Guineas cross breed?

[Vaughnr007]

Hello All,
I got some Royal Purple keets late last summer and surprise, surprise...they are already laying fertile eggs. They free roam during the day and return to the coop at night. They even return mid day to lay. It seems like multiple hens are using the same nest OR they are great egg layers. One nest in the coop has had 34 eggs so far. Another nest in the woods had 4 eggs in 24 hrs. Anybody have an opinion on this? How many eggs will a hen lay in a season?
I just got some Golden Lace chicks. And have two questions concerning them. 1) What is the best way to integrate the chicks with the guineas to use the same coop at night? 2) Will the guineas crossbreed with the chickens? I got a straight run of chickens so I'm sure there will be several roos.

Thanks to all for sharing you experience and wisdom.

 

[R2elk]

Hello All,
I got some Royal Purple keets late last summer and surprise, surprise...they are already laying fertile eggs. They free roam during the day and return to the coop at night. They even return mid day to lay. It seems like multiple hens are using the same nest OR they are great egg layers. One nest in the coop has had 34 eggs so far. Another nest in the woods had 4 eggs in 24 hrs. Anybody have an opinion on this? How many eggs will a hen lay in a season?
I just got some Golden Lace chicks. And have two questions concerning them. 1) What is the best way to integrate the chicks with the guineas to use the same coop at night? 2) Will the guineas crossbreed with the chickens? I got a straight run of chickens so I'm sure there will be several roos.

Thanks to all for sharing you experience and wisdom.

Young guinea hens will lay one egg every day until the end of laying season. Communal nests are very common with guineas.

I do not recommend keeping guineas and chickens together. Chickens do not understand guinea fowl behavior and can become very stressed from the races, chases and attacks from behind with all the feather pulling and breaking.

Chickens and guineas can cross breed successfully but it is not a common thing. Most guinea chicken hybrids have been created by putting a chicken rooster in a small pen with a guinea hen.