Can keets be raised in a barn?

[Nash37212]

Hi all! This is my first post. The title says it all, can my keets be raised in a barn with a premier heating plate? I was planning to raise them with my chicks, but (surprise!) they all positively freak out when I stick my hand in there and it’s making my chicks freak out, haha. Wild little things! Plus they’re growing bigger than my chicks so fast! Anyway, they’re not quite 2 weeks old. Can they be raised with the heat plate in the run-in shed area where I hope they eventually choose to roost? Or do they need to be inside a temperature controlled house for 8 weeks?

 

[Kizmet]

If they’re safe and have heating it should be fine. Just make sure they have food and water close by and that they definitely know where the heat is. Maybe put a barrier around a small area until they learn.

 

[sourland]

As long as the barn is draft free they should be fine with a heating plate.

 

[R2elk]

Hi all! This is my first post. The title says it all, can my keets be raised in a barn with a premier heating plate? I was planning to raise them with my chicks, but (surprise!) they all positively freak out when I stick my hand in there and it’s making my chicks freak out, haha. Wild little things! Plus they’re growing bigger than my chicks so fast! Anyway, they’re not quite 2 weeks old. Can they be raised with the heat plate in the run-in shed area where I hope they eventually choose to roost? Or do they need to be inside a temperature controlled house for 8 weeks?

Keets can be raised anywhere in a brooder type setting that is the proper temperature for their age and is secure from predators. With as small as keets are, they are in danger even from mice and rats.

I do not recommend raising keets with chicks due to the problems that develop later on because of the imprinting caused by the chicks.

 

[Kizmet]

I do not recommend raising keets with chicks due to the problems that develop later on because of the imprinting caused by the chicks.

What problems do you mean? I’ve always raised mine together.

 

[R2elk]

What problems do you mean? I’ve always raised mine together.

Keets raised with chickens lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between them and the chickens. When breeding season comes around the guineas start their racing and attacking from behind while either pulling or breaking off feathers. Chickens do not understand this kind of behavior and can become very stressed.

 

[Kizmet]

Keets raised with chickens lose the ability to understand that there is a difference between them and the chickens. When breeding season comes around the guineas start their racing and attacking from behind while either pulling or breaking off feathers. Chickens do not understand this kind of behavior and can become very stressed.

Hmm, I didn’t know that. I haven’t had any issues with mine but I’ll put the keets in a different brooder next time around. Thanks

 

[Nash37212]

Wow, thanks for all the information, everyone! To protect them from mice, what sort of covering should my keet brooder have? Is hardware cloth acceptable?

 

[R2elk]

Wow, thanks for all the information, everyone! To protect them from mice, what sort of covering should my keet brooder have? Is hardware cloth acceptable?

Hardware cloth that is no bigger than 1/4" mesh should work.

 

[Nash37212]

Okay, I have another question. I moved the 10 keets to my insulated tack room yesterday instead of the run in. They slept under their 16x24 heat plate last night (I check on them before bed), but tonight they’re piled up in the opposite corner of the brooder. The low tonight is 58. It’s definitely warmer in there as it was in the 70s today and I left the door open until late afternoon. Do I worry??? Or will they figure it out??