LinearTest Nest Project
This is something that I hope will get some attention. It seems to be improtant to more than a few who have posted to the forum.
I'm going to document how my improvised nests do this year. I hope a few others will want to share their nests. Seeing what works and even what does not work. See where they work and where they don't work can be helpful too. I'll make a few variation on a theme. I'd like to see any real successful examples of improvised nests. We might just come up with a perfect means of inducing guinea hens to lay in spot X !
Geoffrey
Test Nest Project
Good idea, I`ll be watching and maybe participating later on.....Pop
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In God We Trust
Reza Asil, Brazilians, Thai, Chinese and Emden Geese, Guineas, one old Pit Bull (Sugar),a young Rottweiler (Bella), and a Yellow Lab pup (Scooter). Fifty two years with chickens and still learning.
Test Nest Project
Thanks Pop...I'm hoping we get close to 10 regulars from here to participate. I think a group project like this can only enhance our knowledge of how to better protect our birds when they are nesting. It is unquestionably a high risk time for a guinea hen. Anything the GFIA can do to spread the word on ways to lessen the risks facing guinea fowl from predators ought to be viewed as a good thing....at least that's how I feel. In North America...guinea fowl have a significantly different set of predators than what they deal with in Africa. I honestly don't see them ever being able to adjust genetically so that they're able to support feral populations (in substantial numbers). This project would likely have a goal of creating the "ideal portable nest box". My hope is we'll have enough successes that the test group can reach a consensus for a general guideline to size, shape, setting, camouflage used or not. In the long term this really could turn out to be something incredible.
The big picture for GFIA is to promote the best ways to care for guinea fowl. This forum is a terrific venue to share the information....possibly the best means.
Geoffrey
Test Nest Project - Vermont
by Heritage Hens 
, Vermont, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 12:41 @ geoffrey
Geoffrey, I would be interested too. I'm not quite sure what you mean but I would like to help and protect the laying guinea hens as much as possible.
Would you mind giving more details?
Test Nest Project - Vermont
Heritage Hens,
Undoubtedly many guinea fowl owners have attempted over the years to devise a nest spot so their guinea hens would nest in locations of the keepers choosing rather than out in the woods or away from the coop. This is just an effort to compare notes on what works and what doesn't. Perhaps if we put our heads together we can develop a portable (yet permanent) nest-site that works best for owners wanting guineas to nest inside a house/coop or outside but close to the guinea roost. Nobody likes finding an abandoned nest and to be missing a beloved guinea hen....forever. I've had it with dead guineas.
I'm constructing a wire topped rectangle with an 18" length X 13" width X 12" high thing. There's no bottom...just 2 small plywood boards with wire grid over the top and a couple strip of wood at the base to hold the 2 side boards straight up to meet the cage wire that is cut to size but with a slight overhang so to allow decorating the box with sticks and shrubbery...camouflage the box to make it fit in with the natural surroundings.
I'd like to see several incarnations of what guinea fowl owners create(d) that their birds used or will use.
It should be interesting and in the end...fairly educational and hopefully a success.
Geoffrey
Test Nest Project - Vermont
by Heritage Hens , Vermont, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 13:16 @ geoffrey
Great, I understand. I think it was last fall that I posted my plans to re-create an outdoor environment indoors, using shrubbery, hay,branches,leaves, etc. This is to give them something to think about BEFORE they are free ranging.
There is too much snow still on the ground to let them out. Mine have not started laying yet.
I like the idea of sharing ideas for outdoor cammo nests. I'm going to keep my eyes open for rustic old wine barrels or nail kegs, too, that could be placed on their sides and then covered with natural materials.
I hope you can post pictures soon, Geoffrey.
Test Nest Project w/ ideas for camouflage
Heritage Hens,
I recall your posting about wanting to create an indoor space to emulate the outdoors. When your birds are inside for long while like yours...they likely greatly appreciate every little thing you do to make it seem more like the out of doors. We all know guineas are a free ranging roaming bird in "the wild"....so we're sorta obligared to do as much as we can to enhance their roosting locations.
I'm going to utilize large stones and branch cuttings from any of the 8 Atlantic White Cedar trees here on our lot. Those cedar trees are a bit overgrown...their branches stay green for a long long while after being cut. The problem I'm trying to deal with mentally is how to blend tumble weeds into our rather pretty garden spaces...that's a real oxymoron type dilemma....a garden spot with huge dreadful looking weeds. I've got to be careful or my wife will have a REAL fit....and my kids too for that matter.
Yeah;...my guineas have not yet begun to lay either. Most of my hens are just 7 months old. Most (4 hens) will be 8 months old on the 15th of April....the other 3 hens are a month older. It could easily be 5 more weeks here before I begin to find eggs in nest spots. My place is close to the Canadian border too. I can drive there in 4 hrs...undoubtedly you're close as well, maybe closer to Canada than I am. The weather forecast was for snow here this morning but thankfully its not....much too sunny...not enough clouds....I'm not complaining.
Geoffrey
Test Nest Project w/ ideas for camouflage
by David Burton Flint 
, Mars Hill, NC, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 13:37 @ geoffrey
My pine bows, pine limbs seem to be working in the log coop, one is in it now, and just spotted on side of hill in the honey suckle a spot where one has been working. She may be ready to lay ther, as the male stood watch. At least I can sit on the back porch and watch them, and now have one outside that will be a nest. I'm thinking the first time layers like the set up inside the coop, and will use it. Just an update
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David Burton Flint,NC CELTIC BREEZE LANE GUINEA FARM
Born 250 years too late
img: Here's what I tried last year....
I was determined to get my girls to lay in a safe place (I knew the coop was out, they've been in the woods already).
I observed many nests they used in the wild. For every one "settled on" they first started, and then rejected, 1/2dz spots.
One of my girls seemed to always prefer an old downed branch or pile of sticks. While others liked up against a bolder or wall. Still another had to be under greenery of some sort or high grass.
All with some sort of blocked view from above and more than one method of access/egress. From there it just never made sense to me what was better about the spot they finally decided on, over those they worked on for hours but ultimately left.
So, I decided I had enough observation to try to recreate what they might like. At the end of their 24X40 pen, in a shaded area, I tried to make the three types of surroundings I saw them use.
First the whole strip.![[image]](images/uploaded/201003101426504b980e9a6de06.jpg)
Next the Sticks ![[image]](images/uploaded/201003101427514b980ed7df138.jpg)
And a Rock Surrounding ![[image]](images/uploaded/201003101428404b980f0825d34.jpg)
Also a Wood Spot![[image]](images/uploaded/201003101429504b980f4e492bb.jpg)
Finally a covered "Hay Box" ![[image]](images/uploaded/201003101430454b980f8549ead.jpg)
They may have liked the Hay the best and next the Rock but, ultimately, they wanted OUT 
When kept in the pen for a couple of days they used what they had to use, but when the door was opened they went to find something else themselves. Even if they started in the pen, they restarted out in the wild and left the "pen nest" alone.
What I really learned was that this was going to be harder than I thought!
is their's alone, & there's nuthin' ya can do about it, unless ya force 'em.
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Common sense ain't all that common.
What you tried inside last year...but mine are outside
Chris,
I'm sorta skeptical of inside the ability to coax guinea fowl into nesting inside. David Flint has somehow convinced his birds that the barn they nested inside of...is outside...its nice and great for him. My birds have 2.5 acres of very well fenced yard to run around in and in which to choose decent nest locations and there are plenty of spots for me to place several of my boxy looking nest contraptions...inside of which they can choose to make a nest. That's what I'm shooting for. Indoors or inside a coop nest spots...are difficult and not the norm as many have learned...it'd be great to get something that was perfect for folks with smaller lots and indoor nesting...for me...I'm just trying to keep the eggs within reasonably close proximity so that I can find them easily.
Geoffrey
What you tried inside last year...but mine are outside
Yea, I gave up and this year I'm trying A-Frames :)
I've built a couple of 2X2's and we'll see what I can get them to use...
Here's the strategy I came to use for dealing with those far-away nesters. Because I took away eggs, from nest sites I was actually happy with, as soon as one of the girls decided to brood. I was kind of forcing them to go farther away in search of safer nesting sites.
Also, because this kept them laying ALL the time their bodies never got the rest it needed from egg production (one of them got sick and diagnosed with "missed-yoke-peritonitis" I don't want to even think about that vet bill ;).
So, what I do now to encourage them to stay in spots I like is, I swap real eggs for wooden ones, and let them "brood" all they want! They're not happy with, but tolerate, me picking them up off their nest to carry them inside every night for safety.
This way I keep them close to my property and away from deep into neighbors where I can't keep an eye on them while they're out.
I assume you could use that for egg collection too. Easy, Safe & Close nests where you could know what was new to take.
Really BAD nests (for me) I immediately remove the egg and replace with a Big Rock to get them to choose another site. Then, when I'm happy I let them continue there so we're ALL Happy 
What you tried inside last year...but mine are outside
Chris,
Good suggestions and actions taken I think on your part. Placing a huge rock in a poorly chosen (dangerous) nest site...makes great sense. I'll definitely do that. What I want to accomplish is to create so many attractive potential nesting sites inside the safety of the fence line...that the hens lay ALL of their eggs in the yard...making it rather simple for me to find every egg. I've only got 7-8 hens..with possibly 2 more coming. Also I don't want any nest so far off that I can't find the hen setting at night. If 1-2 hens find the nests inside the fence line more attractive than anywhere outside...we all win. I've had 2 instances in 7 years where a hen hatched keets outside the safety of our fenced yard...I found 3 keets once and 1 lone keet the other time. They were not great mothers in these 2 instances.
Geoffrey
Nice work Chris... but I'd be careful with
by ZamanMY , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 22:36 @ ChrisCT
those netting... b'cos mine somehow, always get their casque entangled in them... & it could be deadly/death trap...
I'd think changing to smaller mesh or a stiffer material would probably help.
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Use organics... Let's green the Earth!
Nice work Chris... but I'd be careful with
Wow that's a scary thought...
You've had a bird get their head stuck in netting? It never occurred to me, as many things don't ;), that the 2X2 holes could do that. But I guess "limp" like that, as opposed to it being taught as a top net, it might be a problem.
The pictures were from last year and I was trying to support the vines above with it. I'm gonna change it this year - Thx 
Nice work Chris... but I'd be careful with
by Stormie , Montana, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 10:15 @ ZamanMY
I had a similar problem with a chicken nest box. It was my first attempt at poultry lo, those many years ago, and the place we had just bought at the time already had a 'coop' of sorts (originally a pig parlor) and wooden nesting boxes on the wall. The end box extended a bit past the 2x4 on which they were mounted, leaving a gap about 2" x 3" at the end. It never occurred to me that a chicken could get its head out through a gap that narrow, but my favorite silver Araucana proved they can. She just couldn't pull it back again... I found her hanging there the next morning. 
odd poultry deaths
Poultry seem to find a myriad of ways to get themselves killed without any help people and then there are the predators. Its no wonder they live such short lives...on average. Guinea fowl are a bit tougher than the average chicken (thanks be to Mother Nature).
1 of my more beautiful Wheaton colored Game Fowl hens decided to go broody yesterday...on 3 eggs yet! Talk about being in a rush to get things going already.
Geoffrey
Test Nest Project w/ ideas for camouflage
by Heritage Hens , Vermont, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 14:45 @ geoffrey
Geoffrey, how about trying a trellis & arbor motif for the garden area. It might have to be shorter to the ground than a real arbor.
Around here there is wild grape ivy that has long thick runners. I don't know its real name. This would be excellent for weaving in and out of fence material or those wooden slat panels people put around the bottom of their porches.
I'm going to cut some as soon as I can get out there in the woods that border my property. Its very pliable.
grape ivy
Heritage Hens,
That sounds like you're describing the vine called Virginia Creeper. Its often disliked and called an invasive. Personally...I love it! I wish I had planted it 8 years ago...I'd have a 7 ft tall hedge around the place vs a "see through" 5-6 ft tall woven wire fence.
Geoffrey
grape ivy....Honey Suckle!
by David Burton Flint , Mars Hill, NC, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 16:32 @ geoffrey
edited by David Burton Flint, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 05:45
My side hills are clumps of it, and for three years have found eggs there, not more then 100 feet from log coop. I sit on the back porch with a cold one watching through some great binoculars and can see upclose the area, and then mark it with surveyors tape so it is easily spotted all summer long in the thick brush. Then gather some, and always leave 4-6 in there, I know they see me, but they never just left for another.
Like Larry says, you ain't gonna force them to lay where ya want, but I think my older ones will stay to the coop as they did last year. Now the first timers are hanging close to the coop, and even inside most the day, so maybe old Thelma and Louise have talked to them about this! Hey, ya never know!
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David Burton Flint,NC CELTIC BREEZE LANE GUINEA FARM
Born 250 years too late
img: grape vines
by CarlNC , North Carolina, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 04:56 @ David Burton Flint
edited by CarlNC, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:15
Grape vines work great on my outside aviary, providing cooling shade in the summer and GRAPES, and when the leaves fall off in the winter they allow the sun to shine in providing warmth. With natural roosts and the guineas sitting up in the leaves inside the outside run, I know they are comfortable and at least have the "feel" of being outside and free.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201003110455254b98da2d11178.jpg)
Notice the gang at the gate below, When I come outside each day to let them out, I hollar "birdies" and they all run to the gate squealing and chirping with delight.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201003110456234b98da673dcf5.jpg)
grape ivy
by Heritage Hens , Vermont, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:56 @ geoffrey
I will try to find out what it is called here in Vermont. I have never seen grapes on these vines, but not saying there couldn't be berries of some sort.
They wind themselves around other tree trunks, but do not clump together to form a bower of any kind.
I do believe they are considered a pest here, but it has not been a problem for me as long as I don't hit a vine with my lawn mower. People around here weave baskets, wreaths and other crafts with it.
I think I can find some good uses for it inside and outside the barn.
They are garpe vines, I had a large grape arbor in Saratoga Springs , NY when I lived there, so I know they are in your area. Great jelly!
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David Burton Flint,NC CELTIC BREEZE LANE GUINEA FARM
Born 250 years too late
grape ivy - project launched!
by Heritage Hens , Vermont, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 17:12 @ David Burton Flint
With the great pictures posted, I decided to get started. I cleaned out a far corner of the barn, away from the finished coop areas. I lined the nest area with thick branches from a dead apple tree. Then I leaned a wooden pallet, with the boards quite wide apart, against the corner. It makes a kind of lopsided A-frame. I put hay on the floor of the nest area and then leaves that I gathered from an area of the woods where snow has melted. They were dry.
Then I wound grape ivy vines in and out of the rungs of the pallet.
What was really comical is that while I was doing this I had an audience of guineas. They lined up on ladders and cross braces of the barn and watched the whole operation. The chickens didn't give a hoot and were no where to be seen.
I sprinkled hay around the A-frame and then exited that area of the barn. Within seconds, along came a troop of about 5 guineas to investigate. I watched them through a door about 4 feet away. They were so inquisitive but VERY cautious. It was as if they expected booby traps along the way.
We'll see what happens. I'm sure they haven't the foggiest idea what that is about. Most likely I'll find chicken eggs in there tomorrow. But, at least its a lot more au naturelle than my fancy nest box condos.
The way I look at it is that they are paying the price of confinement, here is the frozen North, the least I can do is try to make their existence interesting and accomodating. Besides, I had just plain fun doing it! 
grape ivy - project launched!..Good Job
by David Burton Flint , Mars Hill, NC, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 17:34 @ Heritage Hens
[ No text ]
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David Burton Flint,NC CELTIC BREEZE LANE GUINEA FARM
Born 250 years too late
grape ivy - project launched!
by dickseng , Ellington CT 06029, Friday, March 12, 2010, 09:23 @ Heritage Hens
Besides, I had just plain fun doing it!
I find that is an important part of the process, having fun trying something just to see if it works.
img: Test Nest ; version # 1
Here are a couple photos my 1st prototype test nest.
This version # 1 is made of 2 qty 13" X 18" plywood boards cut from 3/4 inch thick scrap pieces. I used 2 small strips of wood cut 13 inches long but only 2 inches tall from 1/4 inch plywood. They hold the 2 side boards together at the base on the ground level. The upper portion is cage wire stapled to the top of the 2 side boards which is cut to size 19 inches long by 14 inches wide to provide a slight overhang. I use the overhanging wire on all 4 top sides to weave shrubs and strong weeds into the top of the box for the purpose of camouflaging the nest box. This box takes only a few minutes to put together.
![[image]](images/uploaded/201003141323384b9d45ca9381b.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/201003141324154b9d45efdd394.jpg)
These 2 nest boxes are in garden spots. The 1st location is in our flower garden edged by stones. The 2nd location is 15 ft diameter former Koi pond project delayed...now mostly filled in with dirt. Its near the center of our back yard...a pretty darn safe location considering how far from the fence line it is. I'll be putting several test nest boxes in the former Koi pond garden area.
Geoffrey
outside nest boxes
I put together 2 more nest boxes yesterday. I'm making small adjustments to these...a bit less complex as I go. The latest version has only one strap to hold the 2 side wall pieces apart. I used a slightly larger and longer strip of wood at the base and the 2 sides are only 12 inches tall vs. 13-14 inches tall. I attached the cage wire over the top in a curve to elevate the see-through ceiling like a curved roof on a home. I sewed or strung several pieces of cedar branches through the cage wire top to give the overhead surface the feeling of shrubbery over a nesting bird. This one is also placed in my garden along the fence line. There's lots of room for more there since the garden is roughly 125-150 ft long...but only 20 inches wide.
It will be interesting whether the guineas find these hiding places comfortable or not for nest spots.
Geoffrey
outside nest boxes - good pictures of great projects
by Heritage Hens , Vermont, Monday, March 15, 2010, 13:00 @ geoffrey
Thank you for sharing, Geoffrey. These look good whether in a cultivated garden or out in the woods. Not only is it good to recycle some old pieces of wood, I think they have more character and outdoors feeling to them.
img: Test Nest ; version # 1
I put #5 together this afternoon. These things are all 2 sided with the cage wire top and a 14 inch wide brace to hold the side pieces erect. The weather was nice here today...over 60f degrees and quite sunny. If the weather stays this nice I should have a few more done this week. I expect to have a dozen of them here in remote spots around the yard.
Geoffrey
Test Nest ; version # 1
My test nest project appears to be working. 5 days in a row...3 eggs or more daily in the 5 nests from just 6 guinea hens (7th hen will be here soon). If they lay every other day...that means ALL 6 guinea hens are laying in the nest boxes. I'll be putting together 2 more and set them in enticing locations. I feel like I tricked the guinea hens into laying where I want them to lay. The pasture on the other side of the fence is nearly bare...with 175 Rambouillet sheep grazing it down to the dirt.
Test Nest ; version # 1
The nest boxes I built in February and March and have set on the ground in my gardens are clearly a good idea. I put a couple chicken eggs in each of them in the early morning to "salt" the spot. The guinea hens sorta figure if there's a couple eggs in the nest already...that the nest location must be a good one and where they ought to lay their eggs too. It like I'm tricking them into laying where I want. With 4 eggs today out of 6 hens...its pretty clear they're convinced. I've got photos of these nest boxes up. I have to admit the guinea hens have been losing out on the 17 acres surrounding our 3 acre compound. The herd of sheep on the other side of the compound fence have eaten all the grass down to the dirt almost. There's no place to hide an egg from the ravens circling above....and the guinea hens know it. Their only choice is inside the fence in a garden spot that is well hidden. Those chicken eggs really make them believe they've found the ideal location.
Geoffrey
