My new Keets (pics)

[jtbrown]

I got my keets this afternoon. Townline Hatchery in Michigan I believe. The feed store ordered them for me. We initially wanted them from Mt. Healthy with rest of chicks, but an order mix up and now 5-6 weeks later than planned we got them. I ordered 12 and got an extra one from the order (several us went in to get minimum). I can't wait to see them grow.

They sleep so funny, I was worried about the one in the bottom pic, then bounced up and ran to other side so quick right after this pic.

 

[StevenW.]

I would get them a different bedding, like Paper towels or a Towel. With my first experience I had wood shavings as bedding and apparently that was a Big "No No" Because I had some die from eating the wood shavings and that would cause impaction in their crops.

Cute keets!

 

[bradselig]

Cute little guys!

 

[JLeigh]

I agree with Steven. The shavings aren't the best.

Peeps CA recommended that I get rubberized shelf liner, and I did. It's cheap and perfect to keep keets from slipping. You can get it at Walmart for sure (maybe your Dollar Store) and you get a big roll for about 4.50. Peeps has hatched so many keets - she knows what works. And Steven is a "Flock Master". I follow the gurus!!!

 

[jtbrown]

I went out last night and changed the bedding, well, I covered it with a big towel. I will look for that shelf liner tonight. Thanks for input, I really hope to get these guys to point of integration, so getting them thru chick hood is essential. Now, when can I put them on chips? A few weeks? Longer? Thanks again.

 

[JLeigh]

Now that I don't know. I'll be eager to hear the answer, because I'm about to hatch my first keets (with lots of luck).

 

[StevenW.]

I went out last night and changed the bedding, well, I covered it with a big towel. I will look for that shelf liner tonight. Thanks for input, I really hope to get these guys to point of integration, so getting them thru chick hood is essential. Now, when can I put them on chips? A few weeks? Longer? Thanks again.

I waited until they were eating and drinking well. I wanted to make sure what they knew what they "should" eat instead of the wood shavings..

Maybe a week or 2 weeks..

 

[judyc]

Great looking keets! I was at the farm today, and could hear mine "buck-wheating" from the car. Got mine from a local breeder. (is 2 hours each way local) and they are doing great.

Will be letting mine free range in August, when we move to the farm.

If you could just freeze them as babies---they are so cute!

 

[jtbrown]

They move so much different than chicks to me, so quick and determined to get somewhere quickly! Spry little guys. I will wait a few weeks to change over to chips, good thing is by covering the chips I keep brooder clean under them but still get drying action of chips.

One more question, do they get pasty butt like chickens? I check them at least twice daily and see no sign of it. Then again, I've only got 12 Keets and I have only seen pasty butt a few times in raising 100 chicks, so I may be just seeing the odds play out.

They are soooo cute. I wrap their brooder at night because they are in barn and it is still pretty chilly out. The brooder is 2x4 feet so they have plenty of room to get away from heat if needed. The top is wire so still plenty of area for heat to dissipate. When I remove the moving blankets from side in the morn they all scoot around so fast. Loving the guineas, cannot wait to watch them feather out!

 

[prettychicks]

I agree with Steven. The shavings aren't the best.

Peeps CA recommended that I get rubberized shelf liner, and I did. It's cheap and perfect to keep keets from slipping. You can get it at Walmart for sure (maybe your Dollar Store) and you get a big roll for about 4.50. Peeps has hatched so many keets - she knows what works. And Steven is a "Flock Master". I follow the gurus!!!

I use puppy pads. I have never had any problem with the chicks getting stuck in them or anything and they are absorbent.