new adult guinea pair questions

[newchicks8]

These are my very first guineas, my BFF gave me a pair of adult pearls on Apr 3. I do have a small flock of chickens I hatched myself and I am crazy about my chickens, I can watch them for hours. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about guineas, this forum is priceless but I have a question. I am keeping my pair confined in a horse stall for 1-2 mo as suggested. OK, here is the question. The hen laid 3 eggs. 4/4, 4/6, 4/8, just right out in the open, she didn't even attempt to make a nest out of the straw I had left for her in a corner. I removed them everyday hoping to get several eggs so I could incubate them. After 4/8 she laid no more eggs. I decided to place them back in the stall to encourage her to lay more. My reasoning for returning them was since I was keeping them confined for 2 months or more that she would be safe hatching them herself. Haven't had any more eggs after 10 days! Would it encourage her to begin laying again if I put a small dog kennel in the stall? I have outfitted the stall with a roost, they love looking out the window.

Is it too late to recollect the 3 eggs and incubate them myself?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Claudia in Ohio

 

[MuranoFarms]

Take the eggs back and stick them in the incubator. They may hatch...you never know. Guineas don't do the 'move the nest' thing. If you move it, they just give it up. Get a plywood board and cut it about 3 feet wide by 3 or 4 feet long. Prop it against the wall in a corner. If you give them a place to hide they will probably use it.

 

[rooster0209]

The first few eggs that a guinea lays are usually infertile, especially the ones she lays right out in the open. this is common behavior for a young hen.

If you have let them out to free range, she has made a nest somewhere else. Watch them and you will be able to tell where. The male will be out in the open alone...the hen will be close by laying an egg. (Mine usually choose around noon for this) The nest will be well hidden. When you find the nest, just take a few eggs until you get the number you want.

 

[newchicks8]

Thanks Maurano Farms, for the suggestion of adding a piece of plywood to the corner of their stall.

I was just wondering why the hen stopped laying so suddenly after laying 1 egg every other day. After 3 eggs she just stopped and nothing for 10 days. Those eggs she laid were just laid out in the open. Do they lay so sporatically?

I certainly hope she will start laying again since I placed the wood against the corner. I had just assumed since she had laid them out in the open that they didn't need a dark private spot.

I love this BYC forum, I have learned so much and everyone is so friendly.

I am looking forward to my new adventure with this pair of guineas. I have had a blast raising my first little flock of chickens, I hope I will be as successful with the guineas. Guineas do sound like they are quite a bit more difficult to maintain and keep at home but I am very enthusiastic.

Thanks again to all. Claudia from Ohio

 

[racuda]

Quote:
My two started laying 3 weeks ago and they have layed every day, a total of 42 eggs between them.

 

[newchicks8]

WOW, now that is amazing!!! You must have VERY happy hens, did you raise them from keets?. Now I wish my new hen would start laying. She has been on strike for 2 weeks, laying 3 eggs now nothing since 4/8........ even with an addition of a quiet dark corner with a piece of wood so she will have privacy. I still must not have the right environment for my new adult guinea pair, have had them since 4/3. I am keeping them confined for 8 wks as suggested. They are in a horse stall with chicken crumbles, grit, calcium, alfalfa hay, a roost, a window and evening treat of white millet. Calling all guinea experts.......HELP!!
I was feeling so smug since I had successfully raised my first flock of chickens who are happily rewarding me with lovely eggs.

 

[racuda]

Chicken crumbles? Maybe it is a protein issue. I've read that Guineas need more protein than chickens. I give mine game bird conditioner. It is 21% protein vs 16% for chicken layer feed.

 

[newchicks8]

I am going to try changing their feed, heaven knows I have tried everything else. thanks for any suggestions.