Jealousy

[JLeigh]

I'm lurking in the background, reading about all of you who are brave enough to incubate guinea eggs. I have two problems.

1) my husband doesn't want more guineas - but if it's between him and me, it's a fair fight . One I can probably win.

2) I'm absolutely terrified to incubate eggs. It seems like an insurmountable task - and risky. What if a chick dies? What if the incubator gets too hot/too cold? What if one is born with a birth defect, what if, what if....(I'm not this way about most things just so you know).

So I'm jealous and envious of all of you who have a flock of guineas, and are brave enough to incubate keets and enjoy those totally adorable little critters. One day....one day...

MORE PICTURES so I can live vicariously .

 

[jcatblum]

Just take the plunge. Tell DH that you will sell the keets you hatch & only keep the ones that are different colors.
DD hatches all she can for us & others. She sell her keets $4 each. And will hatch until early July. The market drops off when it gets over 100+ here. Not a bad source of income when you are 12. I am sure she makes more selling keets than the highschool kids with part time jobs.
(may want to check & see how many keets are in demand locally before taking my advise).

 

[JLeigh]

That's a thought - just plunge in. I'm not sure of the market for them here...How does one know if people want guineas? Hmmmm....lots to think about. Thanks for your reply!

 

[jcatblum]

If you see Craigslist is flooded with ads for them then there may already be too many in your area. Especially if they are are only $1-$2. Spend some time looking at Craigslist & any other local classifieds you have. You will see quickly if the market is flooded with them or not.
Good luck!

 

[JLeigh]

Well well, I do believe I'm going to be able to hatch some guinea eggs in the VERY near future. I'm thrilled and terrified. Any suggestions on which incubator to use? I don't want to hatch many at first.....

This is GREAT!!!!

 

[PeepsCA]

A Hovabator Genesis 1588 and an auto turner work great for lots of beginners (that's what I started out with and still swear by!)

 

[zazouse]

I agree with peeps i have one and i love it for small hatches.

 

[JLeigh]

That's what I'll use. I've been reading many posts about hatching/incubating, and I definitely want the air-circulated. I'm very excited, but nervous at the same time.

Thanks, guys

 

[JLeigh]

Found the Hovabator Genesis 1588 w/turner for 209.00. It has the "Control Center" that displays temp and humidity. (The manufacturer says "Updated for 2012!") Is that a decent price? Also, do I need a Candler? Any recommendations?

So far, this seems pretty straightforward - sort of like an Easy Bake Oven, only without the mixes. I know how to brood the keets when they hatch, and I have everything I need for that. I've checked into the market in my area, and I don't see any "Guineas for sale" ads, so there may be a decent market for keets here, but I want to start small for two main reasons: 1) If something goes wrong, I don't want to harm too many little keets. 2) I don't want to have 50 guineas if they don't sell.

I've read a couple of articles on hatching chickens/guineas, and it doesn't seem complicated, but they don't tell you what to do if, for example, the humidity goes awry in mid-hatch. Are there any routine problems to be on the look-out for?

I'll have the incubator in my basement; the temperature stays constant and the light is low.

Any articles you would recommend I read?

Thanks so much for your time and input. I really appreciate it.

 

[PeepsCA]

Try strombergschickens.com, looks like they have a better price for the combo. For candling I just use a small strong LED flashlight, but if you want to spend more $ on a candler go for it.

Hovabator 1588's are easy and reliable, you'll be fine! Have fun and don't stress