Transitioning Guineas to mostly freerange

[appleacres]

Hello,

I am about to start a flock of 15 guineas in about 1.5 months. There seems to be a lot of information about how to feed the keets when they are in the brooder and for the first eight weeks or so, but not a lot of information about how and when to transition them to what I would like which is a primarily free range diet. If I am raising them from keets at what point do I no longer have to supplement their diet with high protein feed? If I want to encourage them to eat as many bugs as possible, how do I determine rations for evening feed/figure out if they are getting enough to eat?

A second question--it seems like they really do not dig nesting boxes, should I bother adding these to my coop, or just let them do their thing?

 

[R2elk]

Hello,

I am about to start a flock of 15 guineas in about 1.5 months. There seems to be a lot of information about how to feed the keets when they are in the brooder and for the first eight weeks or so, but not a lot of information about how and when to transition them to what I would like which is a primarily free range diet. If I am raising them from keets at what point do I no longer have to supplement their diet with high protein feed? If I want to encourage them to eat as many bugs as possible, how do I determine rations for evening feed/figure out if they are getting enough to eat?

A second question--it seems like they really do not dig nesting boxes, should I bother adding these to my coop, or just let them do their thing?

Keets should get a high protein turkey or game bird starter for the first 6 to 8 weeks. The next 6 weeks should be a turkey or game bird starter (24% protein) after which they can go on an adult feed whether it be an all flock feed or layer feed with oyster shell provided free choice..

I keep feed and water available all the time. I have never had any problems with mine switching to eating bugs, etc. as they become adults. I always have feed and water available to them even as adults. The proof that they are eating other than the supplied feed is the huge decrease in their use of the supplemental food during the summer than what they use in the winter.

They can be taught to use nest boxes. It works best if the nest boxes are designed to resemble something they would naturally use. They are natural ground nesters that like to use hidden nests. Some people have had success using bales of hay or straw the create hidden nest sites in their coops. Others attempt to keep the laying hens locked in the coop until after they are done laying for the day.

Allowing them to have hidden nest sites outside will lead to many losses of broody hens due to predators taking them at night.

Read the thread Raising Guinea Fowl 101 and pay particular attention to posts made by @PeepsCA .

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Hello,

I am about to start a flock of 15 guineas in about 1.5 months. There seems to be a lot of information about how to feed the keets when they are in the brooder and for the first eight weeks or so, but not a lot of information about how and when to transition them to what I would like which is a primarily free range diet. If I am raising them from keets at what point do I no longer have to supplement their diet with high protein feed? If I want to encourage them to eat as many bugs as possible, how do I determine rations for evening feed/figure out if they are getting enough to eat?

A second question--it seems like they really do not dig nesting boxes, should I bother adding these to my coop, or just let them do their thing?

Hi Appleacres, welcome to BYCs!!! Where are you located? I’m in Oklahoma, which has mild winters, so our free-ranging guineas don’t eat a lot of feed. Even in winter here, they find stuff to eat while free ranging, though they do trim the clover short in winter. In summer they have so much to eat outdoors that they barely touch their feed. So, I am careful to give the keets high protein game starter, but I don’t worry much about the adults since they forage for most of their food. I give all of my birds (chickens, ducks, guineas) free-choice 17% chick starter grower with a little brewers yeast added. That’s what the “keetager” guineas eat as well.

 

[My2butterflies]

Hey! Welcome

I too provide food and water 24/7 to my guineas. During winter lock up they eat themost, but summer time I’m rarely filling their feeder. Bugs, fruit, seeds, nuts, and greens are their first choice for eating. So don’t worry that they will only fill up on feed if it’s offered. They only eat what is necessary if they didn’t get enough while free ranging.

I feed mine game bird starter, then grower, and now that they are 8 months+ I feed all flock.

As for nest boxes... mine laid their eggs in dark areas in their coop at first, but then switched to hiding nests outside. I have some “boxes” in their coop to see if they will use them this year, but I really doubt it. They prefer tall grass. At least mine do.

 

[MrsTush]

Hey! Welcome

I too provide food and water 24/7 to my guineas. During winter lock up they eat themost, but summer time I’m rarely filling their feeder. Bugs, fruit, seeds, nuts, and greens are their first choice for eating. So don’t worry that they will only fill up on feed if it’s offered. They only eat what is necessary if they didn’t get enough while free ranging.

I feed mine game bird starter, then grower, and now that they are 8 months+ I feed all flock.

As for nest boxes... mine laid their eggs in dark areas in their coop at first, but then switched to hiding nests outside. I have some “boxes” in their coop to see if they will use them this year, but I really doubt it. They prefer tall grass. At least mine do.

I fed mine exactly the same and they were always such healthy, sturdy birds.

As for egg laying...On the ground anywhere and everywhere. Lol
Yesterday I had 3 scattered in the dirt with 1 laying by the water pan like she dropped it while she was drinking.

 

[MrsTush]

So I tried to get these ding bats to go outside of their fence to our bigger yard where there's grass. 5 finally went out, 2 sat inside the fence screaming at the 5 and 1 went in the coop to roost and just threw a tantrum
I've probably got a month to work on getting them out and comfortable and then back in when I want them back in their fence. There's going to be tick carnivals and parades going on soon