Guinea eggs, where did they go?

[Jake1297]

My Guineas started laying eggs this Spring and I was getting two a day from the two females. Now I'm not getting any eggs and it's been a week. I'm guessing they are laying them in some nest somewhere. Questions are: Do they stop laying eggs for a while? Where would I find the nest, anything to look for? I have hunted all over for it. About an acre is clear and the rest is wooded. Any suggestions where to look or what to look for?

 

[Jake1297]

I forgot to mention that the Guineas would lay their eggs in the nesting boxes after or before the chickens did. Is this normal?

 

[PeepsCA]

It is possible something made them stop laying... like the weather, a traumatic indecent with a predator or a loose dog, or even some kind of change on your property (construction, things being moved around, new neighbors etc). More than likely they are laying somewhere else tho... and that could be anywhere, in bushes, behind boards, in wood piles, in a flower bed... you name it. You can try following them in the mornings and see where they go, or try calling them for treats a couple times a day and watch which direction they come from and where they head back to after the treats are eaten up. You can also wander around and watch for the males standing up tall on guard while his lady lays her egg in the nest (sometimes they quietly sit nearby the Hen too tho), and you can also try to listen for the Hens to make the long drawn out "I made an egg cackle" if you are outside in the yard during the day. I've used all these methods to successfully track down nests. Most likely they just decided there's too much activity in and around the nesting boxes and went to find a new place to lay that's more private to me tho. Guineas can be very secretive about laying eggs and brooding their clutch.

If your Guineas were raised in the coop and roost in the coop then yes, laying in the nesting boxes is normal. As far as them laying in the boxes before or after the chickens laid their eggs... Guineas do not lay their eggs the same time every day, they will lay a little later every day until they skip a day, then start over earlier the following day.

Good luck finding the new nest or nests, there may be more than one.