Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-02-17
Guinea.FowI.

People VINO desire 10 comOine tne eS-
thetic and practical in their country homes
should get white gliinea-fowl. They are
really pretty birds, and as they do not
scratch, like chickens, may be allowed to
run on the lawn, where they will gather
much Of their food, and at the same time
demolish plant enemies which cause gar
deners so much anxiety.
Although shy and suspicious OF stran-
gers, they readily yield to coaxing, and
their confidence once gained, become
friendly and devoted, and guard the place
like good dog. In respect Of poultry,
they are especially useful, for they are
keen TO detect hawks, whom their shrill
cry frightens more than gun.
Three ordinary speckled chicks cost
about two dollars; the pure white per-
haps three, not more, and should be pur-
chased in the autumn or winter, so that
they may become familiar with their sur
roundings before nesting-time. All that
is necessary for their comfort is a rooSt
high up in she'd Left to themselves,
they take to the trees, and may get frozen
if the winter is severe, soft is well to COW
er the front of the shed with lightly tackled
up two-inch wire netting for two or
three weeks.
While they are prisoners, feed them
two or three times a day about half
pint OF mixed wheat and cracked corn
night and morning, and at noon about
half the quantity of grain, with a little
chopped meat or ground bone alternating
with vegetables. All this food must be
cut quite small, or the guineas will not
eat it. They must have constant sup
ply of sharp grit and fresh water. AS
market commodity they have been grow
ing in favor for the last five years, taking
the place of game during the closed sea-
son.
Guinea-fowls begin to lay with the
first warm days OF April. AS they are
secretive about laying, il is often hard to
find their nests. The usual spot selected
is hollow in the ground, near tree or
fence post well screened by brush. Do
not attempt to approach it while the guin-
cas- are near. Go away, and return later
with a long-handled spoon. Look sharp
ly, for the eggs are almost the color OF
the earth, and often covered with fallen
leaves. Do not touch the nest. Gulneas
seem able to scent the human hand; they
can also count up to three. For that reason
leave that number OF eggs in the nest,
and remove the others with the spoon.
When you have fifteen eggs, get box
a foot square, turn it on the side, and
across the bottom Of the open front nail a
sat, behind which place a nest oil SOFT
hay. Stand this nest-box inside-at one
end of another box, two and halt feet
long, with sides foot or more deep.
Make cover of wire netting for the large
box, to open like lid. Scatter sand OH
the floor, and nail up a small drinking
pan in one corner. Another motive Tor
the outer box is that the baby guineas are
so little, so wild and so easily frightened
that unless corfined they are likely to
leave the nest as soon as hatched, get
lost, become chilled, and die.
1t takes twenty-five or twenty six days
to incubate guinea eggs. The brood coop
to be used the first two weeks should be
on the same principle as the nest-boxes,
and even when the chicks are on the grass
run, cracks and crevices in or around the
sides must be avoided, for the mites can
squeeze through the smallest places. II
some knot-hole or some depression inthe
ground has escaped your notice and a
baby does stray off, go two or three
yards away, and remain perfectly Still.
Do not be impatient. II may be ten min
utes before you hear anything. Then,
unless all hope is over, you will hear
plaintive little cry. Do not move until II
is repeated three or four times, and you
are quite sure where it comes fron-
Then make sudden dive and secure the
truant, which is usually under a TUT OF
grass. or in some little hole. you move
about while hunting for him, there VIII
not be a sound, and you may hunt all
day with little success.
Give no food for the first twenty-four
hours; afterward, the daily bill OF fare
should be as follows:
First feed, 7 a. m. Crushed henlp-
seed, half cup, stale breadcrlmos, hall
a cup, moisten with raw eggs. Second
feed. 9 a. m.-Millet-seed. Third feed,
1l.3O a. m.-Chopped onion tops, hall a
cup of corn meal that has been steamed
as for chicks, half teaspoon OF crushed
mustard seed, mixed and fed in crumbs.
Fourth feed, p. m. Pinhead oats,
crushed little finer than when it was
bought. Fifth feed, 5 p. m.-Liver that
has been half-boied, cracked corn and
wheat, equal parts. This bill OF fare can
be varied with pot-cheese, chopped let
tuce or apple, custard, breadcrumos
moistened with milk, hard-boiled eggs;
but every day they must have meat
more than chicks need and pepper or
mustard seed Feed in soft wood. Keep
small pan Of powdered charcoal and
sand in the run. and water in drinking
fountain that will allow only the beak to
get wet.