Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[red horse ranch]

The guineas I raise are usually close to full grown, over 3 months, before I let them free range. But I do give them supervised outings before then if I can.

You got them to control insects but don't be surprised if it's the following spring before they range too far from their safe spaces and coop. Young guineas are always afraid of new things and places.

 

[guineapeeps]

We unfortunately cannot find any Gamebird feed anywhere within a 30 mile radius. It's bizarre to me. We do have oyster shells for the chickens.

We are definitely letting them out, the question was when. We got them for insect control. Since we've had them for only two weeks, I was questioning THAT more than they are seven weeks old.

Agree with the others...I would wait at least several more weeks before even thinking about letting them out unsupervised. It takes guineas a long time to know where “home” is!

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

Right on. Thanks so y'all so much. I really appreciate the info. This is way better than a Google search!

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

Unfortunately even 24% chick starter does not have the higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin that the keets need for proper growth and development. You can help them by giving them a good vitamin B complex made at the rate of 1/2 tablet or capsule to one gallon of water. Make this the only source of water for them and do not mix anything else in the water. The mix should be made fresh daily.

The recommended feed is a high protein turkey or game bird starter for the first 6 to 8 weeks. This should be followed with a turkey or gamebird grower (usually 24% protein) for the next 6 weeks. After that they can be fed a quality 20% protein all flock feed supplemented with free choice oyster shell.

They should be fully feathered and acclimated to the ambient temperature before you let them out of the coop.

Since they are 7 weeks old, you can probably let them out now for short supervised outings.

"Good B Complex"? Is there a B Complex tablet or capsule specific for Gamebirds because I cannot find one? :-l

 

[R2elk]

"Good B Complex"? Is there a B Complex tablet or capsule specific for Gamebirds because I cannot find one? :-l

Just pick out a god vitamin B complex at the grocery store. A good one will list all the B vitamins it contains including thiamine and niacin.

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

I hope it's ok that I keep my Guinea questions in this single thread. Here's another question, this one is about diarrhea:
We (still) have 10 Guineas, 15 weeks old. One or more has diarrhea. We've noticed it over the past two weeks. This may be normal with the 95F degrees temperatures we've been experiencing. Everyone seems to acting the same energetic neurotic way. I have no way to know who has it or why.

They are on 20% protein chick feed (no gamebird feed available in our area or affordable for us on line). They get B complex vitamin in their water in the coop. We do alternate days with fresh plain water.

We have started to let several out each day to free range and they eat bugs and foliage in yard. They have access to fresh plain water from a SILVER 5 gallon waterer next to their pen. I also put out a large bowl of water because I'm wondering if the ones outside don't realize there is water in the silver container. They are definitely familiar with their red waterer and feeder.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Many thanks!

 

[R2elk]

I hope it's ok that I keep my Guinea questions in this single thread. Here's another question, this one is about diarrhea:
We (still) have 10 Guineas, 15 weeks old. One or more has diarrhea. We've noticed it over the past two weeks. This may be normal with the 95F degrees temperatures we've been experiencing. Everyone seems to acting the same energetic neurotic way. I have no way to know who has it or why.

They are on 20% protein chick feed (no gamebird feed available in our area or affordable for us on line). They get B complex vitamin in their water in the coop. We do alternate days with fresh plain water.

We have started to let several out each day to free range and they eat bugs and foliage in yard. They have access to fresh plain water from a SILVER 5 gallon waterer next to their pen. I also put out a large bowl of water because I'm wondering if the ones outside don't realize there is water in the silver container. They are definitely familiar with their red waterer and feeder.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Many thanks!

When poultry are drinking a lot of water it is common for them to have loose stools. If there are no visible signs of blood in the stools, I would not be concerned.

At 15 weeks old I would switch them to a 20% all flock feed. It will have higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin than a chick starter will have.

 

[Mimi13]

When poultry are drinking a lot of water it is common for them to have loose stools. If there are no visible signs of blood in the stools, I would not be concerned.

At 15 weeks old I would switch them to a 20% all flock feed. It will have higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin than a chick starter will have.

I’m sure this has been answered, but I haven’t read through all 282 pages. Do guineas need calcium provided like my hens do?

 

[R2elk]

I’m sure this has been answered, but I haven’t read through all 282 pages. Do guineas need calcium provided like my hens do?

It is even more important to provide free choice oyster shell for guinea hens than it is for chickens. Guinea hens can be subject to Calcium deficiency during laying season. This can be caused by insufficient Calcium in their diet and/or a vitamin D deficiency which will interfere with the proper absorption of Calcium into the body. One sign of a Calcium deficiency in a Guinea hen can be loss of motor control causing them to not be able to stand or walk. Giving a liquid Calcium supplement in the water has been proven to be effective in treating Calcium deficiency.

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

When poultry are drinking a lot of water it is common for them to have loose stools. If there are no visible signs of blood in the stools, I would not be concerned.

At 15 weeks old I would switch them to a 20% all flock feed. It will have higher levels of lysine, methionine and niacin than a chick starter will have.

Thank you, R2elk! The ten of them drink 5 quarts of water a day. I'm happy to know that loose stools are common. No visible blood or worms. And the ones that are out of the pen all day are eager to get at the feed when they return.

Unfortunately, none of our co-ops or Tractor Supply stores have 20% Flock feed. I don't mind giving them the B complex vitamin water, but how do long to you recommend that continues?