250 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



MANAGExMENT 



Guinea fowls have a tendency to mate in pairs. One 

 male, however, may be mated successfully with 3 or 4 females. 

 Guinea hens usually begin to lay in April or May and will 

 produce from 20 to 30 eggs before becoming broody. If 



not allowed to sit, 

 they will continue 

 to lay throughout 

 the summer, pro- 

 ducing from 40 to 

 60 eggs. Ordinarily 

 hens are used to 

 hatch and rear 

 guinea chickens. 

 The period of incu- 

 bation is from 26 

 to 28 days. Guinea 

 hens and turkey 

 hens, however, may 

 be employed suc- 

 cessfully. Guineas 

 are usually mar- 

 keted late in the 

 summer when they 



Figure 243. — Wild, or Canadian, goose. Wcigh frOM 1 tO 



13^ pounds when about 2^/2 months of age. 



PIGEONS 

 Pigeons may be successfully raised and are usually found 

 in practically all sections of the United States, both on 

 farms and in cities. Aside from being raised as pets or for 

 flying purposes, the real economic value of pigeons is for 

 the production of squabs. Squab raising is usually conducted 

 as a special business or as a side line on a small scale in 

 towns, cities and on general farms. An intimate knowledge 



