Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-12
GUINEA HENS ARE
VERY PROFITABLE
Growing Demand for Them Be-
cause of Carney Flavor of
Meat.

| Il will be profitable for those whS
raise poultry of different kinds i
some guineas are included. This
guinea has been kept in the back.
| ground from ignorance of its merits
as to its egg producing qualities ana
tine table possibilities. There is less
| loss in refuse of the guinea than OF
| chickens, and the amount of protein
| ia higher, while the amount Of fat is
| less. 1t is estimated that guinea fowl
yield as much actual nourishment as
medium cuts OF beef, pork or mutton.
There is a growing demand for them
| in New York and other eastern cities,
They take the place of game birds at
restaurants and hotels, and young
guineas bring fancy prices early in
the season in city markets.
Guinea eggs have long been es-
teemed for their superior flavor The
yolIz is larger in the egg of the guinea
than in that of the hens, and when
analysed contains more fat. Guinea
eggs are more fertile than eggs from
chicken hens, and it is best to use
hens for incubation, as the young
guineas, or keets, as they are called,
become more domestic in their habits
than when allowed to stroll off with
the guinea mothers. They become so
Wild when left to their own devices as
to not be seen for days at the farm
house. The food costs but little, which
is another point in their favor be-
eeuse they live almost entirely upon
insects. seeds, etc. This diet causes
them TO rank as game birds in Eng
land. where they are kept in large
numbers in parks or game preserves
They are raised in the southern
States in larger numbers than in the
North. Some object to them on ac-
count of their harsh cry; but in real
ity their cry Is no more discordant
than that of ducks or geese. They
put TO rout hawks and other enemies
before the owner can appear, and they
are protectors of the other poultry, on
this account. Many farmers keep
few guineas on this account alone,
and but little stock is taken in them
further than an occasional use for the
table and for eggs. The guinea can
be cross bred with the chicken but
such cross-bred birds are always
sterile.
The guinea is not to be depended
upon as a sitter Four weeks are re-
quired for incubation. The young
keets show much agility as soon as
they leave the shell, and as they are |
so small some breeders place the nests |
in boxes covered with wire netting to |
prevent them getting lost. They |
should be kept in confinement for a |
week, after that they can be allowed |
to run with their mother, if the |
weather be good. The keets will gen.
orally stay with the mother hen for |
few months, and if a good motherly |
hen is selected for their
brood mother, their wild instinct can
be checked to q large extent. The
keets grow rapidly, but, like turkey
poultE, are delicate and cannot stand
cold nor damp when young. It Is best
to have them Matched in May or June. |
The keets should be fed soon after
and as their crops are
much smaller than those of chicks !
they should be fed several times a
day. Do not neglect them for a few
hours or death win result. Table !
scraps, minced onions and hard !
boiled eggs, etc, are best for them. |
Ants furnish the most satisfactory
food for the young keets. and when
allowed TO range they will approprl-
ate these dainties for themselves and
so balance their rations. Bread and
milk are much liked and cottage
cheese: indeed, their diet should be
such as is given the young turkey.
Millet seed is good also. If they are
regularly fed in the poultry yard they
will roost in the poultry quarters.
The guinea il more free from dis
ease than any other kind of poultry
which is another point in their favor
Keets are often sent to market
Weighing less than one pound, they
are then served as broilers, and their
flavor is that Of the partridge.