New and my keets are dying!

[newb1rdmom]

Oh! I also wanted to update everyone who’s been reading this thread that I have been cleaning the smaller keets bottoms/vents(?) with coconut oil to keep them oiled and help them pass any remaining chips they may have had left in their system and they seem to be doing a lot better today. There were no deaths over night or so far today! I’m hoping adding a small portion of grit to their bedding (as suggested — not in the food!) will help them digest anything else.

I’m using puppy pads and sand for now in the smaller keet box for their bedding and I’m not sure when is appropriate to reintroduce the chips for bedding. But for now they seem to be doing a lot better so thank you all for all the advice you’ve been giving! I’ve been reading it all and trying to listen and my keets seem to be doing so much better.

 

[Sydney65]

Only had to dig back 2 years to find reference to BOSS- Black oiled sunflower seeds? So what happened, Bennie? Fortunately (?) mine refused to even try those.-I think I've raised prissy birds....

 

[R2elk]

Only had to dig back 2 years to find reference to BOSS- Black oiled sunflower seeds? So what happened, Bennie? Fortunately (?) mine refused to even try those.-I think I've raised prissy birds....

See post #30

 

[Sydney65]

Oh, ok- didn't associate the bird seed. How much os cal is too much for the roos? I've been using bc I fig if I wanted them to eat bugs it made sense to supplement w/feed made w/bugs. - but have a feeling I need to switch again?

 

[R2elk]

Oh, ok- didn't associate the bird seed. How much os cal is too much for the roos? I've been using bc I fig if I wanted them to eat bugs it made sense to supplement w/feed made w/bugs. - but have a feeling I need to switch again?View attachment 2248939

Typical layer feed has around 4% calcium while All Flock, Flock Raiser and non laying feeds are usually around 1.2% calcium.

 

[Sydney65]

Mk...all flock for the boys it is. Not a drastic issue right now as they are free ranging all day.

 

[yakitori]

Glad to read your keets are getting better! I got 3 Keets from a friend about a month ago and it's been quite the journey. I ended up raising mine with some chickens to make them less nervous around me. It seems to have worked well so far - I can pet them when they're eating, lol.

I think they do get much hardier after they start feathering out more. Last week a concrete block flipped over on one of my guineas and he has since made a full recovery. I really didn't think he was going to make it...

Hope to see more updates!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Just read through this thread. NewB: best of luck solving your problems and keeping your keets healthy! Looks like you’ve already gotten lots of great tips. I do sprinkle the grit lightly over the top of the gamebird starter, like a light sprinkle of salt. I also like giving a healthy, 1-2 foot weed with root ball to inoculate their gut with good microbes.

Interesting sub discussion about adult feed. I give 17% protein chick starter grower to all adult poultry, with oyster shell in the side. The guineas usually do a lot of free range, so I don’t worry so much about what I’m feeding them as they mostly eat what they forage. Right now, I have the 28% protein gamebird starter in the coop, both for the keets and the broodies. Most of the guineas love that. For treats, I mostly give dried mealworm/soldier fly larvae in summer and white millet in winter.

 

[Sydney65]

Need to find research I read abt protein & cal in roosters.- by now you shld know I always ask why and go looking stuff up.
The hypothesis was high levels decrease fertility, decrease aggressiveness & make them fearful, & have "twitchy heads".
I had to chuckle, bc fertility aside (no proof either way w /mine), they aren't particularly aggressive,definitely twitchy, & I might be the only thing they aren't afraid of! The hypotheses were disproven via the experiment.

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

Molasses on there beaks suger water and honey on there beaks. And I would wrap the sick ones in an old sock.