Has she been setting eggs in the last few days/weeks? If so, you might wait until night time, then, in the dark, remove the eggs one at a time and substitute a chick for the egg. In the morning, she'll have 'hatched' her clutch, hurray! I've never tried it, but others on this forum have and reported success. I'd have a brooder box all ready to go anyway, just in case she isn't fooled and tries to run away from the chicks--some hens will panic and try to get away, assuming that they have stumbled upon another hen's babies and are about to get their butts kicked. :) Velvet ~:>

^^^^What everyone else said. Also, make sure that they are not only kept warm but in a place free of drafts. The enclosure they are in should be strong enough to withstand attack by a predator--if you can tear it down with your bare hands, so can a predator. Use hardware cloth or something similar, chicken wire is horribly flimsy and predators tear right through it or worse, REACH right through it to eat the chickens--they don't even have to knock it down. I generally turn my youngsters out into the flock at 2 months old. I've got more info on my chicken site as to the 'Meet & Greets' I like to have before I turn the chicks into the flock, I've found it reduces the amount of bullying and pecking order beatings that can occur otherwise. http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChickHensBroodiesChicks.htm Also here: http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChickIntroducingNewBirdsToFlock.htm I don't have experience with Guineas, so I can't tell you if they tolerate youngsters well or are aggressive and need to be watched. By the way, those chicks are going to outgrow that cage in a hurry, if momma won't fit in it. You might plan on creating a small enclosure for them. Good luck and enjoy your chicks! :) Velvet ~:>

You had a great butterfly day! I hope you get photos of the Monarchs, the little blues, and all of the other butterflies that find your garden -- and post them here. Can't wait to see them. geni

Just a few hours later - when I first opened the box there were 3 gaping beaks - but the 3rd went right back to sleep immediately, joining 2 others that have been sleeping everytime I've looked in. I know this is "old hat" to some of you, but to me it's exciting because when I had them at my other place I didn't have a camera that would take good photos of them. I'm hooked! :o)