BYC Guinea hen club

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My proof of entry :p
 

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First time hatching eggs on my own, and my first seven were due today! One strong (and large) keet was born on Saturday afternoon and five more hatched yesterday. I couldn't be more excited! I really had no confidence that any would hatch, but so far 6/7 are happy and moved into brooder. We will see what happens with egg #7, it pipped yesterday, but has been a slow go.

Our first egg to pip, we actually ended up having to help, as he made himself a nickle size hole but didn't make any progress for almost 20 hours. I figured out his membrane (i think im using correct term) was drying out and he was pretty much stuck (I increased humidity once i realized this). I was really nervous about help him, but we were gentle and his thriving now.

I've got another two dozen due over the next three weeks, so I am hoping to see similar success, but won't get my hopes up too high!

A few photos attached (don't mind the temp being at 91, we had just had the light moved a bit and were putting the last four keets into the brooder, we're holding steady at 95 under normal circumstances). 5 keets.jpg Keet#1.jpg
 
Hello! I have been reading the post and researching for some info. But first I would like to share some of my experiences. My daughter gave me my first 12 RIR chicks for Mother's Day last year. I lost one. Then in August I bought some more RIR (15 puppets and 1 roo). Then the end of August I bought 10 keets (5 pearl and 5 white). When I moved the guineas out I put them in a portable dog pen with a top on it and a 2x2 through the chain link for a roosting pole. They did very well. We had to move the dog pen every once in a while. Their pen was next to the chicken's yard. And I was also letting the chickens free range. Then we got the guinea house built. Kept the guineas locked up for a several weeks before attempting to let free range. I tried it a few times and it was a nightmare. They kept wanting to fly over the fence on my neighbors. One neighbor has 2 pit bulls. The other has 4 large dogs that run loose. I am disabled and after chasing them back in my yard several times a day. I finally put them on lock down for a good while. Then I decided they cannot live like this. This was not there nature. They were born to be free and it defeated the purpose of keeping the insects down especially the ticks. They free range now, but I think they have learned their territory. Yes they will still occasionally go over the fence. But they want back in and if you do have to chase them they are much more cooperative. As far as getting along with the chickens.... my rooster rules the roost. They will be running and chasing each other like guineas do and the roo put a stop to it. It is quite the zoo around here sometimes. And then you throw in my little yorkie. She is always chasing after mice. In and out of the guinea house and chicken house. I had a hen hatch out 10 chicks and she wanted to chase them. She learned real quick that would not be allowed. I only had to scold her really bad one time and she left them alone. I have a guinea sitting on a clutch of eggs that should hatch out around the 4th.
 
Now for my question. I use the valbazen to worm my chickens and that is quite the chore. But when it comes to guineas, I don't know. They are so difficult to catch even in their house. What is the best wormer to use on my guineas?? They won't let just anybody go in there house with them. I want them to stay healthy.
 

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