Keets pecking toes

[saskmomma4]

I hatched out some keets this week and in the incubator when only 2 were hatched the biggest keet started pecking the smaller ones toes. He had been hatched for 2 days already by then so I thought maybe he was just hungry so I quickly reached in, tossed some wet paper towels in to keep humidity level and got him out to food and water in the brooder. Now I had 3 more keets in the bator and they joined Mr pecky in the brooder.. and guess what back to pecking toes. It appears like one is getting red toes from the pecking but they are all pecking each other. Is this normal behavior for guineas? If not any advice on stopping it.

 

[R2elk]

I hatched out some keets this week and in the incubator when only 2 were hatched the biggest keet started pecking the smaller ones toes. He had been hatched for 2 days already by then so I thought maybe he was just hungry so I quickly reached in, tossed some wet paper towels in to keep humidity level and got him out to food and water in the brooder. Now I had 3 more keets in the bator and they joined Mr pecky in the brooder.. and guess what back to pecking toes. It appears like one is getting red toes from the pecking but they are all pecking each other. Is this normal behavior for guineas? If not any advice on stopping it.

It is normal behavior as they see the toes of the others as food. The only way I know to stop it is to add more keets or provide them something more interesting to peck at. You may try adding mirrors. If you have chick grit available, you could try offering short pieces of grass. They will need the grit in order to be able to digest the grass.

 

[red horse ranch]

Rooster Booster Anti-pick lotion applied to the toes of several of them will stop the toe pecking immediately. It will not hurt them but it tastes really nasty to the one doing it. I keep a bottle handy for use on all my birds that get pecked.

 

[saskmomma4]

Rooster Booster Anti-pick lotion applied to the toes of several of them will stop the toe pecking immediately. It will not hurt them but it tastes really nasty to the one doing it. I keep a bottle handy for use on all my birds that get pecked.

I'll have to get some of this. I've been using vicks vapo rub on my chickens who get pecked, it works pretty good I could try that.