Claire Thompson
Guinea fowls are becoming increasingly popular for their tender and flavorful meat, and their ability to protect farms from predators, serve as pest control, and reduce the deer tick population. One of the most frequently asked questions about guinea fowls is how to tell the males from the females. While there are several farm wives tales about sexing guineas, the only proven method is by listening to the noise they make. In this article, we will explore the different ways to determine the sex of a guinea fowl.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound | Male guinea fowls have a one-syllable call that sounds like "wheat" or "check" or “chi chi chi”. Female guinea fowls has a two-syllable call that sounds like "buckwheat" or "okay". Females can also make the one-syllable call like males. |
| Physical Appearance | Females tend to have a hump on their backs where their tails start. Males are more oval or helmet-shaped with no hump. Males have bigger helmets and wattles. |
| Behaviour | Males show more aggression towards other males. They may chase and pull tail feathers from their opponent. During mating season, guineas tend to pair off. |
| Vent Sexing | Expose the cloaca, the circular opening where reproductive, urinary, and digestive fluids exit a bird's body. |
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What You'll Learn
- Listen for their calls: females tend to make a two-syllable call, like buck-wheat or okay
- Observe their wattles: the skin tags on the bird's face are larger and cup forward in males
- Examine their helmets: the horn-like structure on their heads is larger in males
- Watch their behaviour: males may show more aggression towards other males
- Look at their body shape: females tend to have a hump at the start of their tail
Listen for their calls: females tend to make a two-syllable call, like buck-wheat or okay
One of the most reliable ways to tell the sex of a guinea chicken is to listen for their calls. While male and female guinea chickens make some of the same noises, the female guinea has a unique two-syllable call. This call is quite distinct, and some people say it sounds like "buck-wheat, buck-wheat", "come-back, come-back", "put-rock", or "qua-track". The first syllable is typically short, and the second syllable is longer and rising in tone. It's important to note that only female guineas can make this call, and they use it as a general call at any time, not just when they are alarmed.
While it is possible to identify the sex of a guinea chicken by examining physical characteristics, it is challenging and unreliable. Male and female guinea chickens look very similar, and even their sexual organs are difficult to distinguish. The most noticeable physical difference is that females tend to have a more prominent hump on their backs where their tails start, while males have an oval or helmet-shaped appearance with no hump. However, not all females have this hump, and it is not a definitive way to determine the sex.
Another potential method is to examine the wattles, the flaps of skin that hang from a bird's head or neck. In adult male guinea chickens, the wattle is usually larger, elongated, and folded upward toward the upper jaw. Female wattles are typically smaller, flatter, and tighter against the head. However, this is not always a reliable indicator, as there can be variation among individual birds.
Therefore, listening for the unique two-syllable call of female guinea chickens is the most accurate and straightforward way to determine their sex.
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Observe their wattles: the skin tags on the bird's face are larger and cup forward in males
One of the ways to differentiate between a male and female guinea fowl is by observing their wattles. Wattles are the flaps of skin that hang from a bird's neck or head. They are also referred to as the two fleshy skin tags on the bird's face.
In adult male guinea fowls, the wattle is usually large, elongated, and cups forward and upward toward the upper jaw. On the other hand, a female guinea fowl's wattle is smaller, flatter, and fairly flat.
It is important to note that while these physical characteristics can provide some indication, they are not entirely reliable on their own. Male and female guinea fowls have very similar physical appearances, and the only proven method for accurate sexing is by listening to the noises they make.
Guinea fowls start to develop vocalizations when they are about eight weeks old. Male guinea fowls typically have a one-syllable call, producing sounds like "check" or "chi chi chi". Females, on the other hand, tend to have a two-syllable call, making noises that sound like "buckwheat" or "okay". However, it is worth mentioning that females can occasionally make the one-syllable call like males, so it is recommended to listen to them on multiple occasions before making a definitive conclusion.
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Examine their helmets: the horn-like structure on their heads is larger in males
Although male and female guinea fowls look very similar, there is one notable physical difference that can be used to tell them apart: the size of the "helmet". The helmet, also known as a casque, is a prominent horn-like structure on the top of a guinea fowl's head. Generally, the helmet is larger on males than on females. The helmet on female guinea fowls tends to be shorter and narrower.
It is important to note that relying solely on visual differences to determine the sex of a guinea fowl can be challenging. The helmets of male and female guinea fowls can sometimes look very similar. Therefore, it is recommended to use multiple methods to increase the accuracy of sex determination.
One additional method is to observe the wattles, which are the two fleshy skin tags that hang down from the bird's face. In adult male guinea fowls, the wattles are usually larger, elongated, and fold upward towards the upper jaw. In contrast, female guinea fowl wattles tend to be flatter and smaller.
Another way to determine the sex of a guinea fowl is through their vocalizations. Male guinea fowls typically have a one-syllable call that sounds like "wheat" or "check" or "chi chi chi", while female guinea fowls have a two-syllable call that resembles "buckwheat", "okay", or "buck-weat buck-weat". However, it is important to note that females can occasionally make the same call as males, so it is advisable to listen to them on multiple occasions before making a conclusion.
Additionally, behavioural differences can be indicative of the sex of guinea fowls. Males tend to show more aggression towards other males, especially during the spring mating season. They may chase and pull each other's tail feathers. During this season, guinea fowls also tend to pair off, with the male standing guard while the female sits on a nest.
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Watch their behaviour: males may show more aggression towards other males
Behavioural differences between male and female guinea fowl become more pronounced as the birds mature. During the breeding season, males tend to become more territorial and aggressive towards other males, while females might start nesting.
Males often exhibit a more upright stance and show assertiveness, especially during mating season. Females, on the other hand, display a more subdued demeanour. For example, males will sometimes prance with their wings held up and race at other birds.
Watching their interactions during activities like feeding can also provide valuable insights into their sex. For instance, females are desirable when it comes to guinea fowl because their eggs are extra nutritious, and they can be sold for hatching. They are also much gentler when it comes to mating, choosing just one male, while males can be aggressive towards each other.
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Look at their body shape: females tend to have a hump at the start of their tail
While it is notoriously difficult to sex guinea fowl, one visual clue to their gender is their body shape. Females tend to have a more pronounced hump at the start of their tail, while males are more oval or helmet-shaped with no hump. However, this method is not foolproof, as not all females have this hump, and the hump is not present in juvenile males.
Another way to determine the sex of a guinea fowl is by examining the vent, the genital area of a bird that controls the elimination of bodily fluids. This method, known as vent sexing, can be difficult to perform and may injure the bird, so it is recommended to seek the help of a bird expert.
The most reliable way to determine the sex of a guinea fowl is by listening to their vocalizations. Male guinea fowl typically have a one-syllable call that sounds like "wheat" or "check" or "chi chi chi", while females have a two-syllable call that sounds like "buckwheat" or "okay". However, it is important to note that females can also occasionally make the one-syllable call.
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