FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Diseases of guinea fowl and their management
M.J. Prabu
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The birds are good egg layers, and are suited for backyard rearing
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— Photo: Shaju John
DIETARY REQUIREMENT: Unlike local chicken varieties, guinea fowls require high amounts of protein and minerals in their feed.
GUINEA FOWLS are mainly raised for eggs and meat. Being robust by nature, they can thrive well in drought prone regions. The birds feed on a wide variety of insects and crop pests.
The most commonly available commercial breeds are the Red Wattled, Blue Wattled and the pure white Pearl Millet, according to Dr. F.R. Sheriff, Director of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai.
Guinea fowls attain maturity in seven months, and lay between 80 and 150 eggs a year. Each egg weighs about 40 gms.
Non-brooders
"The birds generally do not have the habit of brooding. Farmers can use `desi' chicken to hatch the eggs along with chicken eggs," said Dr. Sheriff.
The eggs hatch in about 28 days. Newly hatched keets (young ones) weigh about 17-20 gms each.
The fowls should be bought when they are three months old, and gradually allowed to get acclimatised to the new environment for at least three months, according to Dr. Sheriff.
Feed content
Unlike local chicken varieties, guinea fowls require high amounts of protein and minerals in their feed. On an average each adult guinea bird consumes about 200 gms of grass and weeds a day.
According to Dr. T. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Professor, TANUVAS, Guinea fowls, though hardy and resistant, are susceptible to viral diseases such as ranikhet; bacterial infections (E.coli); protozoan diseases (coccidiosis) and verminous infestations (round worms).
"Ranikhet infestation is usually noticed in a large flock of birds kept in confinement," said Dr. Senthil.
Administration of ranikhet vaccine to the keets one week after hatching and repeating it at 8-10 weeks of age may help in controlling the infection.
E-coli is found to affect young keets of about 8-12 weeks of age, he said. "The infection is caused mainly due to poor litter management (caused by damp flooring material)," he said.
Sawdust is the most common flooring material used in poultry cages. During the monsoon and in winter the sawdust becomes damp and wet leading to E-coli infections.
"Administering common antibiotics can control the infection," Dr. Senthil pointed out.
Coccidiosis infection (severe diarrhoeal condition common in poultry) is mainly noticed during winter.
"Unhygienic cage maintenance causes this infection." The cage has to be cleaned regularly and kept dry to prevent this infection. Roundworm infestations mostly affect adult birds. "Deworming every two months can effectively control it," he explained.
Keet mortality
Another limiting factor in guinea fowl rearing is keet mortality. Keets require high amounts of proteins and minerals in their feed from the first week of hatching. Deficiency in these could cause poor growth and susceptibility to infections.
Confined rearing
It is also advisable to keep the newly hatched keets in closed cages for three months to prevent them from being attacked by predators such as dogs, cats and eagles, said Dr. Senthil.
"If properly maintained adult guinea fowls can fetch a price of about Rs. 250 a pair in the local market.
"As the birds are good egg layers, they are ideally suited for backyard rearing," he said.
For more information, readers may contact the Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS, Chennai 600051, Tamil Nadu, Phone: 044-25551579, e-mail: deetanuvas@vsnl.com.
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