new to guinea

[nurschic]

I am hoping to get some guineas tomorrow. Is the care for the chicks much different from chickens or turkeys?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

they are more tender as babies but much harder as adult then chickens. they need a higher protein feed and are kinda drawn to the water so make sure you have pebbles or something in their water where they cant drown. thats all i can think of in my experience.

 

[amishhippie]

I just hatched out about twenty two weeks ago. Definitely put pebbles, rocks, or marbles in the chick waterer. You may have to show a couple of them where the water and food is then the others will follow. Keep them draft free and at at least 95 for the first week, then you can drop the temp every three days or so by five degrees. If they make it three days your pretty much golden. I also put ACV with the mother in it in their water and give mine medicated chick starter. It's worked for all of mine. I don't think they are as messy as chicks, but they get loud real fast! Good luck, the only bird that gets ugly as they grow! LOL

 

[nurschic]

So.....it doesn't sound to be too much different from the chicks and turkeys. How do they fair with dogs when they are older and grown?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

they wouldnt fair any better then any other fowl around a dog, depends on the dog but they are awesome flyers. mostly they will hunch down like a chicken would in danger.

 

[amishhippie]

I agree, dogs will attack and kill them. I saw a buddy's lab carry one around all day, it lived, but was traumatized. Then I saw a little terrier go after one and they all ran, but then rebanded and turned and attacked the dog, so it will depend on the guinea and the dog. They are more aware than a chicken or turkey and scream an alarm to alert everything.