Essential Care Tips for Raising Strong and Healthy Keets
Keets are the young guinea fowl chicks. Keets require proper care and management to grow into strong, healthy, and productive guinea fowl hen or cock. Unlike chickens, guinea fowl are more sensitive in their early stages and need special attention. Below are key care tips to support raising strong and healthy keets.:
keys Tips to Support raising strong and healthy keeys
1. Provide Proper Brooding Conditions
Keets need warmth, especially in their first few weeks of life. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a brooder temperature of 35°C (95°F) for the first week and reduce it gradually by 5°C each week until they are fully feathered. A heat lamp or brooder can be used to keep the birds warm, ensuring they have enough space to move closer or away from the heat source as needed.
2. Feed a Nutritious Diet
Guinea fowl keets require high-protein feed for strong growth. The farmers is to endeavour and provide a starter feed with 24–28% protein for the first six weeks, then gradually transition to grower feed (which contains 18–20% protein). Apart from the protein content, it is also necessary to ensure their diet includes essential vitamins and minerals for bone development and boosting of the immune system.
3. Clean, Fresh Water Supply
Always provide clean and fresh drinking water. Keets can dehydrate quickly, therefore, their water sources must be checked regularly. Also, vitamins and electrolytes must be added to the water served to the flock in the first few days to help boost their immunity and reduces stress.
4. Maintain a Clean Environment
A dry, clean brooder or housing space is essential to prevent diseases. The farmer must provide absorbent bedding materials like wood shavings which can be replaced regularly . Furthermore, keep the brooder well-ventilated but free from direct drafts to avoid chilling the keets.
5. Prevent Piling and Overcrowding
Guinea keets tend to pile on each other when scared or cold, which can lead to injuries or death. Therefore, provide adequate space—at least 1 square foot per keet—and reduce stressors like loud noises or sudden disturbances.
6. Protect Against Predators
Guinea fowl are naturally alert but highly vulnerable as keets. Secure their brooder and growing space with strong wire mesh to keep out predators like rats, snakes, and cats.
7. Gradual Transition to Free-Range
Guinea fowl thrive best when allowed to free-range, but keets should not be released too early. Keep them confined for the first 6 to 8 weeks to ensure they recognize their home. When transitioning, do so gradually by allowing them short periods outside in a safe, enclosed area.
8. Disease Prevention and Health Monitoring
Monitor keets for signs of illness, such as weakness, loss of appetite, or difficulty breathing. Stick to a proper vaccination and deworming schedule as recommended by a poultry expert or veterinarian.
Conclusion –
Caring for guinea fowl keets require patience and proper management. With the right practices, which include ensuring warmth, proper nutrition, clean water, and a safe environment, you are setting up your keet flock for a strong, healthy and productive life.
Do you have experience raising guinea fowl keets? Share your tips or ask questions in the comments—we’re here to help!
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Read more on guinea fowl https://poultrygist.com.ng/2025/03/guinea-fowl-breeding-habits/
https://poultrygist.com.ng/2022/06/guinea-fowl-farming/
