when do guineas start laying?

[birdbrain5]

i know for sure i have 2 females, and pretty sure 1 male. im curious when they will start laying, i got them last summer sometime around june or july? really cant remember. are they like chickens and need certain amount of daylight? and should i put nest boxes out for them, do they use them? i heard free range guineas go off to nest. my three go into the coop at night with a little coaxing, so im hoping maybe they will lay there too

nevermind, i found a thread asking all my same questions!

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

April, generally, with French guineas laying year-round (or so I hear

). If you keep them penned they have no choice but to brood there. Mine prefer to hide the nests and surprise me with keets!

 

[fishman65]

they start in april, some will be fertile and some won't be. Usually after a couple of weeks they will get into the swing of things and all will be fertile. they usually find a good hiding spot to lay there eggs and they will all use the same nest, just taking turns. just keep an eye on them around noon until three and you will usually find the nest. They will lay an egg a day until october. They will set there own eggs but they are not good parents. I usually take the eggs and put them in an incubator.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Mine usually start about 11:30!

They usually get really good and going here about late March. They will use a nest sometimes if they are confined to a coop but if they free range, they will find a good hidding place for most and you will find some in the middle of the yard. They do usually lay in the mid day and if you watch, they will give you a sign they are going to the nest. Guineas do pair up and I can usually find the male on the lookout when the hen is on the nest.