Do you raise guineas the same way as chickens?

[kathyinmo]

I know nothing about guineas. My neighbor would like me to hatch some for him. My question is: Are they the same as chicks? Do they need a heat lamp at 95* the first week, and decrease 5* each week? Is the care different for guineas in any other way? Feed?
Thanks, Kathy

 

[Guinea Goonie]

hello:

Go ahead and take the plunge. Guinea keets are cute and they require the same restrictions and needs as a chicken chick.

For the first two weeks they are actually a bit less hardy that a chick, but the require chick starter, water and TLC.

After two weeks, keets are very hardy, much more so than a chick.

You can start using starter and game bird feed in a 50/50 mix and after about 8 weeks when they start "calling" you can go to straight game bird feed and start mixing in poultry grain or even horse 7 percent feed.

At 12 weeks they SHOULD go to free range so you will enjoy the fruits of your labor which is a tick free property.

These birds will "work" for you and clean your property of any annoying insects including grasshopers.

It is hat this point that you only need to feed them some poultry grain for energy and fresh, clean water every day.

 

[kathyinmo]

Thanks. I do appreciate the information.
I can keep them in with chickens, right?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Sure, just treat them like you would the chicks.

They get alone just fine with other species if you raise them
with that species.

Just remember that a keet needs MORE protein after 2 weeks that a chick does, but the chicks can eat the same as the keets as long as it is not 100 percent game bird feed.

Be sure to keep very clean and fresh water for your keets. They seem to be rather particular about the watering.

Keet WILL smell more than chicks becuase of the protein increase. Change their bedding often as the smell can get rather pungent.