Milford chronicle., 1917-10-26


eight days. Like the poultry egg, how
ever, they will sometimes break through
the shell several days earlier or later.
according to the vitality of the chick.
Turkeys can also be utilized for incuba-
tion guinea eggs.
The guinea chick when Matched is very
tiny, being much smaller than these
hatched from hens eggs, but they are
much livelier. Immediately upon being
released from the shell they begin to
run around, while the hen S chick will
be helpless for about twelve hours For
this reason il is well to have the nests
used for Matching the guinea fowls
placed upon the floor in order to prevent
the chicks from falling out and becOm-
ing injured. If elevated from the floor,
it is well to cover them with fine wire
mesh to prevent the little guineas from
getting ont.
The tendency on the part of the tiny
fowls to roam cOmpels one to keep them
in close confinement for about a week
so as to prevent their getting lost and
to better acquaint them with their sur
roundings. After this temporary con-
finement they may be allowed to run
with the hen, but in all events, should
be constantly looked after
They never should be allowed out,
even with the hen, during bad weather,
as they are even more sensitive to the
cold and dampness than little chickens.
But, unlike the chicken, they are almost
practically immune from disease. They
are very healthy and no disease is pecu-
liar to them.
The feeding differs somewhat from
that applied to the little chick, in that
they should be fed Immediately after
Matching. Their first meal should be
the same as that given to the chick,
namely. grated bread crumbs and hard
boiled eggs or, finely cut, well-cooked
meat may be substituted for the egg.
If desired, the bread and egg may be
mixed with a portion of cottage cheese,
and this makes an excellent ration for
them. After a weeks feeding of this
sort change to a ration of soaked millet
seed, which in turn is supplanted after
a week by dry millet seed. As the chicks
grow older change their rations to that
given the older birds. The guinea chick
should at all times be given plenty of
green and animal food. and this should
be supplied constantly after the first
week.
When grown, the guinea will thrive
nicely on the same food given the poul
try, and should, when raised in large
numbers, be kept in at least partial con-
finement to prevent the loss of many of
them.
The flavor of the Guinea resembles
that of the Wild pheasant, and thus it
can be substituted for this delicacy with
out much fear of detection, and at a
much lower cost.
Being easier to raise than chickens,
when given proper care and attention,
the Guinea is rapidly becoming a money
maker for the poultry breeder. The
up-tO-1ate pOultryman who aims to make
every branch of his business pay profit
should include them in his yards.
The Guinea is also valuable to the
back-lOt or suburban breeder. in that
they are regular detectives about the
plant. The man who raises poultry in
limited numbers should at least have a
pair of the birds in his yards as watch
dogs. No person, no matter how
sneak thief he might be, can approach
within striking distance of your coOps
but that the Guinea will warn you of his
coming.
Each year the demand for Guinea
fowls in the markets of the world in
creases, and in many places they are
now being raised in great numbers.
Why not get in on this business while it
is growing and grow with it? You can
increase your profits from one of the
biggest industries Of the day.