GUINEAS

[ByrdFeathers]

So my dad has Guineas he just lets wonder where ever they want. The other day we were walking around and found a huge nest with 53 eggs in it. So we loaded them in the incubator so in 29 days we will see what we get. I also put a dozen Blue Laced Red Wyandottes in there.

 

[ByrdFeathers]

Your chicken eggs will hatch a week before the guinea eggs do. Unless you have a second incubator to use as a hatcher for the chicken eggs, you will be risking the guinea eggs. A lot of hatching residue will be left from the chicks hatching and bacteria will grow rapidly which can affect the guinea eggs.
I highly recommend candling the eggs after 10 days or so and discarding any eggs that aren't developing. And buying or borrowing a second incubator for the chicks to hatch in.
Good luck with your hatch and keep us posted on what's happening!

I actually have another one hat the rotating system isn't working on I could move the chicken eggs a couple days before they hatch. I think that should work, what you think?

 

[R2elk]

I actually have another one hat the rotating system isn't working on I could move the chicken eggs a couple days before they hatch. I think that should work, what you think?

It would be fine to set up a different incubator as a hatcher which would eliminate any issues with a staggered hatch.

 

[red horse ranch]

They don't need to be turned after 18 days correct? the chicken eggs?

Correct. Feel free to ask us questions as your incubation progresses. Both @R2elk and I have hatched a LOT of guineas! We want you to be successful in your new endeavor.

 

[R2elk]

So my dad has Guineas he just lets wonder where ever they want. The other day we were walking around and found a huge nest with 53 eggs in it. So we loaded them in the incubator so in 29 days we will see what we get. I also put a dozen Blue Laced Red Wyandottes in there.

If the guinea hens had not already started setting on the eggs you should be able to expect the eggs to hatch in 26 to 28 days. Whenever I incubate chicken eggs and guinea eggs together, I add the chicken eggs a week after I start the guinea eggs so that all will hatch approximately around the same time.

 

[red horse ranch]

Your chicken eggs will hatch a week before the guinea eggs do. Unless you have a second incubator to use as a hatcher for the chicken eggs, you will be risking the guinea eggs. A lot of hatching residue will be left from the chicks hatching and bacteria will grow rapidly which can affect the guinea eggs.
I highly recommend candling the eggs after 10 days or so and discarding any eggs that aren't developing. And buying or borrowing a second incubator for the chicks to hatch in.
Good luck with your hatch and keep us posted on what's happening!

 

[red horse ranch]

I actually have another one hat the rotating system isn't working on I could move the chicken eggs a couple days before they hatch. I think that should work, what you think?

Move the chicken eggs on day 18 into the second incubator and raise the humidity to 65%. The eggs should not be on a turner and should be laying on their side. Keep the humidity up until they hatch. Good luck!

 

[R2elk]

They don't need to be turned after 18 days correct? the chicken eggs?

That is correct and the same applies to the guinea eggs as of day 24.

 

[red horse ranch]

Scratch is a treat, not a complete feed. Scratch only has 6 to 8% protein and all poultry need a minimum of 16% or more. Ask at the feed store where you get the scratch about a complete feed such as game bird or meat bird food. At their age chicken layer feed wouldn't be the best for them but it's better than just scratch. And guineas need grass to keep their digestive system working properly.

Personally I think it is wrong to keep guineas caged. They should at least have 10 square feet of covered run per bird. Once they have accepted your home as their home, usually at least a month of confinement, you might try letting a few of them out to free range. Always making sure they are confined at night!

 

[R2elk]

Should I be feeding them more than scratch and oyster shell during laying. (she just started laying about a month ago) I was just watching some UTUBE videos on them and am wondering if there is anyway I can get them all in 1 cage with introducing slowly. The oldest ones are about 8yrs old and the younger one 6or 7yrs old. Or do you think they are too old now. He started keeping them caged all the time as he lost half of them to something. Never told me what he thought it was. They used to free range during the day and stay in their coops/runs at night. I'm afraid to let them out again as I don't want to lose any.

Scratch is not an acceptable feed for anything. It is low in protein and high in fat and should be only used as a treat. Since those guineas are caged and cannot supplement their diet, they are very likely not really healthy.

My guineas get 20% protein layer pellets along with being free ranged from morning to evening. They also have free choice oyster shell available.

I have no idea what size cage you are talking about but suspect that there is insufficient room in the "cage" to stick them all together. Guineas will not do well caged. They need lots of room. I recommend an absolute minimum of 4 sq. ft. of clear floor space per guinea in a coop and much much more than that for a run attached to the coop. If you get an area of sufficient size, the guineas may learn to get along with each other but it will take time and lots of fights as they establish their pecking order.