Is 2 weeks too soon

EggsUnderHen · **Joined:** Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:49 am **Posts:** 5

Is 2 weeks too soon for guinea fowl chicks to be off heat as I have read they need heat for 6 weeks and someone is selling chicks at 2 weeks and saying they are off heat

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Personally I have mine on heat until they have most of their feathers which can vary in time, between 6 and 12 weeks. Unless you have alot of keets or chicks to keep eachother warm which is called a cold brooder, you would risk losing chicks. When the weather is hot as it has been here 40*c some days I do turn off my brooder light during the day.

EggsUnderHen · **Joined:** Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:49 am **Posts:** 5

Thanks very much I thought it was way to soon I will pass on them

bypekins · **Joined:** Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:24 am **Posts:** 2

Well sorry but whoever is selling them is putting money before the chicks health and that makes by blood pressure rise. There is no way anyone should sell chicks at 2 week and claim they do not need heating that is just plain stupid and they should not have any birds at all. Sorry for my first post being on my soap box but I read this and it upset me

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

It doesn't mean you should pass on them, however, if you are not set up for a brooder with lights then its best to let them be. A brooder with lights is however not hard to set up and I am sure that there are plenty of posts and information on this forum regarding it.

kelliecat · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:33 pm

A really simple brooder box that has worked for friends in the past if they are in a jam, is a large cardboard box and a desk lamp. They used a lamp with a movable lamp shade and directed the light down so it warmed an area the chicks could sit in. They also used simple halogen light bulbs that you buy from the supermarket. One bit of advice...don't use touch lamps as the brooder box looks possessed as every time they stand on the base it goes dim, bright, brightest, off. Very funny to watch though. I hope this helps.

bypekins · **Joined:** Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:24 am **Posts:** 2

Many thanks to both of you I decided not to buy them as they are too young but I will make a brooding box as that is a very good idea

Lazycoop · **Joined:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:44 am **Posts:** 1

I think the main point here is a person is telling you that 2 week old chicks do not need any heat and that is wrong so I would say not to buy anything from them ever

EggsUnderHen · **Joined:** Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:49 am **Posts:** 5

Yes your right that was the main reason I asked and wanted people to be fully aware of

FOWLSPLAYING · **Joined:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:27 am **Posts:** 2

I sell at the markets in woodridge sometimes and I have never sold chicks that young I wait until they are 5 to 6 weeks then offer them for sale if kinder the the fowl and the buyers

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