Separating guinea hen from keets--best age?

[June2013]

I have 17 one week old keets which the mother hen hatched in the barn. They currently are housed in an oversized rabbit cage. The mother is doing a good job and is noticeably protective. I can't keep them all do to space. I have plans to re-home 2/3 of them. What age and how would I go about the separation? I will be keeping four to five of them. If the hen has the five to keep with her, will that make the transition and stress less? And if she is going to be raising some will that allow me to remove the others earlier? Would it be helpful to spread out the number of keets removed over a few days, such as 6 one day, then 6 in 2-3 days?

Thanks for any input

 

[GuineaFowling]

My guinea hen hatched young several times. Of course, I could not possibly keep them all. If she has a lot, say 25 or more, I would rehome a few at a young age. Then I would be left with 16. At the 4 week mark another batch would be sold. Then I would let her keep the last 5 or 6 until she feels they are ready to fend for themselves. About 2-3 months.

 

[June2013]

Thanks Chilln', It sounds like a reasonable to separate parts of the brood. She has been such a good mom and I really don't want to cause her excessive stress. I am now able to remove and replace water without even a hiss or lunge. Today she let me hold millet in my hand and let the babes eat without any distress. Everyone is still in a wire cage about 3ft x 2ft. She is more than reasonably calm and I appreciate her trust. I couldn't be happier with my first experience with a hen and the hatching her own eggs. Again thanks for passing on your experience.

 

[Hotcookie]

Glad to hear your mama is doing a fine job! Everybody always says they are terrible mothers, but I have found mine to be just the opposite. I currently have the same situation as you, and have found them to be very caring, nurturing and protective of their babies. Good luck with the transition!

 

[GuineaFowling]

My hen was very laid back and tame. When she was broody she wouldn't hiss or try and peck at me. She would let me pet her and feed her from my hands. When the babies began hatching she loved it when I held them and praised her. You can see it in their eyes. So you might get a different reaction from your hen when taking the babies. My hen was fine with me taking them. As long as she had a few she was fine.
Good Luck