Did I miss something? Guinea egg hatching timeline? 28 days?

[CDennis]

So from the posts it sounds like even if the eggs are placed at the same time they may not hatch out the same day? If this is the case how do I assure the keets are cared for by the hen and she doesn't just focus only on sitting? I let a broody hen sit once before but she ended up killing two chicks before I knew it, because she continued to sit on what turned out to be bad eggd and she didn't get them food or water (which was in the crate). If I hear chicks is it ok to lift mommy and at least get the first few to food and water or will she ignore them after they are touched by me. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to do this right!

 

[blackred]

Is this broody hen a chicken or a guinea? If it is a guinea you best leave it alone, they can be savage if they are on chicks.

 

[CDennis]

Its a chicken, yea I wouldn't touch it if mommy was a guinea I like my limbs!

 

[CDennis]

Tomorrow is day 25 so I will be prepared! The eggs are under a broody hen, there is food and water within 2 feet (medicated chick starter), is there anything else I need to do to help with the hatch or just let chicken mommy do her thing? I don't have an incubator so I don't want to scare mom away from the chicks, I just want to make sure they get food and water and the best chance.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Well wouldn't you know it? This time the silly things decided to hatch on time!

I moved the eggs to the hatcher on Monday (day 23) since by day 25 there are always some riding the turner! They didn't start hatching until Friday (day 27), and the last one hatched last night (day 28). So I guess they just come when they come?

edit because guineas don't 'joust' come

 

[CDennis]

Figures, I go to all this effort to make sure I am ready for an early hatch and now day 27 is halfway over and nothing! Gosh I sure hope I get some keets soon, it will be very depressing for momma hen and me if this hatch is a dud.

 

[CDennis]

Day 28 today. I went out last night and found a dead keet under mommy still in its shell. This morning there was a fully developed dead keet still in its shell out two feet from momma hen. How much time do I give her on these other eggs? All the eggs were placed on the same day. Is it normal to loose a few? This is so frustrating, my second attempt at letting a hen sit and the first time was a failure, I hope this one turns out better. Any advice? I don't have an incubator...

 

[shelleyd2008]

I'm thinking they were probably stuck in the shell, did you check the rest of the eggs?

 

[CDennis]

Rest of the eggs yesterday were intact. Nothing trying to hatch.