I've hatched them before, but I've always given away my day old chicks since we lived in town. I had 7 guineas hatch a few days ago. Are they supposed to be so tweaky? I change the water and they think the world's going to end and trample each other to get away from my hand.
Mine do the same thing. I moved their brooder nearer the sofa, so I could keep an eye on one. When my BF is just sitting here, they do that 'I need to be in the corner' thing. I'm worried they're going to hurt each other sometimes. I've been trying to handle them twice a day. Sometimes I think it's making things better, sometimes not so much. I have two older keets that were at least a month old when I brought them home. I can't get anywhere near them. They panic and fly into the walls of the coop. It's sad and really dangerous, so I just change the food and water and get the heck out of there.
Try handling them once or twice a day and don't make sudden movements around them. the will slowly get used to you. it works for me!
They do take more time. My four were extremely tame and I loved that. Saw a mama guinea and her three half grown keets on the way home froma yard sale today. Saw freeranging chickens and guineas there, too. I miss my goonie-birds so much.
They are absolutely more skittish than chicks. As suggested, just continue to gently hold them several times a day. We did that but still have a hard time getting close to them now (they are almost four months old) although they don't freak out and fly into everything trying to get away now. I don't know how speckledhen got hers so tame.... I think she carried them around 24/7 and even slept with them!
Hope y'all don't mind a dumb question - but whats a 'guinea keet'? I've heard of 'guinea hens' - not that I know what they are - are keets just the chicks of that breed?
A keet is a baby guinea - like a chick is a baby chicken. My little keets are wild when they get to the brooder. They zip around like their butt is on fire.
Miss Prissy..i really hate to ask such a dumb question.......but..are Guinea Hens actually chickens?...and if so..what do they call the males?..sorry..Wendy
No guinea hens are not chickens. They are female guineas. Let me find you a photo of mine. They look nothing like chickens on the outside. The are also a finer meat than chickens. Delicious.
