Guinea fowl are fascinating birds that are known for their ability to control insects and other pests around the farm. However, to keep them healthy and productive, you need to provide them with the right feed.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about guinea fowl feed, including their dietary requirements, feeding schedule, and the types of feed available.
You may also want to read about white guinea fowl.
Dietary Requirements: Guinea Fowl Feed
Guinea fowl are omnivorous birds that require a balanced diet consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. In general, their diet should consist of:
- Protein: Guinea fowl require a high-protein diet to support their growth, egg production, and muscle development. Good sources of protein for guinea fowl include insects, worms, snails, and other small animals. You can also provide them with commercial feed that contains a high percentage of protein.
- Carbohydrates: Guinea fowl require carbohydrates for energy. Good sources of carbohydrates for guinea fowl include grains, such as corn, wheat, and barley, as well as fruits and vegetables.
- Fats: Guinea fowl require fats to maintain healthy skin and feathers. Good sources of fats for guinea fowl include sunflower seeds, flaxseed, and soybeans.
- Vitamins and minerals: Guinea fowl require vitamins and minerals for optimal health and egg production. You can provide them with a vitamin and mineral supplement, or you can offer them a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.
Commercially prepared guinea fowl feed
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to feed your guinea fowl is with commercially prepared feed. Commercially prepared guinea fowl feed is a complete and balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients that your guinea fowl needs to stay healthy and productive. It is typically available in pellet or crumble form and can be purchased at most feed stores or online.
When choosing commercially prepared guinea fowl feed, it is essential to select a feed that is specifically formulated for guinea fowl. Guinea fowl have specific nutritional requirements that are different from other poultry, and feeding them a diet that is not designed for them can lead to health problems and reduced productivity.
The main ingredients in commercially prepared guinea fowl feed typically include grains, protein sources, minerals, and vitamins. The grains used in guinea fowl feed may include corn, wheat, or barley, while the protein sources may come from soybean meal, fish meal, or meat and bone meal. The minerals and vitamins are usually added in the form of supplements to ensure that the guinea fowl is getting all the necessary nutrients for optimal health and productivity.
Home-made guinea fowl feed
If you prefer to make your guinea fowl feed, it is possible to create a well-balanced diet that meets all your guinea fowl’s nutritional needs. When making your guinea fowl feed, it is essential to use high-quality ingredients and ensure that the diet is balanced and complete.
A typical home-made guinea fowl feed recipe may include a combination of grains, protein sources, and supplements. For example, you may use corn, wheat, or barley as the grain source, while soybean meal or fish meal can be used as the protein source. You may also add calcium supplements, such as oyster shell or limestone, to ensure that your guinea fowl is getting enough calcium for healthy egg production.
It is essential to note that making your guinea fowl feed can be time-consuming and requires a good understanding of the nutritional needs of guinea fowl. If you are not confident in your ability to create a well-balanced diet, it is recommended to use commercially prepared guinea fowl feed.
Feeding guinea fowl chicks
If you are raising guinea fowl chicks, it is crucial to provide them with a specialized feed that meets their unique nutritional requirements. Guinea fowl chicks require a higher protein diet than adult guinea fowl, and their feed should contain a higher percentage of protein than regular guinea fowl feed.
Commercially prepared guinea fowl chick feed is readily available and is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing guinea fowl. The feed typically contains a higher percentage of protein and is smaller in size to accommodate the smaller beaks of guinea fowl chicks.
