guinea hens dont lay eggs year-round. Guinea fowl . And nobody wants that! The natural incubation period for a guinea fowl egg ranges from 26 to 28 days. A common question surrounding these birds is- Can you eat guinea fowl? Guinea fowl meat is leaner and drier than chicken meat. Guinea fowl eggs look different from other poultry eggs in size and color but taste almost the same. They clean the homestead very well. Although guineas are not commercially raised for their eggs, the eggs are edible, and you can use them like chicken eggs. As seasonal layers, guinea fowl can lay eggs all throughout the year, laying about one egg per day between March or April and September or October. Thanks! I help homesteaders simplify their homesteading journey while still producing a ton of food! Thanks so much for this information. Their eggs may be smaller when compared to chicken or duck eggs, but they are more nutritious and creamier. Since they are a specialty you might even be able to charge a higher price than the usual $3-5 chicken eggs are sold for but that will depend on your market and if your guineas free-range. Yes they can live together like good brothers and sisters. Often these crownish creatures feed on rats, mice, and other rodents. I can easily stick a few more eggs under a broody hen. So, I would be very surprised if having more yolk and less white resulted in more protein instead of less. Guinea fowl eggs are also delicious and safe to consume, with a more flavorful taste than chicken eggs. If youre only purchasing one guinea bird, it can cost upwards of $40, depending on the size of the bird in question. If you are on the more squeamish side, another option is to outsource a local butcher to your farm. The yolk of these eggs is high in potassium, sodium, and iron. My answer is that you can start to free range guinea fowl from between 3 and 4 months of age. Guineas are not usually raised commercially for eggs because they do not lay as many or as often as chickens do, but their eggs are totally edible and can be used much like chicken eggs. Eggs from free-range Guinea fowl hens cost top dollar. Omega 3 influences the performance of cell receptors which helps in regulating blood clots and inflammation. Are you looking to raise Guinea Fowl? The yolk to white ratio of a guinea fowl is different, with the eggs having more yolk than white. Once guinea hens find an appropriate spot, they will make their nests and begin laying eggs. You might be thinking, "Well, duh!". In addition to being more protein-rich than chicken meat, guinea fowl meat has a ton of added nutritional benefits. Helping Mom. The male species are very aggressive toward one another and will fight often. They fit in just about any recipe that calls for eggs and in my opinion, they dont taste any different than a chicken egg but they are smaller so where youll need one chicken egg you might need two guinea fowl eggs. The first option in obtaining Guinea Fowl meat is to raise your guinea fowl then slaughter them at around 13-25 weeks old. Guinea fowl meat is often compared to that of other game birds, such as pheasant or quail, meaning purchasing it from a butcher can be an expensive undertaking. Guineas are not usually raised commercially for eggs because they do not lay as many or as often as chickens do, but their eggs are totally edible and can be used much like chicken eggs. Can You Eat Guinea Fowl Eggs? This site contains affiliate links. The eggs are also very large and have a thick white and a thin, orange yolk. in Agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona where I studied topics like farm animal reproduction, genetics, nutrition and more. Where its great on the bug control front, its not as great on the egg production front. Are you looking to raise Guinea Fowl? This game bird is the perfect size for two and also makes a good alternative to chicken in tagines. I once found a nest in the bushes that had almost 60 eggs in it and still, none of the hens were sitting on it. Most recipes that I found follow the general rules of crockpot cooking: If youre looking for a low-maintenance crockpot recipe for your guinea fowl, checkthis oneout. Guineas are not typically used for large, commercially based food production operations, but they can be used similarly to other types of poultry. . If youre raising guinea fowl on your farm specifically for egg production, it may be best also to raise chickens in tandem with fowl. In fact, most individuals assume that the Guinea fowl eggs are not edible due to their small size. Your email address will not be published. If you decide to use them for meat production, you should harvest them between 12 and 20 weeks old. The eggs laid by guinea hens are triangular-shaped, small, brown-speckled eggs that you can use just like chicken eggs. Creating a cozy, private location helps. It is hard to get these eggs because Guinea fowl hens rare very few eggs in a year. Guinea Fowl Eggs. Thank You! Below we will expound more on why you should consume Guinea Fowl eggs on a regular basis. Many people will try to open guinea fowl eggs the same way that they crack chicken eggs, which often results in a hilarious sight to behold. Guinea eggs are creamier than chicken eggs because of the higher yolk to egg white ratio. Guinea fowl meat has 50% less fat than chicken and are leaner- giving a 50-50 ratio of meat to bone. Let the guineas do the work a guinea hen should go broody at some point if you leave her nest alone and let the eggs pile up in there. They will lay without a rooster, but if you want your eggs to be fertile so you can hatch them there must be a rooster present. This will help keep moisture in the bird during roasting and impart a wonderful flavour. All of this boils down to the fact that guinea fowl have a higher concentration of usable meat than chickens. Guinea fowl, however, look for spots in the field or close to a bush to lay their eggs. Guinea fowl are known to eat ants and other small insects. Check out my garden e-book and printable pack! Many farmers will fund their chicken feed purchases directly with the sales of their farm fresh eggs. They are based on my own experiences and research and are in no way meant to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any health issues. The bird is also known for its ability to run fast and fly well. Guinea fowl eggs can cost more in places with fewer Guinea fowl hens. Guinea hens usually begin egg production when they are 5-8 months old. Do Guineas Eat Snakes? A sick Guinea fowl will never lay consistently, regardless of the diet you give to the bird. I used them in casseroles, in baked goods, or to bake challah bread. As previously mentioned, guinea fowl meat is more comparable to game bird meat rather than chicken meat. + Read More Here. Research shows that guinea egg is rich in minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron. If a stinky smell or liquid oozes out, most likely, you have a rotten egg. On the other hand, Chickens have only about a 60% yield for their meat to carcass ratio. Guinea Fowl Eggs Taste, Nutrition, and Facts. To learn how much it costs to raise Guinea Fowl, check out my articleGuinea Fowl Cost: Cost to Purchase and Raise. If you choose to incubate the eggs, keep the incubator at 99.5 degrees F. The humidity level should stay between 35%-45% humidity. Taste just like chicken eggs personally, I dont notice any difference in the taste between a chicken egg and a guinea fowl egg. All Rights Reserved. Yes, you can eat guinea fowl eggs. Here are some of the nutritional value that Guinea fowl eggs have to offer, which will make you love them more than chicken and duck eggs. Can you eat Guinea Fowl eggs and meat? The average number of eggs usually produced by a guinea fowl per breeding season is 90-130. The guinea fowl is a West African bird with a similar appearance to a turkey. 2. Geese. Although guinea hens have a similar egg-laying rate per week with chickens and ducks, their egg-laying average for the year is relatively low. Guinea fowl eggs have lots of nutritional value to offer to egg lovers. You can use these eggs in a variety of recipes. I have 80 hens, 6 turkeys and goats, horses etc. If guineas are confined to the coop until after they lay their daily egg, they will begin a nest indoors. Guinea fowl will lay anywhere and everywhere, particularly favouring large clumps of nettles. Once soft, pierce the lemon and place in the cavity of the guinea fowl along with a handful of fresh thyme, some salt and pepper. Another way to cook your guinea fowl is with a crockpot or instant pot. Although you can find a store that sells these eggs. Just like other poultry like chickens, ducks, and quail, guinea fowl are completely edible. But when you consider it takes two Guinea eggs to equal a chicken egg, this is very similar. You can either use a candle or pass through a shining light through the egg. The eggs are big and look similar to chicken eggs on the outside, but their shell color varies from white to grey to speckled. However, if you keep them in a fenced area that they cant fly out of, or if you raise them in a cold climate (with snow) then theyll probably appreciate it if you make sure that they have shelter. The very highest quality protein for us (humans) is albumin, which is almost all in the egg White. These eggs pack more nutrients than chicken eggs and duck eggs. They mostly lay eggs between March to October. Before you do, its essential to know how to care for these birds properly; they are quirky and wild, much more so than chickens! 2. Finally, you can use Guinea eggs for dishes that require a concentrated egg yolk flavor. Boil a lemon in a pan of boiling water for 10 minutes. The most common, the breeds that youll see farmers and homesteaders keep, are the pearl guinea fowl (grey with white dots) and sometimes youll also see the white guinea fowl. They are light brown with lots of little speckles. Please consult your medical professional or veterinarian for any issues. Similar to other egg selections, you can get an impressive amount of vitamin B1(thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B12, B9, and B3 (niacin). Using Goats To Clear Land They also have a very thick shell and require a crack with a knife to break them. Yes, you can eat Guinea eggs. 4. I am thinking of butchering my older hens and one male. Put a lid on the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Also the shape is a little different than chicken eggs. This results in a richer tasting egg, as much of the eggs creaminess lies in the yolk. Guinea hens lay around one egg per day, which means you'll have fewer eggs than if you were raising chickens. Guineas can survive longer without food than they can without water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. would they survive in my garden in middle Sweden. DE can improve the quality of eggs if you are having shell problems, keep the feed pest free, prevent internal and external parasites with regular use and . They are safe and do the have protein? It might take slightly longer to conduct a candle test on dark-shelled eggs. They are attracted to the ants' pheromones, which help the guinea fowl find their prey. Although the floating test is not very accurate, some farmers swear by it. Required fields are marked *. However, if you have a larger flock and want to incubate the eggs, you will likely find an incubator more convenient. But there is a big poultry world out there- and chickens arent the only bird around. Your email address will not be published. During the day, when guinea hens lay their eggs, the male bird will stand guard, keeping an eye out for any predators. Guinea fowl also tend to lay about half as many eggs in one season as chickens, meaning that their eggs arent typically used for commercial production. She might keep laying after that but her egg production will be much lower. Understandably, when compared to chickens or ducks, they are not as productive. Alternatively, you can buy Guinea fowl eggs online or from another farmer that keeps Guinea fowls. This is because their meat is leaner and more tender than older guinea fowl meat. Some disorders like Avian cholera and Salmonella will not only make your hens sick, but they will also increase their chances of not laying more consistently. Shall I clip their wings? Guinea keets require a bit higher protein ration than chicken chicks do. Then they take a break for the winter. They contain pyridoxine (B6), folate, pantothenate (B5), vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, and vitamin B2. Many people will try to open guinea fowl eggs the same way that they crack chicken eggs, which often results in a hilarious sight to behold. . Its hard to predict these creatures. Once they do the mother hen will take care of them as if they are her own. Well, this means you will use more units of guinea fowl eggs in place of duck or chicken eggs. In this article: Learn the answer to the questions Can you eat guinea fowl and can you eat guinea eggs? Learn Poultry Guineafowls Guinea Fowl Eggs Taste, Nutrition, and Facts. Unknown to most people, they are a delicious and nutritious addition to your kitchen. Richer guinea fowl eggs have a higher yolk to egg whites ratio. Because of its leanness, the dark meat of the guinea fowl requires more care when cooking so that it doesnt dry out and become stringy. If youve eaten pheasant or quail before, you have a general idea of what guinea meat tastes like. Thanks! Compared to chickens, Guineas are excellent hunters and scavengers. But I mean they are not even remotely the same. So, you need to simmer the eggs and let them cook because doing the opposite might make the eggs dry and unpleasant to eat. How good is their sense of smell, sight, & hearing. Great info on Guineas. Many people who keep guinea fowl, keep them because they are amazing at consuming a huge amount of pests, ticks, mice, snakes, and other creatures. If you get your guinea keets from a hatchery (local or online) you are probably going to get a mix of male and female keets simply because guinea keets dont really come to their gender until they are eight weeks old. Can you keep Guinea Fowl and chickens together? Remember we mentioned guinea eggs are smaller than chicken eggs? But, there are a lot of benefits to keeping guineas I go over all of those as well as the cons in my post Guinea Fowl Pros and Cons which you should definitely make sure to read. To get an overview on how to care for Guinea Fowl, visit my articleHow to Care For Guinea Fowl: Ultimate Guide For Beginners. Its a very special place! Your email address will not be published. The main difference between these two popular types of poultry is in their flavor profiles. Because of their leanness, these eggs require meticulous care when cooking. Your email address will not be published. FTC Disclosure I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from tending my flock. Well talk about all this in more detail in a minute, but first, lets start with the basics. Well, on one hand, the eggs are much more nutritious, because they free range but on the other hand, its hard to find the eggs. by Sarah Toney | Nutrition, Poultry | 8 comments. They will have 2 acres of mature woodland to forage and a huge aviary/ coop to reside at night with old spruce trees inside to roost! Instead of a soft tap against a countertop, guinea eggshells require a swift knock to break open. Although Guinea fowls dont lay as often as ducks and chickens, you can still make your Guinea fowls lay more consistently. It is also low in fat and calories. For incubating eggs, it is safe to store them for seven to ten days. Secondly, these eggs have low cholesterol, unlike chicken and duck eggs. Guinea fowl eggs are also an ideal source of dietary cholesterol. Rules vary from State to State so for example, in Logan, Queensland, you can keep up to 6 without a permit on a 1,000m 2 section. Guinea hens are typically more productive in the first 3 years of their life than when they get older. Advertisement The guinea fowl egg good for spinal cord and spine in newborn babies. This elusiveness is beneficial as it keeps the eggs away from predators. Typical bantam chicken hens can sit on 12 to 15 guinea eggs, while a large chicken hen can sit on 20 to 28 guinea eggs. Guinea hens begin to lay eggs from spring when the temperature rises and daylight hours increase until summer or fall. Guinea fowl also lay enough eggs to qualify them as good layers. Guinea Fowl Considered a delicacy in North Africa, where guinea fowls originate, these small eggs are considered a rare treat as there are only up to 60 eggs laid a year. This is the most monetarily sensible way to procure the meat, but its certainly not for the faint of heart. Do guinea fowl need a coop? They'll eat leftover eggs, chicken, pork, and other meats, as well as a wide range of vegetables like lettuce, carrots, potatoes, corn, etc. Guineas left to scavenge may also give you intense yellow-colored yolk rich with Vitamin A antioxidants such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Or, you can get Guinea fowl eggs online from a site that sells poultry eggs. Just know that they are not the brightest creatures and not the greatest mothers They are known to forget their young here and there in the tall grass and they dont protect them well from predators. Guinea fowl eggs are usually creamy with light brown spots. Guineas are a wild bird that we have domesticated- somewhat. Im hinting of getting guineas for eggs, and found this article very helpful. With their bright orange beaks and feet they almost look too cute to be real! For meat production, you will likely find an appropriate spot, they are commercially. 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