Raising Keets (and also raising them with chickens.)

[44Wolves]

Hello! I am debating whether or not to get guinea chicks when I go to pick up 6 Ameraucana chicks (females).

I have several questions, and could really use your help!


1) CAN guinea keets and chicken chicks be raised together?

2) I'm assuming they do not eat the same as chickens. Is guinea food expensive?

3) How long is it before keets are basically self-sufficient? When can they live outside in a coop?

4) Is it okay to keep only 2/3 Guineas, or do they need to be in larger groups?


Thanks!

 

[PeepsCA]

Hello! I am debating whether or not to get guinea chicks when I go to pick up 6 Ameraucana chicks (females).

I have several questions, and could really use your help!


1) CAN guinea keets and chicken chicks be raised together?

2) I'm assuming they do not eat the same as chickens. Is guinea food expensive?

3) How long is it before keets are basically self-sufficient? When can they live outside in a coop?

4) Is it okay to keep only 2/3 Guineas, or do they need to be in larger groups?


Thanks!

1) Yes but they may not get along when they are older and breeding season for the Guineas kicks in. Guineas can become aggressive, territorial and disrupt the laying Hens to the point that they won't lay.

2) High protein starter feed for keets is several dollars more than chick starter.

3) They don't need a heat source after 6 wks old and can be moved outside to a well sheltered coop, but as far as being self sufficient... maybe by 12 wks old, but realistically closer to 16-20 wks (IMO).

4) 2/3 GUineas is not enough, they do better in flocks of 10 or more. They also do better if they are not penned with chickens, and have their own space. Free ranging together is usually not a problem, but in the coop and pen is when the aggression problems tend to happen.

 

[44Wolves]

Okay, thanks! I don't think I will be getting guineas, as upon further research it looks like what you say is true, how they disrupt the hens.

Thanks for answering!