Why aren't they sitting?

[trickiredhead]

OK I have a guinea hen laying eggs, 9 so far, but she won't sit on them. Am I doomed not have keets running around? I was so looking forward to this. This is the first time these guineas have laid eggs. What can I do to help them?

 

[gmendoza]

They need to be secluded.Take a sample from my brooder chicken.

I wouldnt mess with her unless I dont want some of my fingers.Her face is saying" LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Maybe some box around the dark side of a shed or rock.

Let me know how it works out.Also Guineas will lay about 16-20 eggs before they even think to become broody.

 

[trickiredhead]

WOW, thank you, I will make her a little broody room for her to have some privacy. Hopefully that will get her to sit on them. Thank you again. I am new at having guineas but I love it. They are so much fun.

 

[keatonskeets]

Yes, I would give her some more time to lay more eggs. On of these nights, she's not going to roost, beginning the 1st day of incubation. That's when you'll know it's time

 

[nsanywhere]

Guineas also lay extra eggs for insulation - they push some to the edge of the nest and keep the viable ones in the middle to hatch. They need to have a protected, quiet place to nest so try not to disturb them too much. Mine laid 30 or so before they started sitting on the nests!

 

[Akane]

Tell my broodies that. I make them nice secluded nests and they pick the most open spot with hardly any bedding to try to set on eggs. I've blocked off all the somewhat open spots along the edge of the coop in an attempt to get them in to the nest boxes or corners and instead one was sitting in the middle of the coop balancing eggs on top of the bottom of a 1 gallon waterer.

Both chickens and guineas will do whatever the heck they want and guineas are 10 times worse about it. You can do everything to make the most perfect egg sitting spot and they will go pick somewhere stupid where they get run over by the rest of the flock or eaten by predators. Guineas also tend to lay tons of eggs before they sit on them and if allowed will often pick somewhere outside the coop to gather their eggs. They aren't as good about using nest boxes as chickens. They actually aren't that good about raising their own keets in our climate and environment. Even if they manage to hatch them most die unless kept confined so if you want to gurantee keets you are better off using an incubator or a chicken. Otherwise have lots of patience.