Guinea fowl walking head close to body

[Nathaliexx]

Be careful giving mealworms to any poultry. They are 50% protein and if given in too much quantity, they can cause kidney problems. All items considered treats should not exceed a total of more than 10% of all of the feed given.

Oh no, i don’t give too much (not even daily).
But i do have to look for more protein food (over here they only have these crumble for showbirds, but i’m wondering what to feed them besides that).
I don’t have experiences with vitamines.

 

[R2elk]

Oh no, i don’t give too much (not even daily).
But I do have to look for more protein food (over here they only have these crumble for showbirds, but I’m wondering what to feed them besides that).
I don’t have experiences with vitamins.

Once they are adults the protein isn't really an issue. They can do well on 16% protein but will do better on 20% protein. Show bird crumbles usually are higher than average in protein and usually are also higher in the lysine, methionine and niacin that guineas need. It may well be a viable feed for you.

Many of the commercial vitamin mixes such as Nutri-Drench are easily mixed in the water. When using them do not mix anything else in the water.

 

[Nathaliexx]

Once they are adults the protein isn't really an issue. They can do well on 16% protein but will do better on 20% protein. Show bird crumbles usually are higher than average in protein and usually are also higher in the lysine, methionine and niacin that guineas need. It may well be a viable feed for you.

Many of the commercial vitamin mixes such as Nutri-Drench are easily mixed in the water. When using them do not mix anything else in the water.

Thank you so much for the advise/info. Maybe i’m gonna try that Nutri-Drench -if we have it over here- just in case..

 

[Littleflock1]

Hello,
Unfortunately she has gotten much worse. She almost doesn't walk anymore. Any ideas what it could be?
We had another guinea fowl die a few weeks ago, but she didn't have the same symptoms. It looked as if she had a swollen vent, but the vet said that she wasn't egg bound. Maybe it's a parasite?

 

[R2elk]

Hello,
Unfortunately she has gotten much worse. She almost doesn't walk anymore. Any ideas what it could be?
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Guinea hens that are laying can have a tendency to develop a calcium deficiency. One of the signs is a loss of motor function which means the inability to walk or even stand up. Calcium deficiency can be caused by insufficient calcium available or a vitamin D deficiency causing the hen's body to not be able to properly absorb the calcium.

Make sure she has calcium available. The quickest way for a hen to get her calcium levels up is to give it to her in a liquid form mixed in her water. Make sure that no males have access to the water as the high calcium amounts can be harmful to their kidneys.

 

[Littleflock1]

Guinea hens that are laying can have a tendency to develop a calcium deficiency. One of the signs is a loss of motor function which means the inability to walk or even stand up. Calcium deficiency can be caused by insufficient calcium available or a vitamin D deficiency causing the hen's body to not be able to properly absorb the calcium.

Make sure she has calcium available. The quickest way for a hen to get her calcium levels up is to give it to her in a liquid form mixed in her water. Make sure that no males have access to the water as the high calcium amounts can be harmful to their kidneys.

We do have oyster shells available for them.
Last summer we had two other guinea hens and we didn't have any shells, but both were in good health.
She's a broiler type guinea fowl and she's quite fat.

 

[R2elk]

We do have oyster shells available for them.
Last summer we had two other guinea hens and we didn't have any shells, but both were in good health.
She's a broiler type guinea fowl and she's quite fat.

Not every guinea hen can absorb calcium properly. I have at least one that will not eat oyster shell from the feeder but will eat it from the ground. If it has a vitamin D deficiency, it won't be able to utilize the calcium properly.

 

[Littleflock1]

Hi again,
We tried to give her vitamin D, but she doesn't drink. I haven't seen her eat either. She opens her beak when breathing and makes a weird weak noise doing that.
Any ideas?
e: just went to check her - she was dead.

 

[Unicornlife3316]

Hi again,
We tried to give her vitamin D, but she doesn't drink. I haven't seen her eat either. She opens her beak when breathing and makes a weird weak noise doing that.
Any ideas?
e: just went to check her - she was dead.

So sorry for your loss

 

[Nathaliexx]

Hi again,
We tried to give her vitamin D, but she doesn't drink. I haven't seen her eat either. She opens her beak when breathing and makes a weird weak noise doing that.
Any ideas?
e: just went to check her - she was dead.

I’m so sorry for your loss
Sorry i haven’t replied lately, our leghorn Diva is also sick.
She’s on antibiotics now, seems like it’s working, but i’m afraid to say that out loud.