Two Guinea Questions

[collegegardener]

I first started my guinea keets on chick starter simply because I couldn't find game bird starter anywhere I went. I know that chick starter doesn't have a high enough protein level, but today I managed to make the trip to Atwoods & found some game bird starter. Anyways, I have had my keets for about 2 wks now and I have yet to see them eat. I know that they do because I have to fill the feeder up and such, but is it normal to never see them eat? They make quite a bit of noise when I start walking towards the coop and they run a lot, but I just haven't seen them eat and I think it's sorta weird

Also, how long should I keep them in the coop? They're about 4 wks old now. I have been told that it is okay to keep them outside in a coop since the weather here is quite warm(between 80-90) even at night. They haven't seem to have any problems and they have actually been easier to take care of than my chickens. I only have two right now, but have read that it is best to have more so I'm about to buy a few more of the same age to add to the coop. At what age should I let them out to free range?

 

[chickenmadness7]

I've been feeding my keets 1/2 chick starter and 1/2 game bird starter. It's worked well for them. I've always seen mine eat and often. So, I'm not sure why yours are being so bashful about it! LOL

I've kept mine in a brooder/coop for almost 5 weeks. They were itching to get out! So, yesterday was their first day outside in a protected run around the coop. They loved it and had their second day out today. It seems like the right age to do so. I've been told that they aren't ready to free range until about 12 weeks or until all of their adult plumage is in. We'll see...mine seem like they could start to free range soon. Will assess week by week and make a decision on that, but I have 5. With 2, you might need to wait a bit.

 

[collegegardener]

I've been feeding my keets 1/2 chick starter and 1/2 game bird starter. It's worked well for them. I've always seen mine eat and often. So, I'm not sure why yours are being so bashful about it! LOL

I've kept mine in a brooder/coop for almost 5 weeks. They were itching to get out! So, yesterday was their first day outside in a protected run around the coop. They loved it and had their second day out today. It seems like the right age to do so. I've been told that they aren't ready to free range until about 12 weeks or until all of their adult plumage is in. We'll see...mine seem like they could start to free range soon. Will assess week by week and make a decision on that, but I have 5. With 2, you might need to wait a bit.

Yea that's what I was thinking, but I'm about to buy two more. I feel more comfortable having 4 and leaving them alone. I want to put them in the coop/run with my chickens, but they're a bit older/bigger so I feel slightly uncomfortable doing that.

HAHA. I did see one of them standing on the feeder earlier when I went outside, but as soon as it saw me it jumped off of it

 

[MeepBeep]

Since no one around me sells game bird starter or turkey starter, I feed my keets that same thing I feed my peachicks, medicated chicken feed fortified with brewers yeast (1 cup yeast to 5lbs chick starter) to bump the protein and vitamins... I personally use the KAL brand nutritional yeast flakes (pretty reasonable for a 'human grade' yeast on Amazon if your local feed store doesn't carry 'animal grade' yeast for cheaper) the KAL brand (as I'm sure some others are as well) is fortified with some addition B vitamins and sorts that is all good for the birds as well...

As for eating, I use the base of those little round circular feeders (no jar on top for such small guys) and unlike my baby chicks that actually eat out of the holes like they should, my keets literally crawl into the feed hole like it's a door and burrow out a little area inside the feeder while they eat...

 

[collegegardener]

I finally found game bird starter at the local Atwoods, and even though it can only be bought in a 40 lb bag it'll work. I just use the small circular feeders too, no jar. I may look into the yeast though, but mine do get some greens and mealworm treats also.