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Yes, in the wild, they do eat what they can get... and in the spring and summer when keets hatch, the insects, small reptiles and rodents are abundant, so the keets get LOTS of protein in their diet from day one, which is why they grow/develop and feather out quickly and are off the ground and safe from predators.
What to feed brooder raised keets is a pretty touchy subject among backyard breeders (and even some professional breeders)... some take nutrition a little more seriously than others, some choose what's easiest and economical, some want their birds to live long productive lives, where as some butcher their flocks at a young age. I personally breed and feed for longevity and healthy future breeding stock tho.
I realize that finding the correct starter and grower feeds for Guinea keets and other Game Birds is difficult for some, but a lot of these high protein feeds can be ordered directly from the manufacturers and even online these days... and I am a stickler about correct nutrition for my birds, so I won't be the one to suggest adding things to chicken starter feeds for keets, just to help people out.
Ultimately it's not about the people, it's about the keets' complete nutritional needs (not just protein levels). One nutrient fed at a too high or too low of a level can effect a lot of different nutrients, and the way a keet's body absorbs and utilizes them. So IMO, by adding things to chick starter feeds and grower feeds to raise keets on can easily create unbalanced nutrient levels and end up doing more harm than good for the birds. Imbalances from the start can lead to development, genetic, reproductive issues etc in your flock (be it immediate issues or issues that develop down the line)... and not in just the current flock, but in generation after generation of offspring (and their offspring!). Another thing to consider is that if it's a medicated starter feed that you are adding other things to then you are also diluting the medication level, rendering it less effective, or not effective at all against Coccidiosis.
all i can say is to each his/her own as a person who is finding it very difficult to find the right food and its all right for you to say get it off the internet the P&P is outrageous i just felt that you are not understanding other peoples situations. i never mentioned medicated food
i will keep doing what i am doing and for those of you out there who are wondering how to up the protein level this is what i do i add fish food and insects which you can buy at any pet store its up to you what you feed your animals but getting good info IS the key
I try to help when I can, if I can, with the best advice I can give based on what I've learned from the tons of research and reading I've done for the health and better of my own flocks, and all of my own trial and error experiences that I've have and continue to have with them... but it does not necessarily mean what I type pertains to everyone's flocks or ways of thinking, and it doesn't mean it's the ONLY way... just that it has worked for me (plus some things are just common sense things I point out because they are easily overlooked sometimes). I of course never expect those that read my posts to take it as Guinea Gospel, (or always agree either), but I do hope that they can take what they need from it as it applies to their own flocks.
