Hatching in the heat

[prairie]

I have one guinea hen that started a nest in the chicken house and now another has started one in the run. Each nest has 3-4 eggs in them and the hens are laying there about every day.

But our temps are due to hit 103 tomorrow and in the mid to upper 90's next week. Has anyone had any eggs hatch from a nest this late in the year?? or is it too hot for the eggs?

I plan to just let the hens lay the eggs and set on them when the time comes and hopefully hatch some out.

 

[JLeigh]

I don't know about temps, etc., but I do want to ask you if your guineas free-range, and what structures you have in the coop/run that the hens are laying under, if anything. Are the nest just out in the open or are they hiding (as best they can) somewhere? TIA

 

[prairie]

We have a chicken house -- about 15 X 25 which was an old barn/shed that we turned into the house for them. The guineas, ducks and chickens all go to the house and roost there at night. The pen / run is about 20 X 40 of woven wire of about 2" X 4" holes. So one guinea is laying in the house and one in the pen/run.

They free range all day -- of the birds do-- so I was surprised to see that 2 of the 3 adult hens are laying in the pen and house.

the nest in the chicken house is in a corner and she just made a hollow in the alfalfa hay that was scattered there (we have a dirt floor house) The nest that is in the run is actually under a small grape vine!! So really no protection -- haven't figured out whether to move her to the house or not. I 've also got 2 broody chickens in the chicken house and they are sitting on guinea eggs for me. They are due to hatch on 7/4 and 7/7

 

[JLeigh]

Those are huge enclosures! I'm envious! I think it's great that they chose to lay in the pen - makes your job a LOT easier!

 

[Lollipop]

Hmmm, just using my imagination, I would think that the nests should be left as is. When you think of weather in Africa, where guineas come from originally, your temps are not really out of line. I would guess that moving a nest would cause more of a problem than the temps, or location. Guineas hate to have their nests disturbed. Good luck with them.......Pop

 

[PeepsCA]

They should be fine, my Hen I have siting on an outside nest will get off her eggs on and off thru the hot days to help regulate the temp... it's been 109° here several days the past week and a half. They are due to hatch Monday or Tuesday. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[prairie]

Great to hear Pop-- I forgot that they come from Africa
And Peeps that is crazy high temps for you!!

Of all things !!! Last night the other of our guinea hens didn't come to the coop and she wasn't anywhere around today either so I assume she has a nest somewhere else besides in the pen.

We have 3 adult guinea hens and what a broody bunch they are -- 1 in the chicken house, 1 in the pen and one who-knows-where.

Gonna leave them be and see what develops but of course wouldn't you know it but we are going to be gone on a trip the last week of July. Hopefully they won't be ready to hatch until we get home!

JLeigh, hubs is the one who talked me into the big pen. I didn't think we would need it but it is perfect. When we are gone on a trip we don't let them free range but they still have plenty of room when locked in the pen for a week. Then the granddaughters just have to worry about feed and water. We are installing a automatic pop door tomorrow!! hurray!!