Picked up two Guniea Hens today, They are quite nasty.

[R2elk]

Will Guineas eat rats if I don't have a huge flock of them? I only have room for 2

If you only have room for 2 guineas, I recommend that you don't get any guineas. They are a flock bird and do best in large groups. I recommend a minimum of 10 guineas.

Guineas will kill and eat small animals such as mice, voles, lizards, etc. Rats are not that small. While a flock of guineas may drive away rats during the daylight hours it is highly unlikely that a pair of guineas or even a flock of guineas would have any effect on rats during the night.

 

[Chickens126]

Ok thanks!

 

[Jessie22]

I have a question. My guinea hen laid about 17 eggs and then went broody. Late last night or early this morning something got into her nest of eggs (17). 1 egg was eaten and the shell was left (broken up) and 2 other eggs was out of the nest but close to the nest. I pushed the 2 eggs back under her with a stick. She was unharmed and sitting on the rest of the eggs. What could of gotten into her nest but didn't kill her or it didn't eat but 1 egg. A squirrel, a bird or a cat that I see every once in a while to get into the trash that is to be taken to the landfill the next day, it couldn't of been a fox or opossum because all the eggs would of been gone along with her. Maybe this happened when she went to eat early this morning and came back to the predator and chased it away. I am not sure if she left her nest or not. Her nest is under a bush in like in a woodsy area but I check on her 2 too 4 times a day to make sure she is ok. My little dog was barking at the field where she is at this morning at 5 am when I took her out but I couldn't see anything, it was still dark. My dog wasn't barking where she was but toward the front of the field. The field is 5 acres and 3/4 fenced in with a very small pond. What got into her nest and is it going to return or not? It has been raining here for about 4 days. Here is a picture of her sitting on her nest. You can't see her unless you are directly in front of her. She is well hidden. This is day 5 of her sitting on her nest. Any ideas?

 

[R2elk]

I have a question. My guinea hen laid about 17 eggs and then went broody. Late last night or early this morning something got into her nest of eggs (17). 1 egg was eaten and the shell was left (broken up) and 2 other eggs was out of the nest but close to the nest. I pushed the 2 eggs back under her with a stick. She was unharmed and sitting on the rest of the eggs. What could of gotten into her nest but didn't kill her or it didn't eat but 1 egg. A squirrel, a bird or a cat that I see every once in a while to get into the trash that is to be taken to the landfill the next day, it couldn't of been a fox or opossum because all the eggs would of been gone along with her. Maybe this happened when she went to eat early this morning and came back to the predator and chased it away. I am not sure if she left her nest or not. Her nest is under a bush in like in a woodsy area but I check on her 2 too 4 times a day to make sure she is ok. My little dog was barking at the field where she is at this morning at 5 am when I took her out but I couldn't see anything, it was still dark. My dog wasn't barking where she was but toward the front of the field. The field is 5 acres and 3/4 fenced in with a very small pond. What got into her nest and is it going to return or not? It has been raining here for about 4 days. Here is a picture of her sitting on her nest. You can't see her unless you are directly in front of her. She is well hidden. This is day 5 of her sitting on her nest. Any ideas?

Whatever predator got into her nest will be back for more free meals. I do not allow my hens to brood nests outside of their coop. You need to do something such as remove her nest (stick the eggs in an incubator or under a broody hen) or build pen around her with a covered top to keep predators out.

Good luck.

 

[Jessie22]

Whatever got her 2 eggs has not come back. I do believe it was a squirrel because there is evidence of a squirrel around. At night I put bushy limbs around her so she can not be seen plus the limbs don't have her smell. I check on her around 10 or 11 at night to be sure she is ok. My hovabator came today so if any eggs get missing again I will incubate the rest.

 

[Jessie22]

She added more pine needles to her nest. Here's a picture. A close up of her eggs have gotten darker on one side. I am sure some of them might be to old maybe, not sure, we will see.. Eight were originally laid then 1 a day until she had 17 in her nest. It took about 10 days all together then she went broody.

 

[GlennLee]

What a great picture. I hope you continue to have good luck with the eggs and mama. The hens become VERY vulnerable to predators while incubating the eggs. Keep us posted as things progress.