Pellets or Crumble question

[karensc]

I don't know if you remember me but I had a guinea hen that adopted me in 2005 after all her brothers and sisters got killed by predators. I rescued her, (I named her Timmi) and she was with me for about 6 months. Then I got her a buddy, named Teddy. They were always together. I lost Timmi 2 weeks ago to something I am lost about. We were away for about 3 days, they had plenty of food and water, but when I got back she was droopy, she kept closing her eyes and she would leave out a single peep every once in a while. She would not eat and finally quit drinking. I think she had some sorta worm but I do not know. She would wobble her neck like she was making a large circle with her head. But like I said, I tried everything for her except a vet because the closest one was 2 hours away and she was so weak, I did not want to put her thru any more stress. She eventually I guess starved to death, and when I found her in the morning, I think she waited for me to come down and say goodbye. To top all of that, the day before, being that she was so weak, she still managed to lay 1 last egg for me as if she was saying to me, Mama, this is the last egg I can give you and I am sorry. I miss her so much and Teddy I think is adapting to being alone. He seemed fine until last weekend he started to wobble his neck also. I went to Pet Smart (after alot of research on the web) and got some tetracycline for his water. Now, he is back to his silly self again, but he never quit eating, I just hope he will be OK now. He missed his girlfriend for a little while but now I don't know if he forgot about her or is just accepting the fact that she is gone. It was really special, he was walking back and forth from the play yard to the inside of the pen looking for her and I told him that she went to heaven and he looked up in the sky. I think he knew that she was sick. But anyway. I stumbled across this website looking for answers to Timmi's death. I really would like to know what happened. She was also pooping green, and I think I read that meant that she was starving. She chose to not eat I guess, but if she was that sick, I guess she was not hungry. It killed me to watch her suffer like that. I know she is better off now, she is not suffering anymore, but I am still having a hard time accepting it myself. I am still having problems navigating around this website but I will catch on I hope and I am happy to be here.

 

[PeepsCA]

Oh Karen, that's really sad about Timmi, so sorry you lost her. You gave her a great life tho, I remember how you spoiled those birds. Glad to read you saved Teddy, hope he continues to do well and adjusts to living without her. I know you can never replace Timmi, but maybe you can eventually find a new buddy for Teddy... (once you know he's 100% healthy).

BYC's a great place, with lots of helpful people. The other forum sections here are great too, lots of good stuff to read and learn about

 

[KrisH]

I don't know if you remember me but I had a guinea hen that adopted me in 2005 after all her brothers and sisters got killed by predators. I rescued her, (I named her Timmi) and she was with me for about 6 months. Then I got her a buddy, named Teddy. They were always together. I lost Timmi 2 weeks ago to something I am lost about. We were away for about 3 days, they had plenty of food and water, but when I got back she was droopy, she kept closing her eyes and she would leave out a single peep every once in a while. She would not eat and finally quit drinking. I think she had some sorta worm but I do not know. She would wobble her neck like she was making a large circle with her head. But like I said, I tried everything for her except a vet because the closest one was 2 hours away and she was so weak, I did not want to put her thru any more stress. She eventually I guess starved to death, and when I found her in the morning, I think she waited for me to come down and say goodbye. To top all of that, the day before, being that she was so weak, she still managed to lay 1 last egg for me as if she was saying to me, Mama, this is the last egg I can give you and I am sorry. I miss her so much and Teddy I think is adapting to being alone. He seemed fine until last weekend he started to wobble his neck also. I went to Pet Smart (after alot of research on the web) and got some tetracycline for his water. Now, he is back to his silly self again, but he never quit eating, I just hope he will be OK now. He missed his girlfriend for a little while but now I don't know if he forgot about her or is just accepting the fact that she is gone. It was really special, he was walking back and forth from the play yard to the inside of the pen looking for her and I told him that she went to heaven and he looked up in the sky. I think he knew that she was sick. But anyway. I stumbled across this website looking for answers to Timmi's death. I really would like to know what happened. She was also pooping green, and I think I read that meant that she was starving. She chose to not eat I guess, but if she was that sick, I guess she was not hungry. It killed me to watch her suffer like that. I know she is better off now, she is not suffering anymore, but I am still having a hard time accepting it myself. I am still having problems navigating around this website but I will catch on I hope and I am happy to be here.

I am sorry for your loss, but I see you are in my area If Teddy needs a girl, we have a grow out pen with a bunch of coral blue. (we put leg bands on the girls) PM me if you are interested. I would love one of the girls to have a great home like yours.

RobertH

 

[critters]

so sorry for your loss.....

 

[KrisH]

so... how is the new girl working out? pictures?

RobertH

 

[karensc]

Hi Robert & Kris,

I didn't get to take any pictures yet. We spent most of the day cleaning the pen and the panels I put up when the colder weather starts. Tara seemed a little chilly this morning so that is why we did it and after they were up, she stayed in most of the day. She ventured out frequently though. Last night, she went on the perch early so when Teddy jumped up, she barked at him but she stayed right next to him. I went down again about 11PM to check on them and they were still on the perch but on opposite ends. They are really getting along great together. Teddy really likes her. When we got home from your house, we just put the carrier inside the play yard with the door open and Teddy kept walking past her, looking in but he would not go near her. After about 10 minutes she came out on her own and the rest is history. I hope Kris got home safely and I cannot wait to start talking with her also.

Thank You again for this sweet little girl and I will definately keep you posted with stories and pictures.

Karen & Joe S.

 

[KrisH]

It's great to hear they are getting along. it will take a week or so, but they will be inseparable soon.

Kris got home last night late.

Hope Tara is not too noisy for the neighbors.

RobertH

 

[KrisH]

don't forget to poke your head in and say hello on the South Carolina thread at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/127943/south-carolina/16920

RobertH

 

[cowcreekgeek]

So I've always fed crumble and never questioned it. Can adult guineas eat pellets? If not, is there a reason why?

Yep, layer pellets are fine for Guineas (my piggy free rangers will even choke down huge pieces of dry dog food kibble, lol)... it may take the birds a while to accept the new food tho, so mix some in gradually. If they are super finicky then they may need to go a little hungry for a day or so if they are only eating the crumbles and leaving all the pellets, in order to actually get them to eat the pellets. Not all birds will accept pellets tho, and sometimes that won't work. I agree, there is lots of waste with crumbled feeds.

Mine started on crumbles and now I have started to mix pellets in with their food very slowly. They resisted at first but now they seem to know that they can eat it.

My birds did not like the pellets so I had to go back to crumbles again.

mine refuse to eat pellets. they will tear up the earth before they eat pellets.

i started feeding mine pellets at about 8 weeks old. after they got over freaking out over the strange looking coffee can i put it in they love it.

I fed my previous guineas crumble, because they were older & were used to them. Got some Game Bird pellets for my 6 new ones & even my 2 older males are eating them. It is still mixed with starter feed, but the bowl of pellets I put in the run during the day, get eaten first.

It's as if one had a finch, and another a cardinal. And, PeepsCA (who gave some excellent advice on what to feed your keets in another thread), apparently has well-disquised turkeys. My keets are only 33 days old, yet they'll eat anything I offer 'em (which sorta scares me, due to my own ignorance/inexperience). Unless it's in an unusual container -- they absolutely HATE those colorful Papa John's plates.

​

The differences appear to stem mostly from training, and the earlier it begins? All the better I suspect the outcomes will be ... in my own tiny case study, they jump over another to get *to* the new foods I offer, rather than away. And, yes, some eat from my hand. A few will even climb right on in.

The poultry conditioner in the lower left corner is about the diameter of the graphite found in kindergarden pencils. Measure against the dime in the photo, then compare. If, that is, you've got one left (they all eat better than I do ~'-)
Although lower in protein (22%), it makes up for the essential fatty acids(0.6%) and vitamins/minerals that gamebird starters lack. It is relatively soft, and crumbles into smaller pieces easily, which is what I did when I first began sneakin' it into their crumbles. All fifteen are now gobbling it up fast.

Again? I AM NEW TO ALL THIS, so take my suggestion(s) with salt (1-2 grains per post).

 

[karensc]

Well. this morning she was very vocal because the leaves were flying and I guess it was bothering her. I was a little concerned about her but Joe said it is just like a dog barking. She does this for maybe 10 seconds, but yes she is vocal. I ticked her off on Sunday morning and she let me know about it. Last night they slept on seperate perches, but tonight they are on the same perch real close together, but Teddy is poking her wing. Is this normal? I never saw him do that before. He is not hurting her because I think she would jump or move but she is not. I guess this is the pecking thing you told me about. Otherwise, they are getting along just great.

Karen