Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[guineapeeps]

I need help.  This morning I changed the keets' water, using one of the fountains that fits on a quart mason jar, using glass jars.  I changed it for a jar that had labels on it, not realizing.  The keets got all freaked out about the labels and stopped drinking water, terrified.  I changed it back to fresh water in the old jar with no labels, and I dipped Number 1's beak in it.  I thought they started drinking after that and I've been checking on them all day (which is tough because they freak out when I check on them), but now I'm worried that at least some of them are getting dehydrated. Several of them are opening their beaks and stretching their necks out forward and then closing their beaks-- a gesture of thirst if I ever saw one, but maybe it's something else.  They are outside on the porch, been in the shade all day except for early morning when some sun hits the porch, but it's been above 90F most of the day.  I have a fan going on the porch.  Is that bad, is that contributing to dehydration?  

What should I do?

How old are the keets? You probably mentioned in a previous post, but I couldn't remember. Do they seem to still be freaked out? Are they eating? Do they seem active or listless and sleepy? Are they panting? (Mine actually pant with their mouths open when it is really hot). Do you have them under a heat lamp still? If so, they be too hot. I would try to take each one and dip their beaks in the water again to see if you can encourage them to drink. You could also try mixing their food with a bit of water. If they seem really listless, I would try to get some electrolytes to mix in with their water. I've heard of people mixing suar in water for dehydrated birds, but I have not done this, so don't know how effective/good it is. I wouldn't think the fan in the room would be a big deal as long as it's not blowing directly on them.

 

[duluthralphie]

Wow what kind of Incubator do you have Ralphie? Mine will hold forty if I stuff every egg cup...

I have a Hovabator 1588 non digital

I want to build one of @Sally Sunshine s cabinets.

I have 2 sportsman 1202.
I have 2 farm innovator
1 little giant

I can hold a lot of eggs.

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote: Thank you. They are just 6-7 days old. There is electrolytes and probiotics in their water. All my chicks have always been good with this mix and the keets had been good until I upset them this morning with the scary new bottle of water. Right, Ok, I'll mix some water into some of their food and consider dosing them all with some water and a vitamin drop (Polyvisol), which they've all just had two doses of since hatching. I am reluctant because treating them all means taking them all out of the brooder and into a heated box, then taking them out one by one and dosing. With more than 2 dozen keets, it's the only way to make sure everyone gets treated.

They are continuing to eat, yes. Not really listless. They are not panting. I have a Mama-Heating-Pad in the brooder with the temp just on the very first setting (of 6), and I have a digital probe thermometer and it was 95 under the MHP. In any case a few go under it periodically but most spend a lot of time on top of it. It's been over 90F today, It's now just 84F.

After I posted my request for help, I saw some of them drinking water, but the level in the bottle has not gone down nearly as much as it normally has been on a daily basis so I know they aren't drinking properly.

 

[duluthralphie]

Thank you. They are just 6-7 days old. There is electrolytes and probiotics in their water. All my chicks have always been good with this mix and the keets had been good until I upset them this morning with the scary new bottle of water. Right, Ok, I'll mix some water into some of their food and consider dosing them all with some water and a vitamin drop (Polyvisol), which they've all just had two doses of since hatching. I am reluctant because treating them all means taking them all out of the brooder and into a heated box, then taking them out one by one and dosing. With more than 2 dozen keets, it's the only way to make sure everyone gets treated.

They are continuing to eat, yes. Not really listless. They are not panting. I have a Mama-Heating-Pad in the brooder with the temp just on the very first setting (of 6), and I have a digital probe thermometer and it was 95 under the MHP. In any case a few go under it periodically but most spend a lot of time on top of it. It's been over 90F today, It's now just 84F.

After I posted my request for help, I saw some of them drinking water, but the level in the bottle has not gone down nearly as much as it normally has been on a daily basis so I know they aren't drinking properly.

I would turn the heat off for a while. The pad itself without any heat may keep them warm enough. I have been turning mine off during the day and only running it at night on my 2-3 day old chicks.

If they are eating and panting I am guessing they the heat is the issue...Keets can be temperamental, leave them alone they will drink. Animals seldom let themselves die of thirst with water around.


Sounds like you have persnickety little gangsters on your hands...

 

[guineapeeps]

Thank you.  They are just 6-7 days old.  There is electrolytes and probiotics in their water. All my chicks have always been good with this mix and the keets had been good until I upset them this morning with the scary new bottle of water. Right, Ok, I'll mix some water into some of their food and consider dosing them all with some water and a vitamin drop (Polyvisol), which they've all just had two doses of since hatching.  I am reluctant because treating them all means taking them all out of the brooder and into a heated box, then taking them out one by one and dosing.  With more than 2 dozen keets, it's the only way to make sure everyone gets treated.

They are continuing to eat, yes.  Not really listless. They are not panting.  I have a Mama-Heating-Pad in the brooder with the temp just on the very first setting (of 6), and I have a digital probe thermometer and it was 95 under the MHP.  In any case  a few go under it periodically but most spend a lot of time on top of it.    It's been over 90F today, It's now just 84F. 

After I posted my request for help, I saw some of them drinking water, but the level in the bottle has not gone down nearly as much as it normally has been on a daily basis so I know they aren't drinking properly.  

If they are not panting, seem to be active, and are drinking and eating, it sounds like they are on the right track. You may want to leave them be and watch them a little longer and see how they do rather than getting them worked up by handling and disrupting them. It's crazy how just a little change can throw Guineas into a complete freak out session. Just little tweaks to my coop has kept my Guineas from setting foot inside! Good luck and let us know how they do!

 

[guineapeeps]

I just went down and emptied the hatching tray.

38 keets so far. mostly pearl a few whites and pied.  38 keets in one tray is a lot.  Some of them were impatient to get out. A few come with prison tattoos already.  I have 39 more to go.

Are you planning on keeping all of those keets or do you sell them? Just curious.....that is a lot of Guineas! They will all eventually become criminal masterminds if your other Guineas corrupt them! Or are you just planning your own Guinea reality tv show?

 

[duluthralphie]

Are you planning on keeping all of those keets or do you sell them? Just curious.....that is a lot of Guineas! They will all eventually become criminal masterminds if your other Guineas corrupt them! Or are you just planning your own Guinea reality tv show?

Most of them are sold. I think.

The rest I will train to be ninja's.

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote: Yes, persnickety lil uns. My goodness but they are cute! I just wish they'd let me sit and watch them but the whole time I'm near their space they act like they are about to be killed-- they all stop what they're doing and huddle up in a corner. I know, I know, everyone told me. Right, good point, they have water, I'll leave them alone. I haven't taken any action yet because I simply don't want to freak them out further if I can avoid it.

If they are not panting, seem to be active, and are drinking and eating, it sounds like they are on the right track. You may want to leave them be and watch them a little longer and see how they do rather than getting them worked up by handling and disrupting them. It's crazy how just a little change can throw Guineas into a complete freak out session. Just little tweaks to my coop has kept my Guineas from setting foot inside! Good luck and let us know how they do!

Ya'll warned me, any little change, I was so bummed with myself for letting the change in the water bottle get by me. Gotta stay on your toes with guineas!

Thank you all for your help and support. I feel less fearful than I did earlier.

 

[charid]

If they are not panting, seem to be active, and are drinking and eating, it sounds like they are on the right track. You may want to leave them be and watch them a little longer and see how they do rather than getting them worked up by handling and disrupting them. It's crazy how just a little change can throw Guineas into a complete freak out session. Just little tweaks to my coop has kept my Guineas from setting foot inside! Good luck and let us know how they do!

I agree. Leave them be. You may be over thinking it. Keep your feeding and watering to regular times so they get used to the routine because if you micromanage every moment that you see it necessary it could be causing them even more than necessary stress and confusion. Both of which cause them to freak out. If they are exposed to dry temps over 90 and without a wind you should only need 1 heating source if that even. Just add heat before temps start to drop too much.

 

[guineapeeps]

Most of them are sold.     I think.

The rest I will train to be ninja's.

Hahaha....funny but scary at the same time. The Minnesota Mutant Ninja Guinea Gang! I have the perfect vision of it in my mind, but now I will never be the same.....I may lose sleep, have nightmares, or even need counseling now! Thanks!

(I'm joking, of course!)