls look similar, you should not use only physical characteristics to differentiate between the sexes. In fact, keets look nearly identical, making it that much more difficult to know the difference between males and females.
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Turn the guinea fowl upside down. Another way to tell the sex of a guinea fowl is to examine the vent, which is the genital area of a bird that controls the elimination of bodily fluids. [8] X Research source To perform vent sexing, use one of your hands to turn the guinea fowl upside down and push its tail towards its head. Consider having a friend help you with the procedure.
- It would help to be seated and rest the guinea fowl's back along the length of your leg.
- Vent sexing can be difficult to perform and may injure a bird. If you are not comfortable performing the procedure, have a bird expert do so.
- Vent sexing is usually performed in keets that are at least a few weeks old.
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Expose the cloaca. The cloaca is the circular opening where reproductive, urinary, and digestive fluids exit a bird’s body. [9] X Research source With your other hand (or the hand of your friend), place an index finger and thumb on either side of the vent. Gently separate those fingers to stretch and push out the cloaca. Use gentle, yet firm pressure when exposing the cloaca.
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Examine the phallus. Typically, it is very difficult to differentiate between the sexual organs of male and female birds. A male guinea fowl’s phallus is longer and thicker than that of a female guinea fowl. The phallus becomes more distinguishable between the sexes at around 8 weeks of age.
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Tips
- Guinea fowl vocalizations can be very loud, especially when the birds feel excited or agitated. In addition, when guinea fowls want to signal alarm, their calls will become harsh and rattling. [10] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://animals.mom.me/difference-between-male-female-guinea-birds-7116.html
- ↑ https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/helmeted-guineafowl
- ↑ https://animals.mom.me/difference-between-male-female-guinea-birds-7116.html
- ↑ https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guineas/BRKGuineas.html
- ↑ https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/helmeted-guineafowl
- ↑ https://animals.mom.me/difference-between-male-female-guinea-birds-7116.html
- ↑ https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/helmeted-guineafowl
- ↑ https://www.petmd.com/bird/conditions/reproductive/c_bd_cloacal_prolapse
- ↑ https://www.dvm360.com/view/cloacal-disorders-and-diseases-proceedings
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you’re not sure how to tell the sex of a guinea fowl, listen to its vocalizations if the bird is at least 8 weeks old. If you only hear a 1-syllable chirp or yelp that sounds like the word “check”, the guinea fowl is a male. A female guinea fowl also makes the same 1-syllable chirp, but it also makes a 2-syllable sound that sounds similar to the word “buckwheat.” Typically the first syllable is shorter and the second syllable is longer. If you hear that sound, the bird is definitely female. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on comparing the wattles of male and female guinea fowl, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I love these birds they do a great job being watchful, eating ticks, and laying rich and delicious eggs. And my male tries to boss me, doesn't want me to leave when I get in my car and tries to come in the house. He taps on a window for some attention. Thanks!" ..." more
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"I love these birds they do a great job being watchful, eating ticks, and laying rich and delicious eggs. And my male tries to boss me, doesn't want me to leave when I get in my car and tries to come in the house. He taps on a window for some attention. Thanks!"
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"I'm new to guinea hens. I just acquired four about 12 weeks ago and I find them fascinating. I enjoy watching them grow, eat, and get along together but never knew a male from a female. Now I know. I have two males and two females. Thanks."
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"Knowing sexing and the maturity period, though it was not specific for females. Thanks, as I now know when males mature."
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"Have raised chickens for years, but new to guineas. This taught me how to tell the difference."
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