Guinea fowls are poultry birds originating from Africa and are sometimes called guineas, pintaids or gleanies. They are very hardy, vigorous and largely disease free birds kept for meat and eggs.
Starting guinea fowl farming requires one to :check local zoning regulations to make sure raising game bird is permitted; and selecting a good location with all facilities like clean water, fresh air and pollution free. Purchasing keets is key to success in guinea fowl business. They are monogamous creatures hence purchasing them in pairs is advisable. Keeping the birds confined for 1-2 weeks after purchase to let the be accustomed to new home is important.
Advantages of guinea fowls
Raising and care is relatively easy, they require less housing space since they are relatively small in size and accommodation costs are relatively less. Also, the birds suffer less by diseases, are easy to feed and their commercial production is very profitable.
The guineas are most preferred because they can control pests by eating mice, wood ticks. They eat flies, grasshoppers and crickets too. Finally they discourage rodents from invading the area too.
Feeding and housing
Guinea fowls love to roam freely and forage for themselves. The guineas consume a variety of insects and arachnids, wheat seeds, slugs and worms. They also need some green for maintaining good digestion hence eat grass, weeds and dandelion.
Guineas require less housing facilities. About 2-3 square ft of space will be good for each bird, good flooring covered with material such as wood shaving, chopped hay or straw.
Breeding and nutritional needs
Generally one male is kept with one female but one male bird can breed 5-6 females. In case a female abandons it‘s nest before hatching, move the eggs to an incubator. The incubation period is between 26-28 days.
The guineas require high protein content. Protein level of 4-26% is good for the keets and is reduced to 18-20% for the 5th- 8th week. After 8 weeks, the keets can feed on 16% layer mash.
