Description of the common guinea fowl
The common guinea fowl is considered a relative of the quail and turkey. Nowadays, it can often be found in home chicken coops. Guinea fowl is also called a parasite exterminator. This bird is also very nimble and quite friendly.
Description of the common guinea fowl
Many farmers are not satisfied with the activity and perseverance of the ordinary guinea fowl, its not serious attitude to hatching eggs. This bird has a habit of building nests anywhere. But these small flaws can easily be turned into positive qualities. If it so happens that the guinea fowl abandoned the nest and did not hatch eggs, a laying hen can be put in its place. If the chicken is not there, you can replace her body heat with an incubator lamp.
Breed withdrawal history
In the first, the common guinea fowl breed falls on the lands of Europe in the fifteenth century. Due to its excellent ability to quickly adapt to the climate, this type soon finds its way to all poultry farms. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, this species was brought to the territory of the Russian Empire under the guise of a decorative bird.
However, already in the nineteenth century, the decorative bird began to be used for economic purposes. Soon, the common guinea fowl begins to grow at the same level with other pets. Guinea fowl stands out among the crowd of its feathered relatives. It has a unique appearance:
- This bird is called the royal bird in the common people, thanks to its unique comb, which looks like a crown.
- The feathered head has a multicolored color, while it has no feathers at all.
- Under the chin of the bird, above the neck, there are baggy growths. The neck itself is unusually long.
- The feathered beak has an interesting hook shape.
- Guinea fowl has an oblong, rounded body disproportionate to the head. Its length is approximately 50cm. the common guinea fowl has a variegated color, dark shade.
- She doesn't have big wings.
- At the end of the body there is a voluminous drooping tail.
- Eye color can be gray or blue.
There is also an albino guinea fowl. There is no pigment in the skin and feathers of this beautiful bird. They have a more marketable appearance against the background of other individuals. The male is slightly larger and a couple of tones lighter themselves.
The breed lives not only in poultry yards, but also in the wild.
Wild birds huddle in small flocks, choosing a mature, strong male as a leader. The wild representative of this species is absolutely not afraid of people. But these birds cannot be called bold either, since they do not go into contact with a person, in every possible way trying to avoid contact with him. From the attacks of predators, the guinea fowl reads in the bushes or flies up into the sky.
Characteristics and lifestyle of the guinea fowl
What are the advantages of the breed in agriculture? This bird does not require special attention to itself, it does not need special care. The feathered one does not need a bright, ventilated room, it does not need excessive cleanliness. The bird does not actually get sick due to its strong immunity.But, despite all this, the feeder and drinker must always be full.
Another plus of this species is that you can not fence off the walking area, but let the bird walk freely wherever it wants. You don't have to worry about the bird getting lost. She very quickly becomes attached to her habitat and after her walk she will always return home. In addition to all this, the breed can be useful in the economy:
- This type is an excellent guard. If uninvited guests enter the hen house, the bird begins to make noise and rush.
- The bird's diet includes beetles, worms, parasites, pests. This species can be taught to eat a certain type of parasite. It will be enough for the feathered one to eat these beetles a couple of times.
- The meat of the common guinea fowl is considered dietary, it actually does not contain fats.
Poultry can be useful for the farm
The carcass is probably not tender, and does not have a peculiar smell. Mint of this breed is considered a delicacy, it is rich in vitamin B and protein. Guinea fowl meat contains a large amount of amino acids.
Nutritionists recommend the introduction of guinea fowl meat into the diet for children, pregnant women, people suffering from exhaustion. It is not advisable to eat meat for the person who has an individual intolerance to this product. In general, there are many excellent guinea fowl dishes.
Guinea fowl eggs
Guinea fowl egg is hypoallergenic, does not contain cholesterol, rich in calcium and phosphorus. Therefore, they are often used by dieters. The shell of an egg is stronger and denser than that of a chicken. Due to its density, the egg can be called sterile, the threat of contracting salmonellosis is several times less than that of a chicken egg. It also allows them to be transported to any distance.
But the price of guinea fowl fruits is quite high, and you cannot find them in every store. The cost of a dozen eggs is about $ 3. The reason for this is the uniqueness and saturation of eggs with useful substances. It is better and safer for health to buy guinea fowl eggs in trusted places or from friends.
The beneficial benefits of shells are worth noting. For bone diseases and allergies, doctors recommend grinding the shell into powder and using it as a dietary supplement, because it contains a large amount of calcium, which is easily absorbed. The contents of the egg are also paid attention to. It is always included in the most popular cosmetic masks. The bird's feather has also found its place in human life; it is used in decorative ornaments and heap of handicrafts.
Bird life
As mentioned earlier, due to its rapid acclimatization, the common guinea fowl is now a common bird in rural yards. In this breed, farmers value quality meat and eggs. These birds bring additional benefits when they destroy parasites from plants. Therefore, many farmers are happy to start them. Moreover, you can also get not a bad profit from them.
Reproduction of guinea fowls is not a difficult process, because these birds are not picky and can easily get along with all the inhabitants of the poultry house. Even wild ordinary guinea fowls can live in the same chicken coop with other chickens because they do not come into conflict, but, on the contrary, show indifference to others. Sensing danger, the guinea fowl are trying to take off. Therefore, if you decide to acquire such birds, the poultry houses recommend cutting off the main wings by about 5 cm.
Conclusion
Guinea fowl is one of the best birds for agriculture. She does not require special care and almost never gets sick.
The bird remembers well the place where it lives and therefore their owners do not have to worry about being lost. Even if the guinea fowl has gone outside the yard, it will definitely come back. Guinea fowls always return home.
You don't need to have any special conditions for their content. These birds easily and very quickly adapt to their new habitat.That is why, the percentage of their survival is about 80%. Also, birds are absolutely not conflicting, they are indifferent to others, do not make contact, at any threat they immediately fly up into the sky, or hide in the bushes. Wild guinea fowls form in small flocks, choosing the largest male as the leader.