| Thanks for your interest in our White Guineas... Click on the pics to view larger images Since we let the guinea hen hatch the eggs, * We have to keep track of when she starts setting them.. It takes 28-31 days for them to hatch... So in 28 days from the day she disappeared.. our eyes are peeled watching for her to bring them out... when we see that trail of white following behind her we gather them all up and bring them inside to a cage we have set up for them.. *In our experience...guinea keets hatched from the hen are stronger, healthier, and easier to keep alive... than keets hatched from an incubator.. Not to mention....the hen did ALL the work... ;O) Our setup consists of a : *regular ole bird cage - (big enough for the rapidly growing chicks) *old newspapers for the flooring *an empty milk jug (cleaned and dried) * a chick waterer * and a light (a light is only necessary in winter months.. but with the air conditioning on it's safer to have one handy) We take the milk jug and cut a hole in the side...just cut on the circle The milk jug will hold 14 newly hatched keets comfortably for up to 2 weeks Keeping them warm and feeling secure We cover the bottom of the jug with chick starter and put it in the cage.. They will automatically hunt cover.. As they huddle they will be curious and peck at everything... This is where the feed in the milk jug comes in handy.. They will be more likely to eat their first food in that secure setting ;O) We like to use a chick waterer with a jar attached.. The waterer is safer for newly hatched chicks because.. The opening is just wide enough for them to drink.. Not wide OR deep enough for the chicks to drown in. It's cleaner.. and the dish automatically fills as the chicks drink the water. (We've seen too many drown in the water dish to ever use anything else) The newspapers keep the tiny little feet from falling through the bottom of the birdcage.. Use your own judgement on the proper temperature.. if the room is drafty I like to throw a thin blanket over the back of the cage.. And if it's still chilly in the room I will turn the light on over the cage.. When there's alot of activity in the cage...you know it's working for the keets ;O) Sun is a big factor in the growing process..and by them being raised inside.. well you get the picture... That's why I place the cage in front of a window (not direct sunlight tho) and open the curtain every morning... When the chicks reach 2 weeks of age we place the keets in an outside cage and begin feeding them a mixture of cracked corn ( * ) and chick grower We put them in hanging cages when ants are a problem.. (hanging cage for protection from ants..ants will kill them in no time flat!) As the guineas grow and reach a certain size..they are then placed in a third cage This cage is on the ground..but protected so other critters can't get in.. At this stage they are fed only cracked corn.. This is where they will stay until they have grown big enough to protect themselves from predators.. Then they are set free during the day and put in a pen at night until they are sold...usually at age 3-4 months.. |
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| These are guinea keets at 1 week of age.. The tooth is gone & They're starting to develop little wings! |
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| White |
| Pied |
| These are guinea keets at 2 weeks of age.. See how much they have grown in just a week! |
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| These are guinea keets at 3 weeks of age.. They now have fully developed wings And KNOW just how to use them.. |
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| These are guinea keets at 4 weeks of age.. They are almost big enough to add to the rest of the flock..or sell.. |
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| These are guinea keets at 5 weeks of age.. Now we see that the pied keets are looking more & more like Pearl Grey! Only time will tell..... |
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| Back to Guineas |
| These are guinea keets at 6 weeks of age.. |
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| These are guinea keets at 7 weeks of age.. |
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| These are guinea keets at 8 weeks of age.. They have been added to the chicken pen... It's almost time to sell!! |
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| These are guinea keets at 9 weeks of age.. They love living with all the other critters..They now roam free during the day to get them used to protecting themselves.. At night they are still penned up along with the other birds.. They are beautiful!! |
| These are guinea keets at 10 weeks of age.. Loving the freedom!! |
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| These are guinea keets at 11 weeks of age.. Almost ready to find new homes... |
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| These are guinea keets at 12 weeks of age... They are almost the size of a full grown hen... and ready to be sold.. |
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