Guineas and Broiler chicks in brooder ok? and guinea coop question

[jobear]

We are picking 3 guinea keets and 12 'broiler' chicks next week. Can we raise them initially in the brooder together? From what I understand the guineas should eat high protein food and so do the broilers correct? Then I can just take the broilers out when ready and leave the guineas in the brooder until they are big enough? Can the guineas continue to eat the broiler food and share a coop/run with them until the broilers are gone? (8-10 wks).
I also didn't see anything about the coop needed for guineas..is it the same as for layers chickens? We have 14 layers and I don't think there is enough room in their coop for the 3 guineas...wondering how much space they need, or height for evening roost compared with chickens.
And when the 'guineas 101' stated that you should shut them in for 6-10 weeks before letting them free range during the day, does that mean in the COOP or the COOP/RUN area? Thanks for any insight!!

 

[Lollipop]

I don`t see any reason why the keets can`t eat broiler ration. As long as there is adequate room they should be fine together. Guineas feather out quickly and by 2 weeks they will be flying around the brooder like knats, so you`ll need to cover the brooder before that time. Later on they don`t need a tremendous amount of room and can roost anywhere, but I think your question pertained to letting them free range. They should be penned until they have been roosting for at least a week, then they will return at night. Doesn`t matter if it`s the coop or run, but the run is fine after they are feathered. The first 2 weeks are the critical part. After that they can pretty much take care of themselves and are usually impervious to most weather conditions. They are extremely noisey for the first 4-6 months, then they seem to settle down a little and are more quiet, unless alarmed. Guineas are entertainers and never cease to be a source of amusement. Have fun with yours.......Pop

 

[Lollipop]

BTW jo, you should always get more guineas than you think you need. The reason is their exposure to predators. This last batch of mine I started with 20. One died and 8 more have been taken by predators. This since July. The rest have been intact for a few months.......Pop

 

[afeatherfan]

I would think the broiler chicks would mash them guinea keets are very small .