Hi I'm a new member

[elaina32]

Hi yall. I'm new. I live in eastern nc. And I have a few questions. I got guineas back in June as keets. And I millet trained them. I was told they wouldn't start laying eggs til spring but I have one that has started laying eggs last week. My question is when do they start laying, what time of day? I'm afraid to let mine out because I don't want to lose any guineas and I'm surrounded on three sides by fields and one by woods. And across from my field I have a fox pen. right now they r put up because we are expecting a snow storm. Also when I collect there eggs do i collect them all or leave one in there at all times. Any advice on guineas would be grateful.

Here's a picture of the eggs I've already gotten. I'm so excited. Lol

 

[fosterson]

Hi yall. I'm new. I live in eastern nc. And I have a few questions. I got guineas back in June as keets. And I millet trained them. I was told they wouldn't start laying eggs til spring but I have one that has started laying eggs last week. My question is when do they start laying, what time of day? I'm afraid to let mine out because I don't want to lose any guineas and I'm surrounded on three sides by fields and one by woods. And across from my field I have a fox pen.

right now they r put up because we are expecting a snow storm. Also when I collect there eggs do i collect them all or leave one in there at all times. Any advice on guineas would be grateful.

Here's a picture of the eggs I've already gotten. I'm so excited. Lol

Glad you joined us! I wish I had specific answers about guineas, but my educated guesses would be:

1. morning, same as most birds.
2. Guineas are pretty darn good at taking care of themselves with woods and fields. Very hardy and predator-resistant.
3. Keep them away from the fox pens.
4. Take the eggs. Guineas usually find a place they like to lay and keep with it. I believe you can train them to lay in a nesting box same as a chicken.
and
5. Go look for the guinea forums. There's lots of guinea fanciers around here!

 

[tomingreeneco]

If she is laying in the coop leave them in there. She will continue to lay them in the coop where you know where she is at. They usually go broody after they have a clutch of 30-40 eggs. So if you do not want more guinea take some away and only leave 10 or so at all times. If you want more let her hatch them out and see what happens. Some guinea make good mothers, other do not. I have a couple that have hatched and raised many keets with success, but I have been told that is the exception.

 

[Hotcookie]

Good advice from tomingreenco........ I've also had good luck with my mamas raising their own young ones. That's got to be one of the cutest pictures ever!! lol! You asked about when they lay their eggs - typically, before lunch (in the morning). I know exactly what you mean about being fearful of predators! We have a lot of fox and coyotes......(and I won't even mention hawks!) around here. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago when the weather warmed up slightly, my whole flock decided to go for a walk in the woods behind my house. We heard such a ruckus......ran over to the door....and saw a big hawk flying away. Well, apparently they frightened the hawk before he had a chance to carry it away, but it ended up killing one of my younger guineas. Sooo sad.... They say there's safety in numbers, and my flock has scared off a fox and coyote before, just from circling and squawking at it, but I guess it wasn't enough this time. Get ready for a lot of fun!! Guineas are really something else!

 

[R2elk]

Last year, I only had one hen guinea. Once she started laying, she laid one egg every day and she consistently laid that egg between 3:00 - 3:30 PM MDT every day.

 

[BridgetBarger]

I have 11 guineas and surely some of those are hen, I am excited for them to start laying this spring. I am hoping after being with chickens for so long they will lay in the nesting boxes, there are 8 boxes 2 wide and stacked 4 high my chickens lay in the top six but never the bottom 2 so may be the guineas will, they are on the ground.