Milford chronicle., 1916-03-24

table dellcacy. But that time has sine
passed, and today the fowl is beinl
: raised in capacity, or better still. ha
been somewhat domestieated and is
luxury when served on the table as al
, article of food.
The guinea is SO similar to the pheas
ant that in numerous places thrOughUu
the country it is now served as a sub
stitute for that lordly bird, and witt
many it is impossible to detect the de-
ceptlon.
there are several varieties of the
guinea fowl, both among those that still
roam in the wilds and also among those
which have been domesticated. The
one generally bread in capacity, how
ever, Is the one with which we will deal,
AID trust that you may be able to
learn something from what might have
to say abSut the bird, its habits and
care.
/ will net attempt to describe the color
nor shape of this specie of fowl, as
take for granted that you are as well
acquainted with these characteristics as
l am, but let me say, however, that the
so-called " pearl variety is by far the
most common.
Notwithstanding that the guinea has
been dOmestieated. it still retains that
longing desire to rove, in conformity
with its natural tendency to inhabit the
woods and forests, and for this reason
the greatest care and attention must be
given them TO prevent their returning
70 their natural haunts.
They feed largely upon insects, leaves.
roots, berries and all sorts of seeds
which they seek in the open. They
wander over long stretches Of terra
| firmH," hy almost as we'll as the wild
varieties and seek high places to rOOst
in the open, rather than under cover,
unless watched very closely.
They can generally be made to lay in
the poultry house, provided secluded
nests are provided, as the guinea will
not take to q nest which ls in public
view. The hen must not be disturbed
or intertered with while on the nest,
under no conditions, and for this reason
l would advise that the secluded nests
provided for her should not be gone near
until after dark for the purpose of get
ting eggs, and then they snOuld not be
disturbed more than 1t is absolutely
necessary. 1t is also a good idea not to |
remove all Of the eggs from her nest, J
as this very often causes the hen TO /
SSSA oHobHSA PiaSS AOA thS pul PO9S oA /
laying.
hlgh perches should be provided in
the poultry house for the guineas and
this will help induce them 70 roOst in
doors. They mate in pairs, in their wild
state; raised in captivity, several hens
may be allowed to single cock. In no
case, however, should there be more
than three or four females to one male,
IN ordar n 1aofnFain binrh farfiiifr. in the
eggs.
The breeding season is during April
and May and the hens usually continue
their laying from that time throughout
the summer. Ia many instances a sin
gle hen will lay as many as 100 eggs
during a season. The guinea hen is nat
urally a poor setter, and for that rea-
son, their eggs are generally ineubated
under other fowls or turkeys. The aV-
erage hen can. without a great deal of
trouble, cover Is guinea eggs and moth
er the brood as though they were chicks.
The period Of incubation Of the guinea
egg is about twenty-eight days, or one
week longer than the hen egg, but in
stances have been known where they
Matched IN twenty six days and as many
others where It required thirty days for
the Matching. "a
The guinea chick when hatched Is 1
scarcely half as large as are the chicks
from hens eggs, but unlike the latter,
they run about with much more agility
from the very 6rst, ia fact. almost as
soon as they leave the she'll Owing TO
this, many persons place the nests to be
used for ineubating the guinea eggs on
the floor Of the coop, or else they are
covered With fine wire mesh TO prevent
them from leaving the nest a. soon as
hey are hRtehed.
They sheuld be kept 10 close con6ne-
nent for about q week to prevent their
getting lost. They may be allowed 70 :
'un With the ben after this confinement, !,
Out only when the weather is good. J
Never allow them TO 60 out, even with !
he ben, during bad weather IS they are
'ery sensitive TO cold and dampness.
suinea fowls are ordinarily very healthy,
Iffd-it is said that there are no diseases
'eculiar 70 them. The guinea chicks
hould be fed Immediately after hatch
ng- which is just the sFeveFse from !.
'oung chieks. Their stomachs are very Z
my, and for this reason they must be
ed at once and very often, at least once
n hour. For the first feeding would .
ee0mmend the same as that given the \
hick at its nrst meal, namely, ine stale
read crumbs and hard boiled eggs, P
nelly chopped, or we'll cooked lean meat.
'ottage cheese or curd may be mixed
nth bread and egg If desired-it makes
q excellent ration for them. a
Start to give them green food when q o1
Teek old, and this should consist Of let 3,
ace, eress OF some other equally as is
ood. but whatever Is given, must be v,
nOpped fine in order TO allow them to az
1t it After feeding the little guinea Fl
hicks on the bread diet for one week, 81
range to a ration Of soaked millet seed. er
bis after . time Is supplanted by dry v,
illet seed, and as they grow older, tv
We them the ration that is given the W
der birds. Give them plenty Of animal W