Guineafowl price

Guineafowl

Guineafowl (alternatively called "pet speckled hens" or "original fowl") are small, plump terrestrial birds with long tails and short legs.

Males have a mixture of iridescent black, brown, buff and white plumage. Females are overall sandy brown with a light-barred underside. Both sexes have a downy texture to their feathering, and 17 species have been recorded in Colombia.

In the New World quail (Odontophoridae), males have a misleading pattern of sexual dimorphism. Males often have ornamental plumes on the back of their heads, which are displayed during courtship. Males fight one another for the females to win mating rights.

They measure around 30 cm (12 in) long, including its relatively long tail. The guineafowl is identifiable by its colourful facial feathers and its brown, pink, blue and grey plumage. Round brightly coloured red spots decorate the wings while the tail is black with white barring; in flight, they show a flash of bright pink from their brighter primary feathers underwing

The scientific name for guineafowl (Numididae) is derived from "Guine" (their type genus) and the Latin " avis ", meaning bird. Guineafowl meat is drier and leaner than chicken meat, with a gamey flavour. It has become more popular in recent years, as a more healthy alternative to other types of poultry. Guineafowl eggs are approximately 40% richer than chicken eggs, and more easily digested by people with compromised immune systems.

The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) lives in small groups of up to 30 or 40 birds. Although they are not very aggressive, the males often fight each other for food and for mates. The female lays four to eight eggs at one time in a shallow, sometimes unlined, scrape nest on the ground.

The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) lives in small groups of up to 30 or 40 birds. Although they are not very aggressive, the males often fight each other for food and for mates. The female lays four to eight eggs at one time in a shallow, sometimes unlined, scrape nest on the ground.

Global guineafowl production

In 2019, guineafowl meat production is forecast to reach 378 000 tonnes, a slight increase from the previous year. The vast majority of this production will come from Africa, with the top five producing countries being Nigeria (103 000 tonnes), Burkina Faso (70 000 tonnes), Ivory Coast (42 400 tonnes), Niger (41 500 tonnes), and Senegal (25 200 tonnes). Together, these countries account for over 80% of global guineafowl meat production. The leading producers of guineafowl eggs are also located in Africa, with Nigeria (2.7 million dozen eggs), Burkina Faso (1.6 million dozen eggs), Ivory Coast (1.1 million dozen eggs), Niger (0.9 million dozen eggs), and Senegal (0.6 million dozen eggs) being the top five countries. These five countries produce a combined total of over 80% of global guineafowl egg production. The majority of guineafowl meat and egg production takes place in small-scale, backyard operations. However, there is a growing trend towards industrial-scale production, particularly in Ivory Coast and Nigeria. In Ivory Coast, the leading producer of guineafowl meat, there are now several large-scale farms that produce over 1 000 tonnes of meat per year. These farms use intensive production methods, including battery cage systems and artificial lighting, to boost productivity. Nigeria also has a number of large-scale guineafowl farms, although the majority of production still takes place on small-scale operations. Global demand for guineafowl meat and eggs is growing, driven by rising incomes and urbanization in Africa. In particular, there is a growing appetite for guineafowl meat in Nigeria, where it is considered a delicacy. Guineafowl meat is also popular in other parts of Africa, as well as in Europe and North America. As demand for guineafowl products continues to grow, there is potential for further expansion of industrial-scale production operations. However, small-scale farmers are likely to continue to play a significant role in the guineafowl meat and egg industry, particularly in Africa.