Sick keets? Look like pine cones

[guineapeeps]

Just in case you needed more proof, I looked up signs of protein deficiency in poultry. In chicks and poults (no reason to think keets are any different), feather abnormalities due to protein and/or amino acid deficiency include: "Uneven feather growth, abnormally long primary feathers, feathers not lying smoothly." Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (niacin) can cause "frizzled and rough feathers."

(Reference: Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, 9th ed, 1994. https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/9#49)

They should be on a turkey starter feed.

Good info!

 

[Abriana]

They are so cute! And they do look like pinecones. My pullets, when they are beginning to feather out, look scraggly, not pretty, and very ruffled. I think it's just a feather thing, they will probably lay flat as they get older.

 

[ChickFlick123]

Thank you! I hope they just grow out of it. I changed their food on July 12th and it still hasn't done anything to fix their feathering. Some of them look even more disheveled as they are putting on weight. Unless anyone else has any other ideas, I may have to just wait this one out and see what happens. They seem to be acting normal and eating well and stuff.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you! I hope they just grow out of it. I changed their food on July 12th and it still hasn't done anything to fix their feathering. Some of them look even more disheveled as they are putting on weight. Unless anyone else has any other ideas, I may have to just wait this one out and see what happens. They seem to be acting normal and eating well and stuff.

Don't expect to see any change in the feathers until they molt which should be soon. Damaged feathers cannot heal themselves until new feathers replace them. Young birds go through many molts until they are adults at which time they normally only molt annually. I am sure the improved feed is helping, you just have to wait until they molt to see the difference.

 

[BlueShadow]

Thank you! I hope they just grow out of it. I changed their food on July 12th and it still hasn't done anything to fix their feathering. Some of them look even more disheveled as they are putting on weight. Unless anyone else has any other ideas, I may have to just wait this one out and see what happens. They seem to be acting normal and eating well and stuff.

I would not expect a change of feed to affect their current feathers. You will have to wait until their next set of feathers grows in to see a difference in the feathering. However, with poor quality feathers covering rapidly growing keets, I understand why they would look worse as they are growing.

Is your new feed formulated for gamebird chicks and turkey poults? That is the only feed that will have the right ratios of niacin and other vitamins. Otherwise, you might need to supplement niacin in addition to the feed change.

 

[BlueShadow]

Don't expect to see any change in the feathers until they molt which should be soon. Damaged feathers cannot heal themselves until new feathers replace them. Young birds go through many molts until they are adults at which time they normally only molt annually. I am sure the improved feed is helping, you just have to wait until they molt to see the difference.

You beat me!

 

[R2elk]

You beat me!

You have become very, very good at knowing guineas. Congratulations!!

 

[ChickFlick123]

I would not expect a change of feed to affect their current feathers. You will have to wait until their next set of feathers grows in to see a difference in the feathering. However, with poor quality feathers covering rapidly growing keets, I understand why they would look worse as they are growing.

Is your new feed formulated for gamebird chicks and turkey poults? That is the only feed that will have the right ratios of niacin and other vitamins. Otherwise, you might need to supplement niacin in addition to the feed change.

I didn't know they had to molt...that makes sense. I am using Nutrena Gamebird feed now. It is the only thing available around here outside of chicken feeds so hopefully it has what they need.

 

[BlueShadow]

I didn't know they had to molt...that makes sense. I am using Nutrena Gamebird feed now. It is the only thing available around here outside of chicken feeds so hopefully it has what they need.

That should be good quality, although if it is formulated for adults rather than a starter/grower, it may still be a little shy of ideal ratios. Still, it is a great improvement over what you were feeding and after the next molt you should have a better idea of how they are doing. I would recommend keeping them on that until they are fully grown.

 

[BlueShadow]

You have become very, very good at knowing guineas. Congratulations!!

Thanks! I think. Does it take a lot to recognize them for the obnoxious, opinionated little feather brains that they are?