Wild hatched keets

[GuineaCrazy]

I am in need of advice. Our female guinea decided to nest in our garden and her baby keets have started hatching out this morning. She had 16 eggs in the nest and we are able to see 4 so far.

I have a brooder ready for them, but how do I do this? I need help with the process. I have a net to catch the keets, but how when should I catch them? I think there are still eggs hatching, and she is pretty aggressive if we get close at all.

Any advice from those that have been through this would be very helpful!

 

[nchls school]

I am in need of advice. Our female guinea decided to nest in our garden and her baby keets have started hatching out this morning. She had 16 eggs in the nest and we are able to see 4 so far.

I have a brooder ready for them, but how do I do this? I need help with the process. I have a net to catch the keets, but how when should I catch them? I think there are still eggs hatching, and she is pretty aggressive if we get close at all.

Any advice from those that have been through this would be very helpful!

By morning the hatch should be complete. I'd be out there at first light to take the keets before the hen has a chance to leave the nest with her new family and lose some of them. I no longer raise guineas but remember that they were/are not good parents and lose their chicks quickly; only the strongest have a chance at survival if left with the mother.

 

[GuineaCrazy]

Thank you. How do I get them from the mother without being attacked? Lol. I've read a lot of posts where that happens. She is being a momma for sure too, protecting her babies.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you. How do I get them from the mother without being attacked? Lol. I've read a lot of posts where that happens. She is being a momma for sure too, protecting her babies.

Catch her first and confine her while you catch the keets. If you have an area where she can be kept, you can give the keets back to her. They can be very successful mothers if given the opportunity to do so in an area that is not harmful to the keets. It does depend on the individual guinea how good a mother she can .be when she does not have the opportunity to drag keets through wet grass.

 

[GuineaCrazy]

I have a coop but have approx. 3 month old chickens and guineas in there. I was going to put these guys in a very large tote with a screen on it in there for a while. Do you think she would kill other chickens/keets if I put her there with them? I could set a nest box up for her.

 

[R2elk]

I have a coop but have approx. 3 month old chickens and guineas in there. I was going to put these guys in a very large tote with a screen on it in there for a while. Do you think she would kill other chickens/keets if I put her there with them? I could set a nest box up for her.

Every guinea is its own individual. The only way to find out is by trying. I wouldn't do it because the object is to have her and the keets out of the general population not in with others that can present harm to the keets.

 

[GuineaCrazy]

Ok I see. So I am thinking my best option is to catch them and put the keets in the brooder. Thank you so much for the advice!!!!

 

[GuineaCrazy]

Well, she hatched 10/16 eggs. I attempted to candle the last 6 and don't see anything. On Sunday we were able to get the keets when she flew off to eat, after dragging them through wet grass. They are doing well and the mom seems to be adjusting ok. As a mom myself it was hard to do even thoughi know their survival rate would have been low.

Thanks for all your help! This a new adventure.