Ducklings and Turkeys and Guineas, OH MY!
Once you start raising chickens, it’s only a matter of time before you start thinking about adding other poultry to your crew. Ducks, turkeys and guineas can be just as enjoyable as raising chickens, and they have similar care needs. If you’re new to raising these other poultry breeds, read on to learn about their care, and how to get started!
Care for Ducklings
We offer White Pekin and Khaki Campbell ducklings. Start with clean quarters that are draft-free. Ducklings need to be kept at 95 degrees for the first 10 days. This is extremely important. Decrease the temperature by 5 degrees every week thereafter, until you reach 70 degrees – approximately 6 weeks of age. A brooder lamp with 250-watt heat bulb works great. When decreasing the temperature watch the behavior of your ducklings closely – if they are huddled together, they are too cold. If they’re evenly dispersed, active, and eating and drinking they are comfortable. Always use a thermometer to gauge if your temperature is right. Place your thermometer between the heat source and edge of your brooder – not directly under the lamp. In the first 10 days, it may be necessary to provide a barrier to keep ducklings near the heat source.
Provide 2-4 inches of suitable litter. Pine shavings are ideal. Do not use cedar as it is chemically treated and could be poisonous. Litter must always be kept dry. Avoid using straw, newspaper or other slick surfaces that may cause leg problems in your ducklings.
Of course, always have fresh food and water available. Feed a quality non-medicated starter feed for the first 8 weeks, such as Manna Pro Duck Starter/Grower. Have enough feeders and waterers for at least 1/3 of your ducklings to be able to eat and drink simultaneously.
Ducklings naturally are drawn to water and may splash and play in their water dish. It’s important to monitor their play and not let them get too wet and chilled. We recommend using a very shallow waterer, nipple system, or add rocks/marbles to the water dish. Do not allow ducklings to swim until they have developed their adult plumage. Because ducklings are wet and sloppy by nature, it is not recommended to house them in the same brooder with chicks.
Care for Turkey Poults
We offer Bronze Turkey poults. Much like ducklings, poults need a clean, draft-free brooder with a heat source. Keep the temperature at 95-100 degrees for the first 10 days – this is extremely important for poults! Their entire brooder needs to be a consistent temperature throughout. There should be little to no temperature swings. Poults are exceptionally sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Decrease the temperature by 5 degrees every week after the first 10 days. The ideal temperature for a 6-week-old bird is 70 degrees. A brooder lamp with 250-watt heat bulb works great. When decreasing the temperature watch the behavior of your poults closely – if they are huddled together, they are too cold. If they’re evenly dispersed, active, and eating and drinking they are comfortable. Always use a thermometer to gauge if your temperature is right. Place your thermometer between the heat source and edge of your brooder – not directly under the lamp. In the first 10 days, it may be necessary to provide a barrier to keep poults near the heat source.
Provide 2-4 inches of suitable litter. Pine shavings are ideal. Do not use cedar as it is chemically treated and could be poisonous. Litter must always be kept dry. Avoid using straw, newspaper or other slick surfaces that may cause leg problems in your poults.
Always have fresh food and water available. It will be necessary to dip their beaks into the food and water to teach them how and where to eat and drink. Feed a quality, high-protein medicated gamebird starter feed for the first 8 weeks. You can scatter MannaPro Chick Grit on top of the feed. We recommend you have enough feeders and waterers for at least ½ of our poults to be able to eat and drink simultaneously. Turkeys are especially prone to starving out – so provide extra feeders and keep a close eye on their development. We do not recommend brooding turkeys with chickens or ducklings for disease concerns and feed requirements.
Care for Guinea Keets
We offer French Guinea keets. Much like turkey poults, guinea keets need to be kept in a clean, draft-free brooder with a consistent temperature of 95-100 degrees for the first 10 days. Their entire brooder needs to be a consistent temperature throughout. There should be little to no temperature swings. Keeps are exceptionally sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Despite this similarity, we DO NOT recommend brooding guineas and turkeys together. Guinea keets are quick and flighty. Your brooder will need to have high walls and a wire lid to keep them contained. Due to their skittish nature, they may ‘beat up’ on other poultry (such as turkey poults) in the brooder.
After the first 10 days, decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week. The ideal temperature for a 6-week-old bird is 70 degrees. A brooder lamp with 250-watt heat bulb works great. When decreasing the temperature watch the behavior of your keets closely – if they are huddled together, they are too cold. If they’re evenly dispersed, active, and eating and drinking they are comfortable. Always use a thermometer to gauge if your temperature is right. Place your thermometer between the heat source and edge of your brooder – not directly under the lamp. In the first 10 days, it may be necessary to provide a barrier to keep keets near the heat source.
Provide 2-4 inches of suitable litter. Pine shavings are ideal. Do not use cedar as it is chemically treated and could be poisonous. Litter must always be kept dry. Avoid using straw, newspaper or other slick surfaces that may cause leg problems in your keets.
Always have fresh food and water available. Feed a quality, high-protein medicated gamebird starter feed for the first 8 weeks. You can scatter MannaPro Chick Grit on top of the feed. We recommend you have enough feeders and waterers for at least 1/3 of our keets to be able to eat and drink simultaneously.
