Guineas - Part 12 - Overwinter Report

Warren the Rooster - RIP

I'm down to four Guineas, and three Chickens.

Over the winter we lost Warren the rooster, one of the West Nile chickens and one of the Guineas.

The two chickens died, about three weeks apart, and the guinea just didn't return home one evening, so we're not sure what happened.

The remaining guineas are, conveniently, two male and two female, and have paired off.


First Guinea Egg

Today, I found my first guinea egg. The large brown one is from the remaining West Nile chicken, and the two large white ones are from the two leghorn chickens we rescued last summer.

Remaining West Nile Sentinel Chicken

The remaining small, brownish one is the guinea egg. I found it in the same communal laying spot that the chickens use. We'll see if the other female uses that area, as well. Besides size, there's not much difference between the chicken and guinea eggs, although the guinea eggs are said to be higher in protein, by weight, and their whites whip up faster for a meringue, supposedly, according to the book. And unlike chickens, they'll only produce eggs seasonally, now through September. I'll let you know if there is any difference in flavor. More here.

One Pair

Group Photo

Blondie and Her Mate

UPDATE: Sunday, April 1, 2012 - I ate the egg pictured above this morning for breakfast.  The shell is much tougher, and thicker than chicken eggs, and took a harder whack to crack.  Yolk was the same size as chicken eggs, but there seemed to be less white, and the yolk was a deeper yellow, almost orange color.  Tasted like an egg - no discernible difference in flavor to my taste buds.