Indigenous Guinea Fowl rescued keet

[Gill-b]

The keet is now five weeks and 6 days old (41 days total) and is doing very well on the starter feed.

At what age do I start weaning it off the starter feed onto wild bird seed (made up with seeds for the indigenous birds here) in preparation for its release?

In the meantime I have been making enquiries into finding a flock for it, in hopes of finding one on a farm where there is no hunting of Guinea Fowls - this proving to be a difficult task.

Also... the keet has taken to eating ants in a big way. Is this normal? Should I be worried that the keet is eating so much "acid" from the ants?

 

[R2elk]

The keet is now five weeks and 6 days old (41 days total) and is doing very well on the starter feed.

At what age do I start weaning it off the starter feed onto wild bird seed (made up with seeds for the indigenous birds here) in preparation for its release?

In the meantime I have been making enquiries into finding a flock for it, in hopes of finding one on a farm where there is no hunting of Guinea Fowls - this proving to be a difficult task.

Also... the keet has taken to eating ants in a big way. Is this normal? Should I be worried that the keet is eating so much "acid" from the ants?

The recommendation is 6 to 8 weeks for the game bird starter feed

Ants are fine for it to eat.

 

[Gill-b]

Thank you @R2elk
I really appreciate your helpful advice.

 

[Gill-b]

A few weeks ago I saw a family of Guinea Fowl early one morning, just before sunrise, while I was out walking my dog.

What was noticeable about this particular family was that it was very small. Just one male (at least I think it was a male), one female and one keet, (which is roughly a week older than the keet I have with me). The Guinea Fowl family units that we usually see in the area are much bigger, with at least three females.

My guess is (and I could be very wrong) that it is a very young family in perhaps their first year of breeding?

The one I think is a male, coming over to see what my dog and I were about.

The female with the single keet, staying on the other side of the road.

The whole family together, with the "male" standing to the right of the power box. (Notice the ginger cat on the wall.)

How this relates to my keet is that two days ago an alone female Guinea Fowl came briskly walking along our street, calling out as if trying to find her keet. I am almost positive that it is the same female as the one in the photos. (I felt very sorry for her).

The keet and I were outside in our driveway and we both watched her through the gate as she went by. The gate has gaps that are wide enough for an adult Guinea Fowl to fit through. The keet stood up straight and was curious but showed no indication that it wanted to join the adult Guinea Fowl.

 

[tranquiliti]

A few weeks ago I saw a family of Guinea Fowl early one morning, just before sunrise, while I was out walking my dog.

What was noticeable about this particular family was that it was very small. Just one male (at least I think it was a male), one female and one keet, (which is roughly a week older than the keet I have with me). The Guinea Fowl family units that we usually see in the area are much bigger, with at least three females.

My guess is (and I could be very wrong) that it is a very young family in perhaps their first year of breeding?

View attachment 3753676
The one I think is a male, coming over to see what my dog and I were about.

View attachment 3753681
The female with the single keet, staying on the other side of the road.

View attachment 3753682
The whole family together, with the "male" standing to the right of the power box. (Notice the ginger cat on the wall.)

How this relates to my keet is that two days ago an alone female Guinea Fowl came briskly walking along our street, calling out as if trying to find her keet. I am almost positive that it is the same female as the one in the photos. (I felt very sorry for her).

The keet and I were outside in our driveway and we both watched her through the gate as she went by. The gate has gaps that are wide enough for an adult Guinea Fowl to fit through. The keet stood up straight and was curious but showed no indication that it wanted to join the adult Guinea Fowl.

Too adorable!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Gill-b]

Some Guinea Fowl dropped by this morning while the keet and I were in the driveway.

The keet showing some interest after coming out from hiding behind me.

One can just make out one fowl on the right and two on the left side of the keet.

The closest the keet has been to another Guinea Fowl since it was a day old.

 

[Gill-b]

The keet is now 9 weeks and 3 days old.

This morning was exciting for both of us, when a large Guinea Fowl family showed up. There were six adults and many almost-adult-size keets which were too busy running around to count properly.

At first "my" keet sat in my arms looking at the others in wonder, but slowly it build up some courage and went over to interact.

The arrow is pointing at "my" keet.

"My" keet standing closest to the camera.

(I apologise for the poor quality of the next three images - I blame it on poor early morning lighting.) My keet took a liking to this one adult who showed concern for when it was at my side.

Watching very closely.

Very interested in "conversing".

The family unit left as quickly as they arrived and the keet followed me inside for breakfast.

This interaction with other Guinea Fowl feels very positive, especially when they accepted without hesitation.

What are your thoughts on it?

 

[Gill-b]

Very interested in "conversing"

Since I have not much experience with fowls of any kind, as all my past rescued birds have been nest bound chicks, is the interaction seen in this above pic between "my" keet and the adult Guinea Fowl significant in any way? In other words what is the keet's body language saying by trying to get as close to the adult's face as possible? If I have to take a guess I would say that the keet is mock begging for food, to be fed directly into its beak from the adult?

 

[R2elk]

Since I have not much experience with fowls of any kind, as all my past rescued birds have been nest bound chicks, is the interaction seen in this above pic between "my" keet and the adult Guinea Fowl significant in any way? In other words what is the keet's body language saying by trying to get as close to the adult's face as possible? If I have to take a guess I would say that the keet is begging for food, to be fed directly into its beak from the adult?

No, guineas do not feed keets. They may show them food but will not feed them.

This is a common habit among turkey poults where they will clean food off of each other's beaks. It is more of a grooming/submission thing than anything else.

Song birds and pigeons do feed their young. Guineas don't.

 

[Gill-b]

It is more of a grooming/submission thing than anything else.

So this is a good sign that the keet could possibly be integrated into a Guinea Fowl flock if it is showing submission to another of its kind?