Chicks with Adult Guineas??

[shickenthe2nd]

Hello. I have three one year old Guineas, two male, one female. I put some eggs in the incubator and two have hatched. The first is weeks older than the second. They are fine together under the warming lamp, both thriving. I was told that if I put the chicks with the adults, they will kill the babies. I'm new to raising Guineas and would very much appreciate any feedback about when it's the right time to introduce the chicks to the older birds, and what precautions you take in this situation. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[R2elk]

Hello. I have three one year old Guineas, two male, one female. I put some eggs in the incubator and two have hatched. The first is weeks older than the second. They are fine together under the warming lamp, both thriving. I was told that if I put the chicks with the adults, they will kill the babies. I'm new to raising Guineas and would very much appreciate any feedback about when it's the right time to introduce the chicks to the older birds, and what precautions you take in this situation. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Put the keets where the adult guineas can see them but not touch them. Observe the behavior of the adult guineas.

It is likely that you will have to raise the keets until they can be taken off of supplemental heat.

 

[shickenthe2nd]

Yes, that's for certain. But I am hoping to find out how old they should be before doing this. The one has flown out of the large enclosure I have them in. It is inside, so there is no danger. But it is still quite small. I will put them out with the Guineas, but separated to observe behaviors; when is the soonest I should do this? At what age? Thank you very much for responding. I appreciate the help.

 

[R2elk]

Yes, that's for certain. But I am hoping to find out how old they should be before doing this. The one has flown out of the large enclosure I have them in. It is inside, so there is no danger. But it is still quite small. I will put them out with the Guineas, but separated to observe behaviors; when is the soonest I should do this? At what age? Thank you very much for responding. I appreciate the help.

Some adult guineas will take to little keets very easily. If yours are flying it isn't too soon to check and see the adult's reactions.

The main thing is whether or not the keets still need supplemental heat because even if the adults accept them, they are not likely to provide the supplemental heat that is needed.

 

[SamLockwood]

In my mixed flock I move new chicks and keets to an outside brooder (with a heater) at about two to three weeks of age as long as the weather is fairly warm. The brooder is just a smaller coop with a heating plate in it, and a built-in mini-run below.

After a couple weeks to get used to the new surroundings I'll let the youngsters into the mini-run during the daylight and observe how the adults interact with them through the wire. When I see the aggression tone down I'll let the little ones out to free-range with the adults, starting with very limited interaction: an hour or so before dusk. I'll progressively let them out longer and longer.

Typically, if I move the new birds out at two weeks old they start getting out for short visits around six weeks old or so. I never rush moving them into the "big house" but instead let the birds choose when they want to finally integrate fully and roost with the established flock.

 

[shickenthe2nd]

Some adult guineas will take to little keets very easily. If yours are flying it isn't too soon to check and see the adult's reactions.

The main thing is whether or not the keets still need supplemental heat because even if the adults accept them, they are not likely to provide the supplemental heat that is needed.

 

[shickenthe2nd]

Thank you very much for answering my questions. The oldest keet flew out of the enclosure, the other is still forming feathers and needs more time with the heat. I suncerely appreciate you taking time to help me.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you very much for answering my questions. The oldest keet flew out of the enclosure, the other is still forming feathers and needs more time with the heat. I sincerely appreciate you taking time to help me.

Good luck.

 

[shickenthe2nd]

In my mixed flock I move new chicks and keets to an outside brooder (with a heater) at about two to three weeks of age as long as the weather is fairly warm. The brooder is just a smaller coop with a heating plate in it, and a built-in mini-run below.

After a couple weeks to get used to the new surroundings I'll let the youngsters into the mini-run during the daylight and observe how the adults interact with them through the wire. When I see the aggression tone down I'll let the little ones out to free-range with the adults, starting with very limited interaction: an hour or so before dusk. I'll progressively let them out longer and longer.

Typically, if I move the new birds out at two weeks old they start getting out for short visits around six weeks old or so. I never rush moving them into the "big house" but instead let the birds choose when they want to finally integrate fully and roost with the established flock.

This is sage advice, thank you for sharing what you do with your keets so clearly. I will need to do some rigging to get the best set-up ready. I appreciate your time & consideration.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

I haven't raised any in a while but when I had to keep them inside / in a brooder after they started hopping out, I used plastic chicken "wire" - the green stuff you can get on a roll at Lowe's. It can be bent over the edge of the brooder and held together with a wire, so they can't fly out. You have to be creative with the heat lamp because it should not touch the plastic or be too close to it, or it will melt and cause toxic fumes. I don't have a photo of mine, but you can do it, I am sure. Hardwire cloth may work better in some situations (also on a roll from Lowe's) since it won't melt even if it is close to a heat lamp. You need a pair of wire snips (Lowe's again) to cut a piece for the brooder roof. Good luck with your little ones!