Raising Guinea Fowl 101

[kynewbchickie]

I've only been able to find, locally, 24% protein game bird starter feed. I started the keets on it yesterday, and plan to give them boiled, mashed egg every other night. I found this that can be mixed in a 1:5 ratio with chick starter/grower for game birds, guinea fowl included. Wanted to share it with you all that are having a hard time getting the protein percentage up there. My store is out of it right now, but has a shipment coming this Thursday and I plan to get some. It's not very expensive, either - TSC carries it in most stores (which is the only place we can find it) even though it's not listed on their website. But this is what it's called, and what the package looks like. Around $6-$7 for a small bag to supplement your feed.

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/shop_image/product/large428458.jpg

 

[PeepsCA]

Ultra Kibble is good stuff. The company that makes it is a BYC sponsor... and the person that formulated it is a very knowledgeable and helpful BYC member

I've used it for my Guinea Fowl keets, for my Peafowl, Quail and Silkie chicks and for my Turkey poults, and they've all thrived on it. My mix ratio varies tho, between 1:5 and 1:9, depending on which Starter feed I'm feeding. I also mix the adult formula into my adult Guineas, Turkeys and Peafowls diet as a supplement too.

 

[kynewbchickie]

Ultra Kibble is good stuff. The company that makes it is a BYC sponsor... and the person that formulated it is a very knowledgeable and helpful BYC member

I've used it for my Guinea Fowl keets, for my Peafowl, Quail and Silkie chicks and for my Turkey poults, and they've all thrived on it. My mix ratio varies tho, between 1:5 and 1:9, depending on which Starter feed I'm feeding. I also mix the adult formula into my adult Guineas, Turkeys and Peafowls diet as a supplement too.

Too cool!!!

I'll be picking my bag up on Thursday. Since I'm now feeding them the MannaPro Gamebird/Showbird feed (24%), I should probably modify the ratio as well...maybe 1:7, or 1:9? I don't want to overdo it if the 1:5 ratio would be too much.

 

[PeepsCA]

They should be fine, I've mixed it that high with 28% starter feed without any issues... and the keets always picked out the Ultra Kibble crumbles first, lol.

 

[amberr]

Ok thanks gonna hunt down some game bird starter, and probably keep them separate the first week or two then integrate to get them use to each other.

 

[Evadne]

Thanks for this. It was very helpful.

 

[kynewbchickie]

They should be fine, I've mixed it that high with 28% starter feed without any issues... and the keets always picked out the Ultra Kibble crumbles first, lol.

I'm counting the days down to go pick up my bag of Ultra Kibble! Thank you for your help!

 

[15littlem]

Is a guinea a good substitute for a rooster when it comes to protecting the chickens from a small dog or owls?

 

[TarheelBirdy]

Is a guinea a good substitute for a rooster when it comes to protecting the chickens from a small dog or owls?

Not in my experience. There may be situations where they confront an intruder, but not necessarily in an effort to protect a flock. Mine don't seem to have any loyalty to my chickens....they have confronted strange dogs on random occasions, but it is hit-and-miss, and not in an effort to protect the chickens, by any means.

 

[R2elk]

Is a guinea a good substitute for a rooster when it comes to protecting the chickens from a small dog or owls?

In my experience guineas make great food for owls.