Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[Kim Z]

Lockdown today for my guinea eggs. Only 18 good looking ones and 2 maybes out of 41 eggs set, have made it this far. I hope the hatch goes well!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: YIKES!
Coyote are difficult. Sounds like a mink/weasel on the other. I managed to save 4 keets so far, and have about 23 that I incubated from their eggs earlier this season. Parent count is 5 and added a new roo last weekend. PM me, I have some info from a DNR officer I can share for coyote but its not pleasant. Won't post it here out of respect for others.
DH agreed on the ducks so the pekin are going. First round will go sunday unless we can sell them.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Lockdown today for my guinea eggs. Only 18 good looking ones and 2 maybes out of 41 eggs set, have made it this far. I hope the hatch goes well!

Hatching vibes to you

good luck!

 

[wallaces3rd]

OK my young hen laid her first egg of her life last week
The first one I found next day with hole in it
The following 2 eggs I collected... the others after...have remained where I have the pair confined
How long wkll she lay them?...are they fertilzed? What do I do with them...leave them...collect them and take them inside...i dunno....I am all new to Guineas
Thanks a bunch

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

OK my young hen laid her first egg of her life last week
The first one I found next day with hole in it
The following 2 eggs I collected... the others after...have remained where I have the pair confined
How long wkll she lay them?...are they fertilzed? What do I do with them...leave them...collect them and take them inside...i dunno....I am all new to Guineas
Thanks a bunch

You will either love them, or hate them! I never see the pairs breeding, just know they are pairs by their actions! Hens will brood them, or you can incubate and hatch. Super easy to hatch! If you dont want a large flock, and they are separately confined, let your hen do the work. If you intend to sell, incubate.. Makes it easier collecting babies, and they will be human imprinted. If you go thru the first few pages, theres a large amount of useful info there. If you run in to specific questions just post

 

[wallaces3rd]

How long can the eggs stay outside before I bring them in?
Do I need big fancy incubator or a tote and hot light?

 

[MeepBeep]

How long can the eggs stay outside before I bring them in?
Do I need big fancy incubator or a tote and hot light?

Eggs should be set within 7-10 days if you want the highest fertility after 14 days the fertility starts to really fall off if incubation doesn't start, but it's not a deadline as guineas are known to sit on 20+ eggs, so obviously some are over 14 days... You still need a half way decent incubator, one good enough to hatch chickens...

 

[The100AcreWood]

Hello! I have 4 guineas. They have been outside about 2.5 weeks now and are almost 2 months old They are sleeping with the hens and share the same run as well. No the hens still charge at them on occasion. This is our first go with guineas and chickens. The guineas seem to keep to themselves and same with the hens. I'm wondering if the guineas will always be the low guys on the totem pole or as they mature will they assert them selves a bit more? I am not sure if it's too early to tell but only one of the group seems to make the "buckwheat" call and the other make the one syllable call. If that is the case -one hen to three cocks will that be an issue later for the hen and for my chicken hens? I'd worry about fighting. We do not have a rooster but considered it. I'd not because I'd worry about male guineas and male chickens together. Thanks!

 

[The100AcreWood]

Also, we'd like to hatch next year and we're curious when they typically mate and come of age for that. We absolutely LOVE them and all of their antics. They are awesome to watch. I'll never be without without a guinea now!

 

[The100AcreWood]

Also, I'm typing on my cell phone. So, pardon in advance for any auto correct or double word posts. My phone has a mind of its own!