How old can Guinea eggs be and still hatch?

[dfarmann]

We started 3-4 weeks ago removing Guinea eggs and putting them in a nesting box for a chicken hen to incubate. A hen has been setting on them for three days now, are they candidates to hatch? We've all ready had one Guinea nest with setting hen destroyed by a racoon so were turning to the chickens and the safety of their house to add to the Guinea flock.

Thanks.

 

[nchls school]

While viability goes down on average, to say eggs 3-4 weeks old won't hatch isn't necessarily true. Some species eggs seem to have a longer shelf life. There have been times my turkeys have laid clutches close to, or over, 20 eggs and all have hatched.

I do not have guineas anymore, but do remember them laying large clutches and hatching them.

So yes, I'd still think your eggs candidates for hatching. Expect more eggs to not develop, but I think you may be surprised at how many hatch.

Guinea eggs are not the easiest to candle. Wait several days and candling may give you an idea of what's developing.

 

[dfarmann]

While viability goes down on average, to say eggs 3-4 weeks old won't hatch isn't necessarily true. Some species eggs seem to have a longer shelf life. There have been times my turkeys have laid clutches close to, or over, 20 eggs and all have hatched.

I do not have guineas anymore, but do remember them laying large clutches and hatching them.

So yes, I'd still think your eggs candidates for hatching. Expect more eggs to not develop, but I think you may be surprised at how many hatch.

Guinea eggs are not the easiest to candle. Wait several days and candling may give you an idea of what's developing.

I must add that I was careful when taking eggs that I took the cleanest looking ones hoping they were the newest.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

We started 3-4 weeks ago removing Guinea eggs and putting them in a nesting box for a chicken hen to incubate. A hen has been setting on them for three days now, are they candidates to hatch? We've all ready had one Guinea nest with setting hen destroyed by a racoon so were turning to the chickens and the safety of their house to add to the Guinea flock.

Thanks.

I think it’s with a shot. I don’t candle guineas until 2 weeks as some are hard to tell until about then. Good luck!

 

[Percheron chick]

I had guinea eggs sit on the counter in a warm house for over a month before I put them in the incubator. Had about a 40% hatch rate.