Many other varieties of guinea fowl, including the Royal Purple variety, are comparable to them. The name of these birds comes from their dark, shimmering purple feathers, though. They are more common birds because of their stunning colouring.
Like the majority of guinea fowl, Royal Purple Guinea Fowl are dotted. Though this pearling is less obvious than in certain other kinds because of their dark hue.
Other than that, they are comparable to other guinea hens and are mostly raised for their meat and eggs. They are excellent at eating ticks, though, and are also referred to as “watch birds.” They are among of the best pest-control birds available.
The Royal Purple Guinea Fowl: Quick Facts
| Breed Name: | Guinea Fowl |
| Place of Origin: | Africa |
| Uses: | Pest control, meat, eggs |
| Male Size: | 21 to 23 inches |
| Female Size: | 21 to 23 inches |
| Color: | Dark with a purple sheen |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Climate Tolerance: | High |
| Care Level: | Low |
| Production: | Eggs and meat |
Origins of Royal Purple Guinea Fowl
In general, guinea fowl are among the oldest species of birds. There are numerous varieties of guinea fowl, but only the Helmeted guineafowl has been extensively domesticated. Native to Africa, this species is most common in the region south of the Sahara. Because they are domestic, they have also been widely introduced throughout most of the world.
The wild turkey was mistaken for this species when Europeans first settled in the Americas. As a result, the Greek name for these birds and the scientific name for turkey are similar. They are not, however, closely related.
Features of Royal Purple Guinea Fowl
In general, this species forms flocks of up to 25 individual birds outside of the breeding season. Most of the time, all of these birds stick together and roost together.
These birds are excellent at stopping the spread of Lyme illness since they are known for their capacity to swallow ticks.
These birds can fly, but only for short periods of time. They must rely on gliding if they need to travel a considerable distance. For example, when startled, they are more inclined to run than fly. They do move around a lot; some flocks are said to travel as much as 10 kilometers every day. Instead of flying, they are more adapted to jogging.
These birds consume a wide range of various meals. They consume anything that is available because they are omnivores. They might eat seeds, grain, and agricultural weeds. Insects like beetles will probably make up a larger portion of their diet throughout the breeding season. They were designed with large, powerful claws that allow them to dig in the ground for insects.
national Royal Purple Guinea Eggs laid by crows are renowned for having a tough shell. To the dismay of their farmer, they are not the best moms and are known to abandon their nest. A clutch typically has six to twelve eggs. However, multiple females may utilize the same nest, making it challenging to identify which bird lay which egg.
The baby guinea fowl, known as keets, grow quite quickly after hatching. They may fly onto low trees in just one week.
Uses
Guinea fowl are known for being hardy birds that rarely get sick. Small farmers are even said to as “disease-free” by others. They can be used all around a farm for various tasks.
Pest control with Royal Purple Guinea Fowl can be successful. Ticks and other bugs will be eaten in great quantities by them, preventing a problem and damage to the crops. These birds will hunt and consume tiny mice in flocks. They can do all this without affecting garden veggies or flowers.
These birds are quite noisy, which some farmers take advantage of. A guinea fowl will make a loud warning call if they sense something is wrong. Because of this, they might make good “watchdogs.”
These birds can be used to produce eggs and meat. Although they taste rather gamey, young guineas are somewhat delicate. Guinea eggs resemble chicken eggs in many ways. Over the course of the breeding season, a female will frequently lay one egg every day.
Varieties and Aesthetics
The Royal Purple Guinea Fowl can be distinguished from other members of its species by its color. Their name comes from the fact that they are purple-colored and darker than the majority of birds. They do not have the same spots that birds of different colors do on their feathers.
Due to their distinctive coloring, their feathers are frequently used as ornaments.
Availability & Habitat
These birds live in warm, open areas in the wild. Farmland and savanna are both common, particularly in more industrialized areas.
Some flocks have thrived in suburban areas of the United States. These birds typically spend their time grazing in gardens and grassy places. Low fences may also be crossed by them so long as they don’t feel isolated from the rest of the herd.
They frequently spend the night on the roofs of houses, which has led to some people calling them a nuisance. The majority of the inhabitants, however, value their ability to rid the area of ticks and other similar insects.
These flocks have been known to fend off cats, and because they are visible from a distance on the road, there is less chance that they will be driven over. As a result, their population has not significantly diminished.
Is Small-Scale Farming a Good Fit for Royal Purple Guinea Fowl?
Depending on what you intend to do with them. If you’re having difficulties keeping bugs off your crops, these might be the perfect supplement. Although this isn’t necessarily what they are greatest at, you might want to take them into account for the production of meat and eggs.
They will produce about the same amount of eggs as chickens, and the flavor of their eggs is comparable.
If you have a liking for them, you can use these birds to produce meat. But they have a reputation for being somewhat gamey. For this reason, they most likely won’t entirely replace chickens in the barnyard.
These birds do require a shelter of some kind. Perches are essential because they love to roost. Insulation and heating are frequently required as well.
They can be challenging to contain in one place, though. They are relatively good fliers and can fly at a young age. They can therefore fly out of any open structure. But you can’t keep male guineas with male roosters because they’ll get hostile.
If you intend to use these guinea fowl for egg production, nest boxes must be provided. To encourage them to deposit their eggs inside, you should also keep them confined to the barn until noon. If not, they might decide on a chance location outside.
Fortunately, feeding Royal Purple Guinea Fowl is simple. If allowed to forage, they can take care of all their nutritional needs themselves. In addition to greens, they consume a range of other insects. The only real problem is that they struggle with wetness and humidity. Younger birds might die fast from excessive dampness.
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Credit for the Featured Image: imagevixen, Shutterstock
