Three weeks old & they're pretending to bathe in the brooder...

[hcranch]

In the brooder they are scratching and "bathing" like they are in dirt! When can/should I move them to the coop? What kind of bedding should I use for my 3 week old Keets? Can I use the same wood shavings that I used for my horses? Help? :/ :/

 

[redsoxs]

I don't know much about guineas....correction...I know nothing about guineas....but I know chicken keepers often use pine shavings as bedding. You can also use straw or hat. Not sure how long they need heat but if you provide it in the coop you could do so anytime this time of year.

 

[PeepsCA]

I would start out with straw for bedding, keets are notorious for eating shavings and getting impacted (and dying from it).

They may not need heat during the day since it's summer, but I'd provide a lamp that gives them an area under it with a temp of about 75-80 degrees. Make sure they can get out of the heat if they need to.

Also keets (Guineas in general, any age) can get freaked out by changes, so you may want to start off with containing them to a small area of the coop for a while at first... otherwise they may huddle in a corner and get chilled, or not be able to find their feed and water.