HELP with baby guineas

[dlg4742]

I try not to bother my little guineas too much. Clean bedding, food and fresh water everyday. But one was laying still today when I picked him up he had a big glob of poo stuck to his rear. I took q-tips and soaked it off and dried him really well. I don't think he will make it. So then I checked the other 5's bottom. Another had a huge glob stuck to his behind. I soaked it off and he seems fine. Help why is this happening???

 

[AlienChick]

How old are they and are they being kept warm enough?
Guineas typically 'need' the heat more so than chicks.

 

[dlg4742]

heat lamp 24/7 dry they are 3 weeks old

 

[bradselig]

Whats the temperature you are maintaining for the keets? Even though the light is on 24/7, that doesnt mean that it is providing the correct temperature. My experience is more with reptiles than poultry, but regardless of species, getting the correct (and accurate) temp is key for a bird or reptile to thrive.

I have had experience with Pasty Butt with both guinea keets and chicks. The guineas came to me with it. Once I got it removed and them back under correct temps, I didnt have any more issues. With the chicks, it was due to a drastic drop in temps outside (chicks kept in draft free garage) and the heat lamp wasnt putting out enough heat. Once I got an accurate measure of the temperature with an Infrared temp gun, I was able to correct the situation and eliminate the pasty butt.

 

[dlg4742]

Thank you so much what temp??

 

[wolfpak]

Guineas 1st week - 95 degrees, measured at floor level under lamp
2nd week - 90 degrees
3rd week - 85 degrees
4th week - 80 degrees

As long as they have an area to go to to get away from the heat, its okay if its a little warmer directly under the lamp, but not over about 97 or so. I hang a heatlamp at one end of a large stock tank. If they're warm they lay more towards the cool end, if they're cold, more towards the hot end. They'll self regulate that way.

Also at 3 weeks these little beasties can FLY, so you need to have a top on your brooder area. I use some 2x4 inch heavy woven fencing, as it will not be affected by the heatlamp directly above it!

 

[dlg4742]

Thank you