Guinea keets.

[BabyBird2012]

I have 2 guinea keets someone gave me. They are both eating and drinking good. One shakes really bad. It has no balance. Every time it walks around it is constantly falling over. They are only about 7 or 8 days old. It doesn't shake when it is sleeping. The day after I got it. It's eye was matted shut. I have a heat light on them and I am giveing it antibiotic water but it doesn't seem to be changeing anything. It eats and drinks good.

 

[PeepsCA]

I would stop the antibiotics in the water and try adding poultry vitamins to their water instead and make sure they have high protein starter feed to eat not chick starter, it may be a nutrient deficiency of some kind. If the eye is still sticking shut you can use a dab of plain neosporin in it 2-3 times a day (without the pain relief ingredient in it). Keep them warm, but not too warm, (about 85-90 degrees under the glow of the lamp), and make sure they can get away from the heat if they need to.

Good luck, hope it pulls thru

 

[BabyBird2012]

I will stop the antibiotics tomorrow and try the vitamin water. The eye only stuck that one day. I took a warm wet rag and got it apart. Do you think I should use medicated chick starter?? They are in a pretty big tub where they can get away from the heat. Thanks for the advice. The other baby is very healthy. They came from the same batch. I have never had guineas before so I am kind of new to them. I have hatched and raised many chickens and ducks. I figured it was about the same. I have never came across anything like this.

 

[PeepsCA]

Turkey, Pheasant or Game Bird starter that's medicated with Amprolium is what's recommended for keets. Other types of medications that are in starter feeds can kill your keets, so if you can't find one with Amprolium then I'd opt for something un-medicated. Chick starter does not have enough protein in it to help the keets to grow and feather fast... in my experience keets do a lot better on 27% or higher.

It would not hurt them to mix a little plain unsweetened yogurt in with some of their crumbles for a few days )or give them some probiotics) to repopulate their guts with good bacteria that the antibiotics most likely wiped out. I'd also dip his beak in the water w/vitamins on and off throughout the day for a while so you know he's getting a good dose of the vitamins, as well as plenty to drink.


Equilibrium issues can be from a nutrient deficiency, but can also be a symptom of a hard hatch or worst case scenario a genetic defect... hard to say what you are dealing with but just make sure he's eating, drinking and that he's plenty warm and hope for the best.