So far, the guinea fowl is not very popular, but memorable in appearance. A species of Chubaty Guinea Fowl, though originally from hot Africa, has also taken root in our latitudes. It got its name due to its appearance and interesting forelock on a small head.
- Where you come from and what
- About breeding and breeding
- What conditions are needed
- Interesting features
- Final part
Spongy Guinea Fowl
Where it comes from and what it looks like
Guinea fowl are famous for delicious meat, more useful than other birds There are approximately 20 breeds in total, although all have the same ancestors — ordinary guinea fowls. When they were brought from Africa continent, where they lived near the Sahara desert, just started not only to their breeding, but breeding. It is clear that the main feature can be safely called a wonderful crest, consisting of black feathers, which can be seen even from afar.
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, without feathers, it is blue;
- the body is dark in white speck;
- females are larger than males;
- males have a massive beak;
- egg of light yellow color;
- females are quieter and calmer and create much less noise than males ;
- males, on the contrary, are loud and make loud cracking sounds.
Amazing the second and the very peculiar appearance Chubatov guinea fowl makes her the queen of the poultry-yard. These birds are kept in small groups and rarely alone.
About breeding and breeding
Those who are going to get exotic birds can not worry, because caring for them is simple and affordable even for inexperienced beginners. Of course, the birds have their own characteristics, but the sponge guinea fowl do not take much time and energy.
Several features should be taken into account:
- The winged reach sexual maturity at the age of 7 months and already in the first a year of life, in the middle of spring, they are fertilized.
- The laying process begins in May, in a well-covered nest, the female hides up to 5 eggs.
- The bird hatching offspring for a month, which is for a week longer compared to chickens.
- Guinea fowl are good parents: the female does not leave the nest during the whole period of hatching babies, and the male tries to be always nearby, guarding the offspring. Moreover, when the chicks hatch, he will drive them along with the female.
- The chicks are characterized by rapid growth and development. Already at the age of 2 weeks they fly up to a height of about 2 meters, and when they turn 1 month old, their bodies will be completely covered with feathers.
There are, however, cases when the mother hen does not have the patience to bring the matter of incubation to the end, so the presence of an incubator can easily help solve this problem. Most guinea fowl farms achieve high breeding rates in this way: using an incubator.
Literally 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 immunity. The number of feedings per day should be at least 6 and with the same frequency. You need to know this nuance: if you put babies in 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, it is necessary to reduce the number of male guinea fowl and kill the excess: their meat during this period is especially tender.
What conditions are needed
A dry and bright room is the best place for keeping a guinea fowl. In good weather, birds like to walk in the fresh air, so you should not forget to let them out. In the evening they, like hens, confidently return home and are placed to sleep on perches. Peat, sand, shavings and sawdust are suitable for them as litter.
Even cells with only certain parameters are suitable for their content:
- dimensions should be 1.8 x 0.45 x 0.45;
- an indispensable condition is the division of cells into 4 parts by partitions: in each of them 4 females and 1 male can be settled (this is the family of these birds);
- installation pallets where droppings will fall, so it will be easy to clean;
- it is important to equip the cages with everything necessary: drinking bowls, feeders and places where females can rush;
- the best material for creating The cage will become a regular metal net (easy to clean).
Farmers noticed that in the summer the 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. The laying of birds lasts about six months, but it can take longer.
It makes no sense to leave guinea fowls for the second year, because their productivity will noticeably decrease. In one season, one individual gives from 100 to 150 eggs. If the Chubata guinea fowl has ceased to trot, it is reasonable to get rid of it as if it were extra five-month-old males.
Interesting Features
These birds cannot tolerate dampness. They are unpretentious in food, but they prefer fresh and juicy grass, especially like nettles, dandelion and cabbage leaves. It is worth noting that such a diet will appeal not only to adults, but to small guinea fowls, only for them the greens should be chopped. To accustom chicks to such food will turn out gradually. To do this, collect raincoats or Colorado potato beetles, grind and add to the usual food. Such a procedure should be carried out a couple of days in a row, after which whole insects are thrown into the food. Only after this the guinea fowls themselves will learn to look for pests. Winged can be safely allowed into the garden: they do not break the beds, they only peck greens and gourds.
Guinea fowl is an omnivorous bird, which facilitates the development of 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 does not hurt to add ready-made compound feeds to the food that enrich the food. The water should be clean and constantly accessible.
The final part
Unique birds should be seen with their own eyes at least once. Yes, the photos convey all the unusual Appearance, but in the life of a guinea fowl 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 and winter in a special house for birds.
Captivity does not interfere with the instinct of reproduction of birds but the eggs are taken to the incubator because the hustle and bustle in the aviary interferes with the hatching process.
Without a doubt, you should find the opportunity to get acquainted with overseas birds if not for breeding, then at least for general development.