Three hens, one nest, 20 eggs....no one sitting.........

[poultrypatch]

Ok, my girls are laying eggs in their box in pen...few on ground...they keep going over and looking at them but no one seems inclined to "sit". Do they wait a certain time ? These eggs are getting OLD. Yes, I've picked up the ones on the ground and put in box but don't handle excessively. My Guineas are pretty tame for Guineas, doesn't seem to bother them .
I know with chickens you should hatch within about 6 days of collection....what about the Guineas ???
Thanks for any suggestions !
Liz
MA

 

[racuda]

I was wondering the same thing about mine. I have two hens laying in one nest. I took out 30 eggs, over time. and gave them to chickens to hatch. The total in the Guinea nest grew to about 30 when one of them decided to sit. As for viability, I will find out in 12 days when they are due to hatch! I haven't had the courage to try to candle them with her on them.

 

[cracking up]

They seem to take forever to sit and my fertility rate for sitting birds has been around fifty percent. It doesn't seem to matter if you take some eggs out before they start to sit and fertility on those is higher. It just depends on how many birds you want.

 

[poultrypatch]

Thanks folks for the responses ! I didn't know if I just had dumb Guineas ! Today I took and cut some small tree branches , brought them into the pen and sort of camoflagued ?? SP, the front of the nest box. Thought they might like to feel hidden. Made no difference...they removed all the greenery ! LOL
Right now I have 4 Peachick eggs in my 'bator...due next wkend...when they come out I am going to take and put the Guineas in, unless they are sitting.
Good luck with yours !
Liz