Guinea Fowl

rjw2108 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:46 am

Hi, I am a new member and have just set 17 guinea fowl eggs. I would appreciate any help, tips, etc. Is twice per day sufficient to turn the eggs. At what age is it safe to move the chicks, from the brooder to the larger pen with other chickens. I have 8 silkies. I also have four indian blue peacocks and would love to find some hens for them. I look forward to hearing from anyone who can give me advice.
Have a Merry Christmas
RJW

robbies coop · **Joined:** Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:59 pm **Posts:** 41

Q1= minimum of three to five times in 24 hours so the embryo does not get stuck to the shell membrane.
Q2= 12 or more weeks but if its cold wait a little longer

Robbie

Drew Smith · **Posted:** Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:11 am

This time of year you could put them out at 8 weeks but make sure they don't get a chill over night. If you’re not in a rush to put them out side then leave them as long as you can

Cheers Drew Smith

rjw2108 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:55 pm

Hi Robbie and Hi Drew, Thank you both for your valued advice. It has been very helpful. I have borrowed an incubator from a neighbour, however he has only incubated chickens, so has not been able to advise me on the number of times to turn the eggs. I have had various advice re turning them ... from twice to five times, so maybe three will be a good number.
I have had guinea fowl in the past, and did have some success with them hatching and raising their own, however it was a few years ago. I then got a few adult hens,unfortunately the red predators got to them before I could find their eggs. Hopefully I will be more successful this time.
Re keeping them inside, I live in the Upper Hunter and at present I need to keep them in from the heat, so I will be careful when it is time to expose them to the other chicks.
Thanks again for all your advice, it is much appreciated
Merry Christmas.
RJW - aka Robyn :-D

danny boy · **Posted:** Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:53 pm

damn the brooder would be massive to hold them till12weeks. They would be half grown.
Or was that 12 days & a little whoopsie was made????? hmmmmmm!
I turn mine between 2-5 times a day depending how busy. Yes they always hatch fine.
& they hit the ground outside after being in a brooder for 2 weeks, as Drew said watch temp as they HATE chills.

robbies coop · **Joined:** Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:59 pm **Posts:** 41

1/3 grown actually and Robyn may have a 6 ft brooder or even 10 ft like me, we don't know? no whoopsie :lol:

Robbie

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi rjw2108, (Robyn) Welcome to A.P.F 2 week is too soon, we would recommend you leave them in the brooder/s for 6 weeks minimum, if your brooder is too small move them to a cage big enough, keep them inside a shed or sheltered area with a HEAT source.

Good luck we hope all eggs hatch

Thanks
P.A :-D

robbies coop · **Joined:** Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:59 pm **Posts:** 41

Keets are not feathered at 2 weeks :roll:

no they are not able to defend themselves at 2 weeks :roll:

WT!!!! They need heat because they need heat as they would get from thier mothers.

Robbie

Stt · **Joined:** Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:01 pm **Posts:** 3006

Chickens should still be under heat at 6 weeks mabey you got mixed up with geese they can go out at 2 weeks?

stuart

eggwatcher · **Joined:** Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:38 am **Posts:** 4

I hatch 100's of eggs every year from all sorts of fowl and 80% of them are in an incubator. I have never taken any chick out at 2 weeks nor would I that would be a death sentence to the chick. 6 weeks is normal and no less. No chick can fend for them self’s in 2 weeks nor do they have feathers other than a few flight feathers.

Good luck with the 17 eggs Robyn

EW

P.s Love the forum

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