food question

[embkm]

Do guineas need more protein in their food than chickens? Will they start feather picking if they don't get enough protein?

 

[Willowbrook]

You don't say if your guineas are pen kept or free range.
Yes, they do need a higher protein food and I would suggest game bird crumbles or pellets, whichever they will eat. Mine prefer the crumbles.
Mine are also free range so they have access to an unlimited number of insects and what not so their protein level is supplemented this way.
Actually, free range guineas eat far less food that you provide and seem to get more of their food/nutrients from grazing.
Even though mine free range, they come to the barn daily for at least a little food.

 

[embkm]

I have 1 guinea hen in my pen with 6 hens and a banty roo. I wish I could let her free range, but I live in a subdivison. There are no leash laws here and most of my neighbors let their dogs wander.

I really should have researched guineas better before I got her, but when we went to buy the chickens my youngest daughter saw her and just loved her.

I am asking about protein because all of the chickens are losing feathers but she isn't. I thought they were molting, but egg production is still high.

 

[Willowbrook]

Melissa,
Your chickens might be losing feathers simply because of moulting.
Your guinea will moult also, but with a different schedule.
The guinea can certainly eat chicken food and not be any worse for wear. Ideally, a higher protein would be best, but since it's only one bird, you don't have to change the diet.
Should you chose to feed your chickens game bird crumbles, they would do fine also.
All of my birds, chickens, peafowl, turkeys, ducks and guineas eat game bird crumbles and pellets along with wheat and corn during the winter months.
Your guinea will be fine.