Eggs in Bator- Ethical question? Decisions to make.. HELP!

[fyrwmn]

I am fairly new to incubating and hatching eggs as I started this year. Been reading and studying everything I can my hands on. I have fairly successfully hatched 4 different clutches of guinea hen eggs (20 eggs or so), each with 75% to 90% hatch rate. I have enough living space for thier adults ( 5) and the chickens that are in the coop with them. ( I have also kept 6 of the keets )

I have been successful at placing ads on craiglist, here and in local papers to sell the keets that have hatched.

But i have notice interest has drastically slowed as it is getting later in the season. Also, with where we live (CT) I can see that it can quite the challange to keep them warm as winter approaches.

Two weeks ago, we found our guinea brooding on a clutch of 35 eggs. ( She had been missing for several days) We snatched up the eggs and put them in the open incubator- business as usual. We were not really thinking that it was already the end of August and Fall will be here in no time. ( LOL.. our kids were not anywhere near ready for school!)

I candled them the other day.. removed a few bad ones but am still left with 30 with developing embroyoos. .. Due to hatch in another 3 weeks or so.

If these do not sell, we do not have the desire or room to keep so many. All the people that have bought the previoius ones do not want anymore right now.. said they might be interested next spring.

As hard as it for me, I find it easier to "turn off the bator" then to "cull the keets" afterward. I hate to turn off the bator .. if there may be another choice.. but I can't think of one right now.. wondering if anyone out there has any ideas or comments on this situation. Anything will be of great help since I don't know what to do .. and my DH says.. "its up to you!".. but we "Cant' keep that many"....

Thanks in advance

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Well, If it were me, I'd turn off the bator -

But, if you possibly COULD keep them through the winter - the bigger guineas sell for a lot of money around here - much more than chicks.

I paid 2 bucks each for 10 guinea chicks at an auction, and they had adult pairs there (and in more than one place I've seen) that have sold for 15 to 20 dollars each - that's 30 to 40 dollars for one pair of adult guineas. These weren't anything fancy - just the average greyish pearl guinea.

However, with the noise that many guineas would make, LOL I'd turn off the bator - I'd need a buyer rather sooner than next spring with that many running around, LOL.

Peace -
Meriah

 

[MissPrissy]

I don't know what your personal stance on eating your own meat but guineas are a finer quailty of meat than chickens. When they hatch you can put 3 months into them and then put them in your freezer.

Guineas are succulent and taste amazingly delicious. Better than chicken.

I much prefer that we eat out own meat. I have 2 doz guinea eggs in my bator now.

Also keep in mind most guinea hens lay through October and it isn't a hardship for a female to brood and raise her keets through cold fall temps.

 

[ginasmarans]

I don't have an opinion,just wanted to comment that I did not know you could eat guineas. You learn something new every day.

 

[michelle1017]

Dang! I wished you lived closer. I have a friend who has been looking for guineas this fall and not finding any. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MissPrissy]

Guinea is gourmet - the new chicken.

Actually the meat is far more delicate, the breast is very fine textured. It really is a higher class of eating.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I'm sorry for your dilemma, but congratulations on the successful hatches you've had.

You're wise to be considering this before the next batch hatches. It's certainly difficult to resist the excietment of hatching out cute new chicks or keets. But if you can't provide for them as adults, either by keeping them on your place or finding other homes for them, then it's best to stop the process now.

And it certainly will be easier to turn off the 'bator now than to cull cute yeeping little fuzzy keets.

Let the eggs cool and bury them deep under some favored bushes or trees. That way their life continues through nourishing those plants and the underground micro-life.

You know that "Murphy" won't like this and cause a line of folks to form at your door, pockets full of dollars, begging to buy guineas from you the minute those eggs get cold.

But too bad for him, you have to do the responsible thing. You can always begin again in the spring.

 

[sticks22]

fyrwmn,
Try giving them away! HINT! HINT!
Id be willing to take them off your hands if you would give them to me for free! Id be willing to pay for the shipping though. If you do then they will have a very happy home here! Ive been looking at some of the guineas at the local flea market but didnt buy because I spent the 20.00 budget that I set for myself. I thought that maybe next year Id buy some. Winter is a hard time for us as we use propane to heat our house and it always seems that we need propane when I least expect it. Which is another bill that I stuggle to pay.

 

[bargain]

Put them on Craigslist! Folks always want guineas. I'd love to have some more, I'm in GA can you ship?

 

[klf73]

Quote:
Unfortunately once they start to develop they won't make a trip well, especially shipped

Krista