Laying eggs in a broody's nest?

[Spatzerl]

So, here is what I am wondering:
One of my guinea hens has gone broody in my chicken coop. The chickens and guineas used to lay their eggs all in the same nest. Once the guinea went broody I found maybe two eggs in other spots, but now what I observe is this:
All the hens seem to exit the coop, from the area the guinea hen is brooding, every day at around the same time and I have looked and looked and can't find them laying eggs anywhere else. They also don't seem to be egg bound. Are those sneaky hens laying their eggs in the guinea nest?
( I don't dare disturb the guinea hen either, and someone is ALWAYS on that nest! Three guineas are sharing nest duties!!!!)

 

[nchls school]

So, here is what I am wondering:
One of my guinea hens has gone broody in my chicken coop. The chickens and guineas used to lay their eggs all in the same nest. Once the guinea went broody I found maybe two eggs in other spots, but now what I observe is this:
All the hens seem to exit the coop, from the area the guinea hen is brooding, every day at around the same time and I have looked and looked and can't find them laying eggs anywhere else. They also don't seem to be egg bound. Are those sneaky hens laying their eggs in the guinea nest?
( I don't dare disturb the guinea hen either, and someone is ALWAYS on that nest! Three guineas are sharing nest duties!!!!)

While your hens may have found a new spot to lay I'm guessing that they are laying in the guinea's nest. In a case like this I put on gloves and look. Too many eggs under a broody will result in less of a hatch. Birds can cover just so many eggs; beyond that eggs are getting chilled and the embryos die. Is there a nest box near, but not too near (you don't want the guineas getting on the wrong nest)? Put a dummy egg there. Many times hens will lay in a nest where there is an egg but no occupant. Good luck.

 

[Spatzerl]

Do you think looking in the evening, with gloves, would create less of a disturbance for the guinea hen? Thanks for your advice! New to this fowl thing and their behavior is fascinating to me!!!!

 

[nchls school]

Do you think looking in the evening, with gloves, would create less of a disturbance for the guinea hen? Thanks for your advice! New to this fowl thing and their behavior is fascinating to me!!!!

Guineas can be temperamental and nervous. As such, I would worry looking under them when they can not see. I would hate to advice you to do this when it could, easily, turn into a disaster. Look when they can see what the intrusion is. They can not hurt you through thick gloves; they are mostly bluster and posturing.

 

[Spatzerl]

I will try to be delicate. As I said, those guineas are being VERY serious about this brooding thing. I haven't seen them leave the nest once. They tag team- I find this amazing ! (Apart from the fact that I now have access to zero eggs)