Incubating guinea eggs.Sigh.

[chickenlittle32]

Quote:
Mags, I'd recommend to let it go down naturally until lockdown. Then raise it up to about 55-60%.

Also, the membrane is naturally tougher before any type of incubation has started. grammy of David...you're humidity is pretty high...what day are they on?

 

[grammy of David]

Wed. Was Lock Down Day So Day 28... The First 7 Just Popped Out Like Always....i Have Done This Before With No Problems....the Others Had A Tiny Pip And By Last Nite I Knew If I Did Not Help They Would Die. 4 Of Those 6 Are Doing Great..1 Still In Incubator With A Small Chip Off The Shell. I Always Have Filled The Trays Of The Incubator And Added 4 Wet Sponges To Each Corner, So As To Not Have To Open Incubator To Add Water....always Worked Before....they Just Popped Out Like Corn...this Is Weird!

 

[MagsC]

Mary, I have the humidity down in the 40s right now, I just keep checking it so it doesnt get super low. So will take your advice and raise it during lockdown.

I am SO hoping!!!
I still get a kick of thinking of those guineas riding on the goats backs.

Is this a typical behavior for guineas???

 

[sparkles2307]

I had a dozen, 2 inferitle, 3 died around week 3, 2 hatched, and the rest appeared to have died trying to hatch. The shells were SO thick its no wonder they couldnt get out, I was sad.

 

[robin416]

Quote:
Thick shells on Guinea eggs are normal, that has nothing to do with their ability to hatch. I've seen a demonstration where someone dropped one on concrete and it did not break.

 

[cackler]

I'm very frustrated.

I put 12 guinea eggs in my Little Giant Still Air incubator. I followed the directions that said that I should maintain 99.5 degrees and that's what the thermometer that came with it was marked at as well. After 28 days I now find out that if there is not a fan that I SHOULD have had them at 102 degrees. I can't figure out why they couldn't have had that in the directions.

I don't think any of them are going to hatch at all as I've had them at 99.5 as best as I could.

 

[PeepsCA]

Yep, those low cost Little Giants come with crappy instructions

I think they just expect everyone to buy their expensive fan kit in addition to the cheap incubator and then install it themselves, so their instructions included in the box pertain to circulated air incubation. They need to revise their instructions and add the temperature difference part in, in bold print!

What day of incubation are the eggs on? Are they due to hatch now? And have you candled them to check for any development and movement? Turn the temp up and you may still get a few to hatch, (maybe), a couple days late... the keets that do hatch may have developmental issues, usually leg and feet problems, so just prepare yourself for that. Good luck

 

[jcatblum]

I think they could still hatch, just turn it up a little & give it another few days. I have had them hatch 4 days late & be fine.

This batch was scheduled to start hatching Sunday & I found 2 keets when I woke today. So far 10 have hatched. They were purchased eggs so I think mine got a little to warm prior to me setting them. Can't prove it though!

 

[Mam1964]

I am attempting to hatch guinea eggs! I didn't have much luck last year. After reading several posts I believe it is a humidity problem. I have a still air incubator. The temperature was right . How do you know how to regulate the humidity? The incubator has a humidity tray for adding water but just not sure how much to add. Please help!

 

[buttonwoodfarms]

I am attempting to hatch guinea eggs! I didn't have much luck last year. After reading several posts I believe it is a humidity problem. I have a still air incubator. The temperature was right . How do you know how to regulate the humidity? The incubator has a humidity tray for adding water but just not sure how much to add. Please help!

You can regulate humidity by opening/closing vents and increasing/decreasing the surface area of the water. If the tray has separate channels just add water to one at a time and check the humidity after an hour or so. Then keep adding until you get your desired humidity. Hope this helps.