Guinea Hen Nest hunting

[Unicornlife3316]

The last 4 nights, a guinea hen has not come in the coop. She’s alive, she’s been here every morning.
I know she’s sitting on a nest, because she comes out for food/water and then disappears again. I have searched and searched every bush, every downed tree limb, every single place I can, even my neighbors bull pasture. I haven’t been able to find this nest.

My goal today is wait for her to show up to the barn to eat, then follow her. It’s hard because, I have 7 pearls that look identical, so I got some leg tags in different colors to mark the identical ones. It will be MUCH easier when I can actually identify them!

Send good luck!

 

[R2elk]

The last 4 nights, a guinea hen has not come in the coop. She’s alive, she’s been here every morning.
I know she’s sitting on a nest, because she comes out for food/water and then disappears again. I have searched and searched every bush, every downed tree limb, every single place I can, even my neighbors bull pasture. I haven’t been able to find this nest.

My goal today is wait for her to show up to the barn to eat, then follow her. It’s hard because, I have 7 pearls that look identical, so I got some leg tags in different colors to mark the identical ones. It will be MUCH easier when I can actually identify them!

Send good luck!

Good luck. If possible, I try to follow the hens back to their nests. I usually accidentally find the nests but it helps to watch for the male to be standing guard. Listening for the egg song can give an indication of which direction and distance to look for the nest. I find it easier to spot the nest when the hen is off of it. They can blend in a lot better than the eggs can.

Right now mine have started a new nest and I have not found it for 3 days so far but no hen is broody on this nest. They have two other nests that have broody hens on them but I chase them in the coop at night and then gather their eggs.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

Good luck. If possible, I try to follow the hens back to their nests. I usually accidentally find the nests but it helps to watch for the male to be standing guard. Listening for the egg song can give an indication of which direction and distance to look for the nest. I find it easier to spot the nest when the hen is off of it. They can blend in a lot better than the eggs can.

Right now mine have started a new nest and I have not found it for 3 days so far but no hen is broody on this nest. They have two other nests that have broody hens on them but I chase them in the coop at night and then gather their eggs.

This would be SO much easier if her mate was actually staying with her, he has two other females that are “his” and he takes them to the coop each night. So, I can’t find him standing with her.
I don’t think she’s laying anymore, I think she’s just gone broody and is sitting, she comes out to eat and get water but I still haven’t been able to follow her back. It’s driving me crazy but I think she’s close, so hopefully today, I can find it. Then chase her off and take the eggs.

 

[R2elk]

This would be SO much easier if her mate was actually staying with her, he has two other females that are “his” and he takes them to the coop each night. So, I can’t find him standing with her.
I don’t think she’s laying anymore, I think she’s just gone broody and is sitting, she comes out to eat and get water but I still haven’t been able to follow her back. It’s driving me crazy but I think she’s close, so hopefully today, I can find it. Then chase her off and take the eggs.

Even if she is done laying she may make the egg song call when she returns to her nest.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

Even if she is done laying she may make the egg song call when she returns to her nest.

Ok that’s great to know. I’ll keep an ear out for that!!!

 

[R2elk]

I finally found a new nest today. The giveaway was her two male guards having a screaming fit when they saw me. They stood erect and hollered their heads off and did not move away. They were about 4' apart and I spotted the hen on the nest that was in between them. I hope I can find the nest again this evening after they are all back in the coop.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

I finally found a new nest today. The giveaway was her two male guards having a screaming fit when they saw me. They stood erect and hollered their heads off and did not move away. They were about 4' apart and I spotted the hen on the nest that was in between them. I hope I can find the nest again this evening after they are all back in the coop.

Nice!!!
I still can’t find hers.. she’s been here at least once today to eat, but I couldn’t follow her, had my toddler with me. Hoping she’ll show up again to eat before dark.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

Well she came home this morning, so she’s made it 5 nights outside of the coop, which is a plus I guess. I figured out exactly which one it is, and started following her. She was in a group with another female, and her and the male ran back towards the barn, I turned around and headed that way and she was GONE. Just in under a minute, couldn’t find her. Drove through my neighbors bull field, searched the barn.. I have no idea where she went.. guess I’ll try again tomorrow.

 

[R2elk]

Well she came home this morning, so she’s made it 5 nights outside of the coop, which is a plus I guess. I figured out exactly which one it is, and started following her. She was in a group with another female, and her and the male ran back towards the barn, I turned around and headed that way and she was GONE. Just in under a minute, couldn’t find her. Drove through my neighbors bull field, searched the barn.. I have no idea where she went.. guess I’ll try again tomorrow.

Just a guess but the nest may be very close.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

Just a guess but the nest may be very close.

Oh I 100% agree. I have searched that barn high and low, but there’s a couple places I can’t get to, that I have my suspicions, so when my hubs gets home tonight, I’m going to have him help me move the sailboats, because I’m wondering if she’s between them.
I also have 10 chickens laying somewhere and have not found eggs in 2 days, that’s one place I’m wondering if they’ve hidden their nests.