Impromptu keet food??

[PeepsCA]

I have a question about food, I have 6 16-18 wk old keets and have been feeding them scratch and turkey
mulch mixed. I seen domething about layer pellets and oyster shell. I could sure use advice what to feed them at this
age. Thanks so much

Layer feed with a minimum of 16% protein is fine as a staple diet for Guineas that age. I'd cut back on the scratch you give them tho, it's basically junk food and lowers their dietary protein down too much, and IMO should only be fed in small amounts as a treat only.

I always provide oyster shell free choice to my flocks once they are 12-14 wks old (which is also when I switch them over to a layer feed), before the Hens start laying. Guinea eggs produce incredibly thick shelled eggs, and the Hens DO need the supplemental calcium or they will have to pull it from their body and bones... which will eventually take it's toll on the Hens, decreasing their productivity and it also increase the chances of other issues developing with their egg laying. Lack of calcium in their diet increases the possibility that they can break a thin shelled egg as they try to lay it and end up with egg yolk peritonitis, which is often fatal. Plenty of calcium also helps reduce the chances of a Hen becoming egg bound.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

1 day and 9 hours late w/ this suggestion, but ... if not *too* late: Consider moving/pinning her up, if you can, or at least ringing the area she's nesting in w/ fencing, so as to protect her eggs. And, snatch all hatchlings, 'cause they're lousy about leaving/losing their young.

 

[Oceanseve]

I tried to shield her tonight and she would have none of it. She wouldn't stay on her nest after I did it So I changed my plan and minorly sheltered her. She was willing to put up with that. I'm tempted to steal them and incubate, but I don't trust my skills.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I've no personal experience w/ this, but have read that they tend to accumulate prior to nesting. And, that they tend to drag hatchlings into bad situations (wet grasses 'n such). Noticed you had some chickens -- any broody hen(s) you could sneak some under? Short of that, I'd either move the nest into an enclosure 'til they're hatched out, or steal 'em during the night for incubation. Or, if you rely upon nature? Watch for 'em to hatch, and move 'em to the brooder.

That's just my thoughts, but PeepsCA or some of these other more experienced folks might be able to give you far better advice. Again? My opinions are mostly based upon research alone, which ain't always so correct as the direct voice(s) of experience.

 

[Oceanseve]

I intend to steal them as soon as they hatch. I'm willing to bet these five were part of a much larger clutch that met it's doom. My first and second incubations were not good % wise so I would hate to take over and fail. If I have any broody hens they are out of sight (we free range) Forunately this guinea is right beside the barn we just didn't notice her. Now that I know she's there I'm checking on her multiple times a day to see if anything is out yet. I'll post here as soon as something changes

 

[Danisclan]

So just layer pellets with oyster shelll? Now thats the same layer pellets that I give my chickens?
They free range during the day so get alot of good bugs and other things!
Thanks again Peeps!

 

[cowcreekgeek]

I intend to steal them as soon as they hatch. I'm willing to bet these five were part of a much larger clutch that met it's doom. My first and second incubations were not good % wise so I would hate to take over and fail. If I have any broody hens they are out of sight (we free range) Forunately this guinea is right beside the barn we just didn't notice her. Now that I know she's there I'm checking on her multiple times a day to see if anything is out yet. I'll post here as soon as something changes

Convenient location, close to your home; w/ my luck, mine will pick spots along the edges of the high pasture and/or hay field ...

I've a system that senses changes in video camera inputs, which is (in my application) programmed to identify (and respond only to) human movement. But, I tend to over-complicate everything ... wonder:

What if you installed two or three of the cheaper motion lights, so that coverages of each overlap slightly, and adjusted them such that they come on briefly even when small animals enter the area? Might disrupt her sleep a bit, esp. if you added a buzzer/bell, but would give her a far better chance againt night-time predation.

:: edit ::
speak of the devils? coyotes are here

 

[Oceanseve]

Our predators we have problems with here are fox, skunk and racoon. I got the night eyes lights on the front of the barn. I think that's perhaps why she's been safe thus far. The last time they had a nest it was behind the barn and they were all eaten. I've been incredibly happy with the night eyes, very low key and they seem to work. The only thing we've noticed going in and out of the barn itself are snakes. She is barely outside the door by an old piece of fencing that has overgrown grass. Fingers crossed they'll all make it!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Layer feed with a minimum of 16% protein is fine as a staple diet for Guineas that age. I'd cut back on the scratch you give them tho, it's basically junk food and lowers their dietary protein down too much, and IMO should only be fed in small amounts as a treat only.

I always provide oyster shell free choice to my flocks once they are 12-14 wks old (which is also when I switch them over to a layer feed), before the Hens start laying. Guinea eggs produce incredibly thick shelled eggs, and the Hens DO need the supplemental calcium or they will have to pull it from their body and bones... which will eventually take it's toll on the Hens, decreasing their productivity and it also increase the chances of other issues developing with their egg laying. Lack of calcium in their diet increases the possibility that they can break a thin shelled egg as they try to lay it and end up with egg yolk peritonitis, which is often fatal. Plenty of calcium also helps reduce the chances of a Hen becoming egg bound.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

My new guineas are 16-18 weeks old this week. They are still eating a combo of 26 % starter & 15% game bird flight conditioner. I can also get 18% gamebird & turkey breeder pellets for the next bag. Should I start to put out oyster shell now even though they probably won't lay until spring? When my feed is gone should I go for the 18% breeder pellet for the winter? This feed is from a local mill & the 18% will not be much more expensive than regular layer feed, so I plan to use that for the guineas since they seem to be OK with pellets. So oyster now or not and breeder for the winter or wait until spring?

 

[PeepsCA]

I'd provide the oyster shell now, free choice. They will eat what they need. The 18% breeder pellets would be fine for winter, and then just start mixing in layer feed to wean them over in the early Spring before they start laying (I'm not sure what the calcium content is in the breeder pellets, but if they contain as much as a normal layer feed... at least 3%... then you can just keep them on that as their staple diet if you want... your choice). You may see some loose stools with any quick food changes, so try to do it gradually, before you run out of what they are currently eating.