Pecking other keets

[linbee]

Can anyone help with a possible reason my almost 2 week old keets are pecking the rear end of one of the other keets? I have moved the pecked keet into a box of his own, but he looks a little stressed. He is smaller than the other keets - would that have anything to do with this? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks..

 

[zazouse]

What kind of light do you use?

 

[linbee]

It's a heat lamp I got at the feed store. Do you think it's too much light?

 

[zazouse]

No it's not the light, red light help preven pecking.



You could try giving them some whole cabbage to keep them busy, i know mine love cabbage and other produce.

how many do you have?

 

[damselfish]

Some feed stores will sell the red heat light, and this does seem to help. It lets them sleep better than the white light and seems to decrease stress.

See if you can put a peaceful keet in with the one getting pecked, guinea keets hate to be alone. You can also put some salve on his bum to help him heal...I forget what it's called, but the feed store will know. There's a pinkish colored spray and a yellowish salve.

High protein feed, like gamebird starter or flock raiser is best.

Other than that, make sure they have enough room...how many keets in what size brooder?

 

[linbee]

I think the room was the problem - I was getting ready to move them into a larger pen when I had the snake attack. I kept the one they pecked on separate while we finished making the new pen. Put them all together in the new pen yesterday evening, and everyone seems much happier. They grow so fast, I didn't realize how little room they had until they were really crowded. You are right, guineas do not like to be alone......the little one that I put in his own cage was soooo happy to be back in with his family - I felt kind of bad for keeping them apart. And, words I never thought I'd say - ----- "I put vaseline on the little guinea butt". I just checked on them this morning, and everyone seems to be okay. I started with 24 guineas but the snake took out 7 - that was a trauma for all of us. I used 1/4" hardware cloth to build their new cage and am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your helpful suggestions.