Guinea hen broody second time

[happyhllfarm]

I've had guineas a few years and they always nested and went broody late in the summer (August). I usually loose a lot to hawks, etc and have only ever had one hen around to lay eggs. This year,the only hen left, i think a french guinea, went broody in May and hatched five keets. They were separated early from the hen. She now has made another nest and is sitting on it for about three weeks (so beginning of September). I wasn't sure if this was normal? The weather has been unseasonable warm; otherwise, I'd be concerned it is would be to cold.

 

[red horse ranch]

What you are describing is not unusual. I've had quite a few hens over the years that try the same thing. One of my hens lost most of her hatch in June and she just tried to go broody again last week. I would usually find her nests and take all the eggs so she couldn't brood again but she hid the nest pretty well this time. I didn't find her until after she had spent the night on the eggs. I'm not sure where you are located but here in Wyoming hatching in October, or even late September, is a no no. Even if she was able to hatch the keets it would be too cold for them to survive when she comes off the nest with the babies. You will have to watch your hen closely when and if she hatches and rescue the babies if you want them to survive.

By the way glad you could join us!

 

[happyhllfarm]

Thanks. Im in southern New Jersey. It was in 90s today, foretasted 80s this week and 70s for rest of month. I think they will be okay to hatch out. I have a coup set up for chicks so it should not be a problem.

This hen got up to round up her keets last time after hatching five. A sixth I help out of shell but it only made it a few days. This time I put four bales of straw around her nest to keep the keets contained. Maybe she will not abandoned her nest so soon this time? She was angry and got off the nest when I was putting the straw around but she did get back on it a few minutes after I left so she must be determined.

 

[red horse ranch]

I think with the temperatures that you are having your hen should be okay with her keets. One thing to remember is that the keets don't all hatch at the same time. Most hens know that their babies need to drink and eat by the 3rd day and the hen will probably take what has hatched and get them to food whether or not all the eggs have hatched. I usually am watching closely for them to leave the nest and I will candle any remaining eggs and put any viable eggs in the incubator. She should still accept the late hatching keets if they are placed with her in the first day or two.
You can put a small waterer and dish of feed inside the bales if you want her to stay longer but even that may not work. When she is ready to leave you want the keets to be able to follow her so you should have a small opening where the keets can get out and go with her.

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

I'm so jealous! I have my first guineas finally laying in a community nest and I was hoping to have a late broody but it seems my chances are low since they just started to lay about a month ago

 

[red horse ranch]

Have patience CheifSuperFly! By the end of next summer you'll be wishing they would QUIT LAYING!

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

Haha I wish they would already quit laying and just sit! One of mine is at least a year old and she guards the community nest. I feel like she would sit if the others would stop laying. Her lover has ran off to be with the rest of the flock during free range while she hangs back

 

[happyhllfarm]

I left the straw bales around the nest and we noticed one morning the male was on the nest with the hen. Looking closer we could see egg shells. It was warm and dry so we left them alone for a day but with heavy rain forecast for the next night I then moved parents an 13 keets to brooding coupe. Only one egg left unhatched!

 

[red horse ranch]

Wonderful!