Guinea Eggs: How many days incubation?

[PeepsCA]

If more than one Guinea Hen is laying in the same pile of eggs it may get huge, up to 60 eggs or more before they go broody on it. And your other Guinea Hens may still continue to lay eggs there even with a Hen or Hens on the nest full time. The broodies will usually pull the freshly laid eggs under them to sit on too... so you may have lots of keets, but a mess of a staggered hatch. It's sometimes better to isolate one Hen on the pile of eggs (some how build a pen around her to keep the other Hens out, without disturbing her too much) and take away all the extra eggs so she only has enough under her that she can effectively cover and hatch. You'll also want to keep track of when the Hen goes broody so you know when to start watching for keets (between 26 and 28 days)... sometimes other Hens or other birds in the flock will decide to kill all the newly hatched keets if they can get to them. But hopefully all goes well for you.

 

[peanut67]

golden feather Thanks so much for the information it was really helpful I think I have around 60 or so now Not sure hard to count without touching them.This is my first time so if they do hatch it will be a surprise, next year I will be more prepared. Like I said this is my first time, so if it happens it will be a nice surprise. thanks again for the infor will keep you up to date peanut67

 

[PeepsCA]

Peanut... laying season is just beginning, and Guinea Hens lay Spring thru Fall. Depending on how many other Hens you have that aren't participating in the brooding of that egg pile, and depending on how long the Hens brood the keets that hatch out... you may be going thru this several more times this season, lol. Have fun, lol.

 

[peanut67]

Oh my goodness I had no idea they laid all summer thanks for the info I think I now have 70 eggs all in one nest don't think they could have manny eggs left maybe I am feeding them to good lol

 

[PeepsCA]

LOL, if they are healthy... they can lay 150-200 eggs a year for several years before they start tapering off. The eggs are really good to eat and cook with... you should put an X on all the eggs in the nest and start stealing the fresh ones laid every day to eat... and maybe even give some fresh Guinea eggs to your grumpy neighbors!

 

[peanut67]

Golen Feather, I had no idea they laid all summer, some of my neighbors don't like them any way even though I live way out in the country they seem to like my neighbors yards as wsell as mine but are getting better at staying home since they are laying.still not setting just have to wait and see what happens but do appreciate all of you knowledge about them,thanks to you I am learning more every day will keep you posted on the , by the way I am in Mo. close to the ozarks have a great day Peanut

 

[EdenCamp]

Hi peanuts . In the Ozarks and first year guineas laying too.

Bless thier lil wrinkly heads, mine are using nest boxes.
Snagged a dozen eggs and stuffed them under a scovy to hatch.
Even the scovies are cooperating - most seem to be using nest boxes and barrels too.
Thought I might have over done number of boxes - silly me.

 

[peanut67]

MY ARE STILL LAYING BUT NO ONE SETTING YET. wAS NOT SURE WHAT i WAS DOING SO MAYBE NEXT YEAR WILL BE THIS IS THEIR FIST YEAR ALSO VERY YOUNG HENS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD, SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. TALKING WITH EVERY ONE HAS REALLY HELP ME ALOT THANKS TO ALL OF YOU

 

[PeepsCA]

No worries peanut, they will eventually get on those eggs and hatch out some keets for you... just try not to fuss with the nest too much or let them see you fuss with the nest so they do not abandon the eggs. I seriously doubt you will have to wait until next year, and I'd bet my farm (ranch) that you end up with more keets than you know what to do with between now and August/September!

 

[peanut67]

Hi was wondering wht you use for your nest boxes, did the guineas lay in the nest boxes or did you put them under your chickens? How manny do you have and are they high or low, can the birds hide or what? Very interested because that is what I want to do next time. How many guineas do you have ? I have 14 can't belive they lay so manny eggs now over a hundred.

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