How many eggs a year?

[WestKnollAmy]

I have searched the internet for info on Guineas and there appears to be none. Well, there is a tiny bit but for people to have them and raise them in pens and keep them in pens there seems to be very little info out there.

I would like to know how many eggs a year they might lay?

Does every hen go broody after laying 20-30 eggs?
I was told my buff Orps would go broody, too but after owning them for many years I have had only one go broody. I wonder if Guineas are about the same? Some do and some don't....?

Is there a link to a very good website that someone may have?

 

[PeepsCA]

How many eggs will a Guinea lay a year?

Depending on the area you live in, and the weather regulating how long your flock's laying season is, Guinea Hens usually lay an egg a day, skipping a day every 10-14 days... (unless they go broody on a pile of eggs and hatch keets, raise them, then they may lay another clutch later, raise those keets too and then be done for the year).

My Laying season starts in January, doesn't really kick in until February then the laying usually start to dwindle in June and completely stop in July or August because it's too hot here. If you figure 25 eggs a month average, for around 5 months... that's 250 eggs. Some Hens lay more, some lay less.

If nothing interrupts or disturbs my Hens while they are laying in a nest daily, it's been my experience that every one will indeed go broody after 20-30 eggs. Occasionally the first timers lose interest and not remain broody on a clutch, but more often than not it is because something has caused them to abandon their nest. They are very particular about their privacy while laying and brooding (unlike chickens)... if they are not comfortable with the privacy or seclusion, or if they get spooked or attacked by a predator they will usually abandon the nest and start again elsewhere. This is based on my personal experiences with my own flocks, others may have different experiences to share.

Unfortunately there's not a lot of Guinea specific detailed info out there on the net, because a lot of poultry info websites consider Guineas as just another of the typical poultry breeds... which is hardly the case (and anyone that owns Guineas will most likely agree with me on that, lol).

Correction: My math was incorrect.... 25 eggs per month per Hen for 5 months is 125 eggs... not 250, (oops). I average about 200 eggs per Hen per year tho, here in Northern California.​

 

[ColbyNTX]

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Thank you, PeepsCA. That was very helpful and better than any info I have found on the net, even the GFBA.

Unfortunately there's not a lot of Guinea specific detailed info out there on the net, because a lot of poultry info websites consider Guineas as just another of the typical poultry breeds... which is hardly the case (and anyone that owns Guineas will most likely agree with me on that, lol).

I agree with you and I have only had one less than 2 weeks and had my first hatch yesterday. I am finding differences and always love to read as much detailed info as possible when acquiring a new variety of bird. Though I have seen Guineas all my life it seems no one around me knows much about them.
I am finding them to be interesting.

 

[jcatblum]

My 11 yr old DD is in charge of the guinea eggs. This is our 1st yr with guineas, but she is certain the hotter the day is the more eggs she finds. If it is 100+ outside she gets 4-5 eggs. Cooler days 1-3 eggs. She thinks our guineas prefer the heat. Been in the 100s for about 2 wks now. We will see how long the hold out laying in this heat. According to the farmers almanac we are suppose to cool off in July. Don't know how true that is!!!
If the heat gets them to stop laying do you still find an occasional egg? Or none at all until spring?

 

[KZ]

My guinea's didn't start to lay this year until almost May, I guess because we had a very cold spring here. I was surprised to read the post where the guinea owner in CA says her laying season starts in Feb - mine definately do not start laying that early - ever. I seem to always have at least one female who goes broody every year. This year I have a lavendar hen sitting on a clutch that must have 30 eggs in it from all 3 females ...... plus about 4 chicken eggs the hens sneaked in when the guinea hen got up to stretch her legs and eat a bit.

I am looking forward to the hatch, which should be any day now!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

This is very good info. I appreciate the input.

Surely I have had females hatch out so I may actually get some girls on the farm. Now that I know what the eggs look like it will be easy to tell them from the ducks and chicken eggs, if I come across any.
I had thought to keep some in a pen so I could collect the eggs but really would enjoy them out taking care of pests instead. I am sure it will be next year before I have any girls laying since they just hatched now.

They are cute little buggers right now and I don't find the male that showed up here to be ugly. He actually now coops up with the chickens so maybe I can train these that are hatching to stay close enough to lay in a coop.

Wonder how Guinea eggs would sell? Kinda small for eating.

If the heat does stop them from laying then I suppose mine won't do too well either. It gets hot, sticky and miserable here in the summer.

 

[jcatblum]

The only guinea eggs I see around here are for hatching. At the poultry auction thy bring 6-8 a dz. Where I live regular eggs sell well @ $2 a dz, people try to sell for more but they don't get much response. So far I have found most of our eggs to be fertile. I have 1
male for each female & they have all paired up. When they are in the woods or the pasture they are always together!! Very cute to watch the ugly birds stick together all the time. Plus I haven't lost 1 to predators yet. I have lost a few chickens to predators so I think staying paired up helps.
We have poultry action 2 times a month less than 5 miles from our house. On average we get 2 dz eggs a wk. DD plans on having some newly hatched keets (which go for $4) plus 2 dz eggs @ each auction. That is around $100 a month for an 11 yr old. Not bad $$$ I don't think. Plus she has chicks & other eggs to sell too. So far she has only taken A few things to auction but she is very happy with the money she is getting.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

That sounds neat! What an ingenious child! I think that is a great life lesson.

My friend that brought me the Guinea eggs to hatch for her and is letting me keep half that hatch, said she paid $2-3 dz at the auction for them. However, grown Guineas are selling for almost $20 each because fire ants have taken over our area and people have heard they will eat them as well as it is catching on that they are good for getting rid of ticks and such.

I will probably sell some of these keets but I haven't had too many folks ask after them, although she says she has a lot of people wanting them.

I thought perhaps if I find any of their eggs next year I would try cooking with them and see if they make cakes or cornbread taste better. I know my ducks eggs make them better.

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote:
January 4th was when I found my first egg, lol. Took me a couple weeks to gather enough to justify running the incubator, but I had my first few keets hatch Feb 13th.