Features of Chubatoy guinea fowl

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The guinea fowl is not yet very popular, but a memorable-looking poultry. A variety of Chubataya guinea fowl, although originally from hot Africa, has taken root in our latitudes. It got its name due to its appearance and an interesting forelock on a small head.

Chubata guinea fowl

Where it comes from and what it looks like

Guinea fowls are famous for their delicious meat, which is healthier than other birds. There are about 20 breeds in total, although all have the same progenitors - ordinary guinea fowl. When they were brought from the African continent, where they lived near the Sahara Desert, they immediately began not only breeding them, but also selection. It is clear that the main distinguishing feature can be safely called a marvelous crest, consisting of black feathers, which is visible even from afar.

The description of the bird is as follows:

• weight does not exceed 1.5 kg;
• life expectancy at home up to 10 years;
• the body of an adult guinea fowl is 50-56 cm long;
• the head is small in size, without feathers, has a blue color;
• the body is dark in color with a white speck;
• females are larger than males;
• males have a massive beak;
• the egg is light yellow;
• females are quieter and calmer and create much less noise than males;
• males, on the contrary, are loud and make loud cracking sounds.

The amazing and very peculiar appearance of the forelock guinea fowl makes it the queen of the poultry yard. Such birds keep in small groups and rarely alone.

Breeding and reproduction

Those who are going to acquire exotic birds need not worry, because caring for them is simple and even inexperienced beginners can do it. Of course, birds have their own characteristics, but forelock guinea fowls do not take a lot of time and energy.

There are a few things to consider:

1. Winged birds reach sexual maturity at the age of 7 months and already in the first year of life, in the middle of spring, their fertilization takes place.
2. The process of laying eggs begins in May; the female hides up to 5 eggs in a well-covered nest.
3. The bird hatches offspring for a month, which is a week longer compared to chickens.
4. Guinea fowls are good parents: the female does not leave the nest for the entire period of incubation of the babies, and the male tries to be always nearby, protecting the offspring. Moreover, when the chicks hatch, he will lead them along with the female.
5. Chicks are fast growing and developing. Already at the age of 2 weeks of age, they fly to a height of about 2 meters, and when they are 1 month old, their bodies are completely covered with feathers.

There are, however, cases when the hen does not have the patience to bring the hatching process to the end, so the presence of an incubator will easily help solve such a problem. Most guinea fowl farms achieve high reproduction rates of the species in this way: using an incubator.

Just hatched chicks are incredibly active and mobile, but they need a balanced and thoughtful diet. The basis of their diet should be steamed wheat, boiled eggs, finely chopped greens.Specially developed vitamin complexes will help protect the young body and strengthen the immune system. The number of feedings per day should be at least 6 and at the same frequency. You also need to know this nuance: if you put the kids with adult birds, then they can peck them, so you should not risk it: it is better to keep them separately. At the age of five months, you need to reduce the number of male guinea fowls and slaughter the extra ones: their meat during this period is especially tender.

What conditions are needed

A dry and bright room is the best place to keep a forelock guinea fowl. When the weather is nice, birds like to walk in the fresh air, so don't forget to release them. In the evening, like chickens, they confidently return home and are placed to sleep on perches. Peat, sand, shavings and sawdust are suitable for them as bedding.

Even cells are suitable for their content, only certain parameters:

• dimensions should be 1.8 x 0.45 x 0.45;
• an indispensable condition is the division of the cells into 4 parts by partitions: in each of them you can settle 4 females and 1 male (this is how the family looks like in these birds);
• installation of pallets where the droppings will fall, so it will be easy to clean;
• it is important to equip the cages with everything you need: drinkers, feeders and places where females can rush;
• The best material for creating a cage will be a regular metal mesh (it is easy to clean).

Farmers have noticed that in the summer, females begin to hide their eggs and try to hatch them. This should not be allowed, and if there is a need to increase the number of flocks, it is better to use an incubator. Oviposition in birds lasts about six months, but it happens even longer.

It makes no sense to leave the guinea fowl for the second year, due to the fact that their productivity will significantly decrease. In one season, one individual produces from 100 to 150 eggs. If the Chubataya guinea fowl has ceased to rush, it is reasonable to get rid of it, as from the extra five-month-old males.

Interesting features

These birds do not tolerate dampness. They are unpretentious in food, but they prefer fresh and juicy grass, especially nettle, dandelion and cabbage leaves. It is worth noting that such a diet will appeal not only to adults, but to little princes, only for them the greens should be crushed.

During grazing, the winged ones look for and gladly devour worms, various insects, and even snails. It will be possible to accustom chicks to such food gradually. To do this, you need to collect raincoats or Colorado beetles, grind and add to your usual food. This procedure should be carried out for a couple of days in a row, after which whole insects should be thrown into the food. Only after this will the guinea fowls themselves learn to look for pests. The winged ones can be safely allowed into the garden: they do not tear apart the beds, they only peck at greens and melons and gourds.

Guinea fowl is an omnivorous bird, which makes it easier to develop a diet for it. The list of main products is as follows:

• grass;
• all kinds of insects;
• berries and vegetables;
• seeds of plants and trees;
• snails and worms.

It will not hurt to add ready-made compound feeds to food, which will enrich the food. Water must be clean and readily available at all times.

Final part

You should see the unique birds with your own eyes at least once. Yes, the photographs convey all the unusual appearance, but in the life of a guinea fowl it is much more interesting. Even in the Moscow Zoo there are representatives of this breed. In the warm season, they live in open-air cages on the streets, and winter in a special house for birds.

Captivity does not interfere with the bird's breeding instinct, but the eggs are taken to the incubator, because the fuss in the aviary interferes with the incubation process.

Without a doubt, it is worth finding an opportunity to get acquainted with overseas birds, if not for breeding purposes, then at least for general development.