Pellets or Crumble question

[GISA farms]

My 14 guineas are 1 1/2 years and I switched them from crumbles to pellets. I made the crumble/pellet mix and they left the pellets and ate all the crumbles. Then I saw them eating the dog's food so I decided to mix a little cheap cat food with the crumble/pellet mix. They ate every bite. I only added cat food a few days then gradually used less crumbles and now they are on pellets only. They rarley leave food and there is little waster. But they really don't eat much after garden scraps, insects, and mice.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

My 14 guineas are 1 1/2 years and I switched them from crumbles to pellets. I made the crumble/pellet mix and they left the pellets and ate all the crumbles. Then I saw them eating the dog's food so I decided to mix a little cheap cat food with the crumble/pellet mix. They ate every bite. I only added cat food a few days then gradually used less crumbles and now they are on pellets only. They rarley leave food and there is little waster. But they really don't eat much after garden scraps, insects, and mice.

That was a wickedly cool idea ... although .. the cat's dietary req. is quite a bit different from a dog's, which is why some of 'em get sick every time that steal fluffy's dinner. The dog's version of brain-freeze, I guess, 'cause they never seem to quit eatin' it. Makes me wonder how it might affect guineas (beyond the short period and low ratio you used it ~'-)

The government has published tables of nutritional requirements for dogs and cats, which makes it easier to analyze. I'm already thinkin' of comin' of w/ a recipe that could be labeled specifically to keets and guineas, as there appears to be none available.

One of the first things I added to their food was a wheat germ that is about 1/3 protein by dry weight, and they progressively ignored each change made more and more as I went along -- I did initially crumble them down to roughly match the crumbles in size, which may have helped.

 

[PeepsCA]

Cat food is used quite often to supplement the protein % in the diets of Peafowl (usually something good quality, with around 30-32% protein). As long as it's not their sole diet it's fine for Guineas too. I have a free range Guinea that will bully my outside cats away from their food dish and help himself. 6 yrs later hes still going strong.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

Cat food is used quite often to supplement the protein % in the diets of Peafowl (usually something good quality, with around 30-32% protein). As long as it's not their sole diet it's fine for Guineas too. I have a free range Guinea that will bully my outside cats away from their food dish and help himself. 6 yrs later hes still going strong.

Whole lot cheaper than feedin' my wheatgerm, which I'll now bully 'em all away from.
And, with all due respect, ma'am? I still do not believe your free-ranger to be a Guinea Fowl -- more likely that it's one of the world's first intelligent turkeys, and he's learned to disquise himself well enough to fool ya ~'-)

 

[jbirds2012]

My 14 guineas are 1 1/2 years and I switched them from crumbles to pellets. I made the crumble/pellet mix and they left the pellets and ate all the crumbles. Then I saw them eating the dog's food so I decided to mix a little cheap cat food with the crumble/pellet mix. They ate every bite. I only added cat food a few days then gradually used less crumbles and now they are on pellets only. They rarley leave food and there is little waster. But they really don't eat much after garden scraps, insects, and mice.

we got some cat food at costco that the cat wouldn't touch neighter would the dogs witch is very rare cause they'll eat anything. so i renamed it " special chicky " and gave them small amounts over a couple of mo's and they ate it up

 

[PeepsCA]

Quote:

He's a Guinea, I swear... and he's not real bright (just persistent and stubborn).
My Turkeys are way smarter than he is, lol.​

​

 

[cowcreekgeek]

He's a Guinea, I swear... and he's not real bright (just persistent and stubborn).
My Turkeys are way smarter than he is, lol.​

​

But, if he *were* a turkey that had developed an superior intellect, and was attempting to convince you that he was in fact a guinea? He'd surely pretend that they were smarter than he ... perhaps he's over-acting the role, which would explain why (as a guinea) he looks so magnificent (which he does ~'-)

 

[cowcreekgeek]

we got some cat food at costco that the cat wouldn't touch neighter would the dogs witch is very rare cause they'll eat anything. so i renamed it " special chicky " and gave them small amounts over a couple of mo's and they ate it up

Proof that guineas can't read (and, possibly, that cats/dogs can ~'-)

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello: This year I ended up with about 25 Guinea critters that looks like they are going to stay the winter with me. I have read that the layer chicken feed is good enough for the Guineas durring the winter months when the insects are mosting gone. I will try to feed the group some pellets. I usually get the game bird feed, but dang it has gotten so expensive in the past year. I feed poultry grain during the spring, summer and fall months for a treat at night for the group. They roost in an open barn in the rafters with a light on during the night. I have a stud horse in the barn with them and he likes the light to be on too. I also have read that Guinea birds LOVE white millet as a treat. I am going to try this during the really cold nights.
Thanks for the infromation !

 

[cowcreekgeek]

Hello: This year I ended up with about 25 Guinea critters that looks like they are going to stay the winter with me. I have read that the layer chicken feed is good enough for the Guineas durring the winter months when the insects are mosting gone. I will try to feed the group some pellets. I usually get the game bird feed, but dang it has gotten so expensive in the past year. I feed poultry grain during the spring, summer and fall months for a treat at night for the group. They roost in an open barn in the rafters with a light on during the night. I have a stud horse in the barn with them and he likes the light to be on too. I also have read that Guinea birds LOVE white millet as a treat. I am going to try this during the really cold nights.
Thanks for the infromation !

I'll be moving my older keets more in the direction of start 'n grow, with additional supplemental sources of fats and protein (sorta like the idea of including a bit of fish-based catfood). As for the seed? In addition to seeds and bugs I hope they'll later target, I found a mixture that targets finches ... don't think it's all that nutritional, but they sure do like seein' it sprinkled in/around their food ~'-)

Oh .. nearly forgot another thread here on BYC about food 'n such. Starts out w/ a fun video, but finishes out w/ some great advice from others more experienced than I. >> peck here << to open it in another window.