breeding  (2)

I have found (through trial and error) that many of the temperatures and humidity levels suggested by books are incorrect.  I've kept careful records throughout the year and have found the optimum temperature to be 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit (37.6 degrees Centigrade), I also found that the humidity was best at 60% and not increased just before hatch.  I stop turning the eggs at 25 days and most hatch at 27 days, although they can be a day or two either side.

After 27 days the keets begin to hatch.  They need to be carefully watched at this point as old broken egg shells need removing from the incubator, otherwise they can get wrapped around a whole egg and give it a double layer, preventing hatching.  Guinea Fowl eggs are 4 times harder than hen eggs which means that only fit, healthy keets will hatch.  Sometimes keets need a little help after chipping, under the shell is a membrane which quickly dries out and traps the keet inside, I gently prise bits of shell off with my fingernail until the keet can get out of the shell.

It's worth mentioning that keets have delicate legs and must be kept on a surface with enough texture for them to get a grip; newspaper or cardboard is too slippery and they will do the splits.  I find very fine wire mesh, cloth or sandpaper is good. Once they have spraddle legs they will not walk properly again.