Guinea eggs already??!!!

[Kellichick]

I have 3 Guinea Fowl that are 3 1/2 months old. There seems to be 2 boys and 1 girl - Laverne, Lenny & Squiggy. My first question is, is this trio alright with the 2 to 1 ratio?

My second question is, I found a Guinea egg in the nesting box this morning. I read in the 'Guinea Fowl 101' on BYC that, "Guineas will usually lay the spring after they are hatched." Why is my Guinea girl laying eggs already?

 

[joysgirl]

Anyone have an answer???? I have heard the same thing about them not laying till the spring after maturity...! August 15th my guinas will be 3 months. Am totally new to this!!! Would be awesome if they started laying sooner

Was disapointed when I heard I'd have to wait till spring. Might depend on the climate????

 

[perchie.girl]

Maybe the guineas didn't read the FAQ.... LOL.

Its been a pretty warm summer and many guineas are still laying. So I suspect the timing is just good, for it.

 

[PeepsCA]

The norm for breeding and laying for healthy Guinea Hens is 16 weeks of age, depending on what time of year they mature. Some start a little earlier. 14 weeks is a little bit early, are you positive of their hatch date? Your Hen is laying because her body knows it's laying season, tho not much of it is left.

The 2 to 1 ratio is fine, the Hen will most likely be bred by both males (when the Alpha is not looking), but the Omega male may be ostrisized if the Hen chooses to mate with just the Alpha male (sometimes they are floozies, lol). It may only be to the extreme that he is just left out or excluded, but they may pick on him to the point of running him off. You never know with Guineas tho, so it's best to monitor their behavior in and out of the coop/pen. You may need to re-home the other male, or find him a mate. My guess is that they will be fine tho.

ETA:
I initially read your male to female ratio wrong... but trios usually do fine, and usually work it out. Would not hurt to add another Hen tho.

 

[racuda]

I imagine one of the males will be dominate. I don't expect much fighting.

 

[StevenW.]

Eggs... at 14-15 weeks of age....?

My ducks didn't lay till around 6 months. Freeloading ducks...

 

[Kellichick]

I had the 3 reserved at Southern States for pick up on May 18th. They were 3 days old when I got them. So yup....they are 15 weeks and 3 days old and I've got an egg - my first one, today. I live in Troutman, NC. The temps this summer were in the upper 90's and low 100's for about 2 or 3 weeks straight and unbearably humid. The temps for the past couple weeks have been in the mid to upper 80's and not quite as humid.

 

[joysgirl]

Thanks for the answers!!!

So could it be the climate then? I live up in british columbia so I'll be waiting till spring I'm sure

NC is a bit warmer then here lol. Oh well kinda figured as much....

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
LOL.....