Recent content by eleaf

  1. eleaf

    Is anyone using the Premier "heat plate" brooder for chicks?

    I think they're getting it. I've been down twice in the last hour, and most were under the plate. Saw one come out, grab a snack from the feeder, a sip of water, then go right back. Just as it should. Can't wait to get the new brooder built and in the basement. Life will be much easier for...
  2. eleaf

    Is anyone using the Premier "heat plate" brooder for chicks?

    No. Just regular cheeping. But also, to clear things up a smidge, I'm talking about guinea keets, not chicks. At this age there's not much difference. They just want warmth, food, and water. But the keets are noticeably more skittish, and seemingly WAY more fragile. I went down a few minutes...
  3. eleaf

    Is anyone using the Premier "heat plate" brooder for chicks?

    I sure hope they figure it out. They seem adamant on running out from under it as soon as I get it under. I've only gone down once and seen 1 underneath without coaxing. The rest are all huddled up under where the light was. Gonna move the plate there. If they don't catch on, I'm gonna have to...
  4. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    Nope. Everything looks normal.
  5. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    I sure hope things are under control! Things do seem to have leveled out. Everyone is eating and drinking happily. They're aware and rambunctious. I've introduced them to a Premier heat plate and I'll be turning their lamp off tomorrow.
  6. eleaf

    Is anyone using the Premier "heat plate" brooder for chicks?

    I have week old chicks that have been using a lamp. I put the Premier in today and they seem to prefer the lamp, likely because of familiarity. What's the best way to transition them? Just turn off the lamp and help them find it?
  7. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    I'm feeding them game starter. They're on construction sand. I've just started putting electrolytes/vitamins and probiotics in their water to help them out more too. I think the light was too low and they were getting too hot under the light, and too cold when they would fall asleep outside of...
  8. eleaf

    Using Artificial Turf In The Brooder?

    My only concern with artificial turf would be the keets pecking at and eating the fake grass.
  9. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    They know about it. They even extended their guarantee period for me, and they've made everything right by me. I'm thinking part of the problem is they were stressed and many had formed bad cases of pasty butt. It's getting better. I can say, however, that these keets REALLY like it after I...
  10. eleaf

    Keets and then more keets

    Thanks. I figured there'd be problems with a 3 week difference, and if we could have gotten more this week I probably would have done it. But we decided to wait until these current chicks are outside before we receive more. But we will be getting a second batch before the season's out.
  11. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    That's why we're getting another batch before the season is out. Hopefully we can fix whatever problem we're having. We've raised several batches of chicks in this exact setup and never had a single loss. As of this morning we have 7 dead keets since Thursday (leaving 11 total). I've already...
  12. eleaf

    Raising Guinea Fowl 101

    Can I introduce Day old keets to a group of 3 week old keets? Or should I wait and get more keets later in the season?
  13. eleaf

    Keets and then more keets

    I currently have a new set of 5 day old keets. With 5 having died in 2 days I need to make sure I have enough guineas come spring that they will fulfill their purpose of helping control ticks. With that in mind, I'm considering ordering more keets before the season is out to ensure I have a...
  14. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    Yes, they were mailed. And I'm sure that it's stressful enough. I also figured it wasn't sand that was the problem, but using play sand. It's definitely moist. It comes that way. Feels like the sand on a wet beach. I'd used it with chicks and never had problems. But guineas seem more sensitive...
  15. eleaf

    Keets Dying

    Hello, This is my first time raising keets. We received an order of 18 on 8/4. 4 have already died from unexplained deaths, and one drowning. They're in a feeding trough on sand. The light is on one end and keeping at 95 degrees (cooler on the other end). No draft. Game bird starter (30%...
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