Incubating Guinea Eggs

[Goats N Cluckers]

Good morning!

Is there a post anywhere with instructions on incubating Guinea eggs? I've found bits and pieces regarding both wet and dry hatch, but nothing complete and lots of conflicting information.

I've hatched chicken eggs, but this will be my first try at Guineas. I really need a consensus on ONE good process start to finish.

Thank you!

 

[R2elk]

Good morning!

Is there a post anywhere with instructions on incubating Guinea eggs? I've found bits and pieces regarding both wet and dry hatch, but nothing complete and lots of conflicting information.

I've hatched chicken eggs, but this will be my first try at Guineas. I really need a consensus on ONE good process start to finish.

Thank you!

I collect guinea eggs for up to 14 days.

I incubate them at 99.5°F and about 35% humidity. They can handle 40% humidity during the incubation phase. This is for a forced air incubator. Higher temps are needed for a still air incubator.

My incubator has an auto turner that turns them every 3 hours.

On day 25, I candle and move the viable eggs to the hatcher which is set to 99°F and 65% to 70% humidity. It is also forced air.

If hatching them in the same incubator as they were incubated in, I candle on day 25, discard the non-viable eggs, turn off the turner and raise the humidity to 65% to 70%.

Mine typically start hatching on day 26 and finish on day 28.

Good luck.

 

[Goats N Cluckers]

Thank you so much. I have a forced-air incubator with an automatic turner, this should be easy to follow. Thanks for the luck, too.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

You'll love them. My first Guinea hatch was like R2elk suggested - and it was fun and easy - only bitter regret: I was told not to help and let 5 of them die in the eggshells after they had pipped and were peeping for help for over 24 hours - please do help them out if that happens to you! My humidity during incubation was higher but R2elk is an expert and probably knows best.

 

[R2elk]

You'll love them. My first Guinea hatch was like R2elk suggested - and it was fun and easy - only bitter regret: I was told not to help and let 5 of them die in the eggshells after they had pipped and were peeping for help for over 24 hours - please do help them out if that happens to you! My humidity during incubation was higher but R2elk is an expert and probably knows best.

I agree on assisting if no zipping after 24 hours with a good pip.

 

[C Siena]

I collect guinea eggs for up to 14 days.

I incubate them at 99.5°F and about 35% humidity. They can handle 40% humidity during the incubation phase. This is for a forced air incubator. Higher temps are needed for a still air incubator.

My incubator has an auto turner that turns them every 3 hours.

On day 25, I candle and move the viable eggs to the hatcher which is set to 99°F and 65% to 70% humidity. It is also forced air.

If hatching them in the same incubator as they were incubated in, I candle on day 25, discard the non-viable eggs, turn off the turner and raise the humidity to 65% to 70%.

Mine typically start hatching on day 26 and finish on day 28.

Good luck.

I understand I am 7.5 months after this thread ended but...the Mennonite where I get our milk ask if I might be able to ever try to hatch some eggs for her. I said I can try after the ones we had in the incubator hatched. Well tonight, she gave me eggs that she has collected for the past 6 days! She said she thinks they are guinea but not sure if the white ones are guinea or banty, as the banty goes into their area.

Questions: Do you candle prior to day 25 to see if they are viable? I need to research more on guinea eggs.

I'll take a picture of the eggs and post (in 15 minutes after taking dinner off the stove) as if the other eggs are banty chicken, they will hatch in 21 days (or sooner) and need higher humidity on day 18, so I won't be able to incubate them. Thank you for any help.

 

[R2elk]

I understand I am 7.5 months after this thread ended but...the Mennonite where I get our milk ask if I might be able to ever try to hatch some eggs for her. I said I can try after the ones we had in the incubator hatched. Well tonight, she gave me eggs that she has collected for the past 6 days! She said she thinks they are guinea but not sure if the white ones are guinea or banty, as the banty goes into their area.

Questions: Do you candle prior to day 25 to see if they are viable? I need to research more on guinea eggs.

I'll take a picture of the eggs and post (in 15 minutes after taking dinner off the stove) as if the other eggs are banty chicken, they will hatch in 21 days (or sooner) and need higher humidity on day 18, so I won't be able to incubate them. Thank you for any help.

I don't candle before day 25 but there is nothing wrong with candling earlier. I wouldn't candle before day 10 simply because guinea eggs are harder to see into than chicken eggs.

Guinea eggs are normally more pointy than chicken eggs, They are also normally speckled but I have seen one white guinea egg.

If you believe the white eggs are Banty eggs, hold them until day 7 and then add them to the incubator.

I would not brood chicks and keets together because of the problems that the imprinting can cause when they are adults.

 

[C Siena]

I don't candle before day 25 but there is nothing wrong with candling earlier. I wouldn't candle before day 10 simply because guinea eggs are harder to see into than chicken eggs.

Guinea eggs are normally more pointy than chicken eggs, They are also normally speckled but I have seen one white guinea egg.

If you believe the white eggs are Banty eggs, hold them until day 7 and then add them to the incubator.

I would not brood chicks and keets together because of the problems that the imprinting can cause when they are adults.

Thank you ever so much! Below is the picture of the eggs she gave me. They are similar in size but the white ones look a little smaller than what I remember a banty silkie egg, but that was a year ago. She has no idea if all are guinea or not.
Maybe I could put 3-4 white eggs in with the others and hold 3-4 until the 7th day. At least 50% would be the correct timing. What are your thoughts on the white eggs?

When they hatch, if any chicks, I will place them in a separate brooder. I would be taking them back to her when they are a few days old, I hope. We only have chickens and both coops will be full after the hatchlings go out.

3 eggs on top are guinea, 3 on bottom are whitish.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you ever so much! Below is the picture of the eggs she gave me. They are similar in size but the white ones look a little smaller than what I remember a banty silkie egg, but that was a year ago. She has no idea if all are guinea or not.
Maybe I could put 3-4 white eggs in with the others and hold 3-4 until the 7th day. At least 50% would be the correct timing. What are your thoughts on the white eggs?

When they hatch, if any chicks, I will place them in a separate brooder. I would be taking them back to her when they are a few days old, I hope. We only have chickens and both coops will be full after the hatchlings go out.View attachment 4104006

Take a few white eggs and one of the dark eggs out of the carton. Lay them on their side and take the picture from above them.

 

[C Siena]

Take a few white eggs and one of the dark eggs out of the carton. Lay them on their side and take the picture from above them.

I just edited the post to add the eggs on their side. Shall I take another with them on a different background instead of the carton?
Thank you