Guinea fowl keets
Guinea fowl meat fetches a premium, above all in the northern regions, and the grown birds need very little housing. The first weeks are the hard part. Keets are small, they chill quickly and they do badly on damp litter.
- Brood them a little warmer than chicks and keep the floor completely dry.
- Feed a high-protein starter. A broiler starter works if a game-bird starter is not available.
- Use shallow drinkers with pebbles or marbles in them so keets cannot drown.
- Expect four to five months to reach a good market weight.
Turkey poults
Turkeys are raised mainly for the festive season, so count back from December. Poults started in July or August are ready on time.
- Poults are slow to find feed and water. Dip each beak in water on arrival and use a bright feed tray.
- They need a higher-protein starter than chicks for the first weeks.
- Keep young turkeys off ground where chickens have been kept. Chickens carry blackhead disease, which is far more deadly to turkeys.
- Plan for five to six months of growing.
Quail chicks
Quail need very little space and they pay back fast. Hens start laying at six to eight weeks and lay most days after that. The eggs sell at a premium in the cities. Quail need a high-protein feed and a house that keeps out rats and draughts.
Current prices
| Bird | Each, from | Per box, from |
|---|---|---|
| Guinea fowl keets | GH₵ 17 | GH₵ 850 (box of 50) |
| Turkey poults | GH₵ 65 | GH₵ 650 (box of 10) |
| Quail chicks | Ask for today's price | – |
| Guinea fowl fertile eggs | GH₵ 10 | – |
Want to hatch your own? See fertile hatching eggs.
Questions farmers ask
How long do guinea fowl eggs take to hatch?
Guinea fowl eggs hatch in 26 to 28 days. Turkey eggs take 28 days, chicken eggs 21 days and quail eggs 17 to 18 days.
Why do my keets keep dying?
The usual causes are cold, damp litter and drowning in deep drinkers. Keep the brooder warm and dry, use shallow drinkers with pebbles in them, and feed a high-protein starter.
When should I buy turkey poults for Christmas?
Turkeys need five to six months to grow, so poults for December should be started in July or August.