Guinea Keets and Broody Hens

[Grandmother Goose]

I have just purchased 15 guinea keets and they are currently about 3 days old. I also have 4 broody Jersey Giant Hens in my coop. Is it possible to put them together? If so, when would I be safe to start (the keets seem very fragile) should I wait a while? Also, how would I go about doing this so the chickens are most likely to accept them. I have been gathering the eggs, but the hens refuse to move for the last several weeks. The other big concern is the rooster, would he harm the keets? Oh, also, the temperatures have been averaging 70-75 daytime and 50 nightime. I guess I had more questions than I thought. Thanks

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
How long have your broody hens been broody? It is possible to graft guinea keets to a chicken hen. From what I understand the guinea keets will grow up to be a bit quieter than a keet raised by a guinea hen.

Due to the size of the hens and the size of the keets I would wait a couple of days before you try to slip them under the hens at night after removing eggs from under them. Your broody hens should only be setting on fake eggs and not real eggs.

No rooster in my flock has ever harmed chick. They're always very curious about them, very gentle with them, and if the mother lets them they enjoy feeding the chicks.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to byc. Since they are 3 days old, I'd try and give them to the broodies now.
If they get much older, they will not bond with the mother hens, and vice versa.

 

[janiedoe]

I've never had a rooster bother a chick either.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

You've been given some great advice above, best wishes with your flock!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. I would foster them to one of the hens in a restricted area. Guinea fowl and chickens speak a different language so 3 day old keets may be harder to imprint to a chicken hen. Monitor introduction closely.

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome. I have never had a rooster do anything to a chick but try to take care of it.

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here in this poultry lovers community.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska! The Best of Luck with your Guinea Keet's.