Farm Diversification

The market is for meat and feathers, but primary interest is in the meat market. The birds are classified as poultry, not game, and cannot therefore be hung to enhance the flavour, but must be eviscerated on slaughter.

Production costs in the UK are higher than elsewhere in Europe, where the larger scale of production allows lower unit costs. Most imported carcasses are frozen and it is possible that local markets for fresh oven-ready birds could be developed. To do so, a consistent high quality would have to be maintained. Keeping several different flocks will allow all-year-round production.

Year-round housing, with heating to 25.50C to achieve breading out of normal season. Adequate feel supply (Feed Conversion Ratio = 2.75:1). Adequate water supply. Controlled light, for breeding. One male to 6 - 10 females, but kept in flocks.

Fertility 75 - 80% should be possible. AI raises fertility to 8- - 85%. Record-keeping is important. Large-scale flocks tend to use AI, but semen quality is likely to be low (work on 1 male to 3 females).

If eggs are stored before incubating, this should be at 13 - 150C, 75% humidity, for not more than 7 days. Incubator capacity: 10 guinea fowl eggs take the space of 7 chicken eggs. They take 28 days to hatch.

UK birds are killed at 9 weeks, when they have reached 1.75 - 2lb weight. They sell at c.£1.00 - £1.90/lb, oven-ready. Retail price up to £2.50/kg. Free-range birds are sold at 4 months (2.5 - 3lb) and obtain £2.75 - £2.85/bird.

Females can produce up to 100 eggs or more in first year of laying. Normally, this would not start until 9 months, but intensive management can bring forward to 4½ - 5 months. An important by-product results from the feathers, which on mature birds sell for £6/lb (younger birds' feathers fetch £2.50/lb) for use as fishing flies.

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.