PET OBSESSION: Guinea fowls attract viewers at NH-5 at Krishnalanka in Vijayawada on Wednesday. — PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR.

VIJAYAWADA: Winged friends from the banks of the Ganga were centre of attraction for passers-by on busy Krishnalanka road on the National Highway 5.

But unlike their counterparts who grace the skyline with their deft manoeuvres, these birds cannot take to wing but definitely add splendour to the landscape by their gracious movements.

Hundreds of guinea fowls, packed in huge cane containers, arrived in the city from Allahabad, and the denizens of Vijayawada are keen on acquiring them for ornamental purpose rather than as a food item.

Says Raju, who brought the birds to the city in a truck a couple of days ago, "This is my second trip to Vijayawada. These birds are popular with people who live in palatial houses. The grey-coloured fowls are reared in a similar fashion as cocks and hens. They eat rice, cereals and bajra. They can grow to a size of two feet in two or three years."

Hot favourite

Raju says there are hundreds of farmers in Uttar Pradesh, who rear these birds as a source of their livelihood.

Most of the traders buy the fowls for a cheaper price and travel down the South to sell them for a premium.

"I sell a pair for Rs. 250 and one for Rs. 150. I and my fellow traders brought about 1,000 birds and we are able to sell around 50 birds each day."

Thriving business

Raju says majority of the clubs and associations maintaining parks are their regular customers. "Club managements prefer these birds as they can add a dash of variety to the ambience. Amidst rabbits, doves, these Guinea fowls add an element of fun to children visiting clubs and parks," he reveals.

But how long can these birds survive? He quickly assures, "If they are reared properly, a bird can live up to 10 years."

After completing his business here, Raju and his fowls are likely to head for Guntur.

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