Guinea Fowl
Guineas are a great addition to your homestead and are rightfully named the farm yard watch dog, sounding the alarm whenever anything unusual occurs. They will consume large amounts of insects and rarely bother your garden except to cruise through and pick out the bugs. They are also fairly easy and inexpensive to raise. Once started, they fend for themselves, living on insects, seeds, and grasses. They control ticks, grasshoppers, spiders, crickets, scorpions and almost all other insects. They always will alert you to anything unusual.
Here in Texas they are very popular for control of ticks. They also will discourage rodents with their call and will kill and eat mice and small rats. Here in the country snakes are very common and the Guineas will spot and find snakes and alert me so that I can kill them before they cause any harm. The Guineas themselves will kill snakes also. Other people keep Guineas because they enjoy having them around. They are very curious and interesting birds, having quite a personality. Others enjoy having the various colors, especially the new colors that are being developed.
The incubation period for Guinea eggs is 26 to 28 days. The eggs may be incubated under broody hens or any reliable incubator. Follow the instructions. If nothing is listed for Guineas, follow the instructions for Pheasants or Turkeys.
Start the keets (young guineas) on a good Turkey starter feed (28% to 30% protein). The high protein makes them grow fast. Keep the brooder at 95 degrees the first week. Reduce 5 degrees per week. Keep them warm and dry and you won't have any problems with them. Be sure to prevent drafts in the brooder area. First water given keets on arrival should be warm to prevent chilling. Make sure they can't get in the water or they will get wet and chill or drown. Use marbles or rocks to fill the water area so as to make a shallow drinking area. Also place the feed and water close to the heat source for the first day.
Rhode Island Reds
Rhode Island Reds were originally bred in Adamsville, Rhode Island. It was from the Black breasted Red Malay that the Rhode Island Red got its deep color, strong constitution and relatively hard feathers. Rhode Island Reds are a good choice small flock owners, due to their relative hardiness and that they are probably the best egg layers of the dual purpose breeds laying good sized brown eggs. This dual purpose medium heavy fowl is used more for egg production than meat production because of its dark colored pin feathers and its good rate of lay, often laying 200 eggs in a season. Rhode Island Reds can handle mediocre diets and poor housing conditions better than most other breeds and will still continue to produce eggs. They are one of the few breeds where exhibition qualities and production ability can be successfully combined in a single strain. Some "Red" males may be quite aggressive but at the same time Reds are also friendly chickens with a good nature. They have rectangular, relatively long bodies, typically dark red in color. Avoid using medium or brick red females for breeding because this is not in keeping with the characteristics of the breed. Also, don't breed from undersized individuals or birds with black in their body feathers. Black in the main tail and wing feathers is normal, however. Most Reds show broodiness, but this characteristic has been partially eliminated in some of the best egg production strains. The Rose Comb variety tends to be smaller but should be the same size as the Single Combed variety. The red color fades after long exposure to the sun. Cocks weigh-in at 8-1/2 pounds and hens 6-1/2 pounds. The rooster Rocky in the movie Chicken Run is a Rhode Island Red. I purchased my Rhode Island Reds from licensed APA poultry Judge L. C. "Corky" Higbee of Noble, Oklahoma.
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes
I am really happy with my great Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. This variety of Wyandotte is relatively new and came to the United States from England a short time ago. I was able to get my stock from an outstanding breeder in Oklahoma, Mr. Bill Braden.
Mr. Braden told me that he had purchased his first birds from a lady in Axe, OK who had obtained her birds from the McKinney-Govero Line. Mr. Braden then purchased a rooster from Mr. Gregg Catt of Colorado, and crossed the females he had obtained from Axe, OK. to produce the Bill Braden Line of Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. I feel fortunate to perpetuate the Braden Blue Laced Red Wyandotte gene pool. It is said that the original development of these beautiful birds came from crossing Silver Laced and Golden Laced varieties of Wyandotte's. After much work the Blue Laced Red was developed from this cross. The blue gene will color the chicks either light blue or dark blue in the lacing (the area around the reddish colored feathers) in both the baby chicks and the mature birds.
Therefore you may have birds that vary somewhat in appearance but still display the beautiful colors of this very rare and unusual chick. Mature Blue Laced Red Wyandotte's lay brown eggs and are medium in size with the deep - round -Wyandotte appearance. There are three different Blue Laced Red Wyandotte colors, Blue, Splash and Black Blue.
Named after the village of Welsum, this Dutch breed has in its make-up such breeds as the Partridge Cochin, Partridge Wyandotte, Partridge Leghorn and still later the Barnevelder and the Rhode Island Red. In 1928, stock was imported into this country from Holland, in particular for its large brown egg, which remains its special feature, some products being mottled with brown spots. The dark brown pigment of the egg can actually be rubbed off as it is added at the end of the egg laying sequence. Welsummers have their own distinctive markings and color, and fit nicely into the light breed category, although it has good body-size.
The colorful Welsummer has an upright stance with a strong, short beak, broad back, full breast and large full tail. It has a small single comb and medium wattles. The skin and shanks are yellow. The almond-shaped earlobes are red, and the eyes are reddish bay. While the standard color is red partridge, the male plumage is quite different from the plumage of the females. The saddle, head and neck of the male are golden brown; the back, wing front and wing bows are bright reddish brown. The female’s feathers have a distinctly lighter shaft, and each back feather is reddish brown, dotted with black. The breed was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1991. There are 3 varieties, Silver Duckwing, gold and black-red partridge.
Judges and breeders work to a standard that values indications of productiveness, so that laying merits can be combined with beauty. This is my first flock of Welsummers and I recently decided to breed my birds to the American Poultry Association's standard of perfection, which I also am a member of.
Interesting facts about Welsummers
They are productive for 3 years of their 9 year lifespan.
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Poultry Clubs and Associations
Poultry Clubs
American Brahma Club
http://theamericanbrahmaclub.org
Contact: Club Secretary, Kim Aldrich
12948 Ring Rd., St. Charles, MI 48655
(989) 865-6702, email: kima53@ sbcglobal.net
Ameraucana Breeders Club
http://www.ameraucana.org
Contact: Michael Muenks, Secretary/Treasurer ,
Ameraucana Breeders Club , 33878 Hwy 87, , California,
MO 65018-3911, Phone: (573)796-3999
email: Michael@bantamhill.com
American Buckeye Poultry Club
http:/www.americanbuckeyepoultry club.com, American
Buckeye Poultry Club, P.O. Box 35, Williamstown,
KY 41097, (217) 417-0112, email: info@
americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com
American Buttercup Club
http://www.americanbuttercupclub.com
Bridget Riddle, Secretary/Treasurer, 3030 Orestimba
Road, Newman,CA 95360, 209-485-1413, email:
american buttercupclub@yahoo.com
The American Brown Leghorn Club
http://www.showbirdbid.com/ABLC
Bud Blankenship, 5205 Pundt Rd.
Lewisburg, OH 45338, 937-962-4226
email: budablc@hotmail.com
American Dutch Bantam Society
http://www.dutchbantamsociety.com
Secretary: Jean Robocker, 1655 Montford Rd.,
Kalispell, MT 59901, 406-756-6344
American Game Society, http://
www.americangamefowl.org, Contact: Anthony Saville,
Box 800, Belton, SC 29627
American Silkie Bantam Club
http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org, Secretary:
Carina Moncrief, 23754 Spenser Butte Dr., Gavilan
Hills, CA 92570
American Sumatra Association
http://www.sumatraassociation.com
Secretary: Doug Akers , 300 S. 400 W.
Lebanon, IN 46052, email: dakers@ purdue.edu,
Phone: 1-800-chickens
Araucana Club of America
http://www.araucana.net
Secretary: Fritz Ludwig , 207 Pickens Drive, Pendleton,
SC 29670-9727
E-Mail:secretary@araucana.net
Belgian Bearded D'Anver Club
http://www.danverclub.webs.com
Secretary: Art Cosner, 11709 Cedar Ridge Rd.,
Williamsport, MD 21795
email: cosnerarthur@gmail.com
Belgian d'Uccle & Booted Bantam Club, http://
www.belgianduccle.org
BD & BB Club, 3490 Pruss Hill Rd., Pottstown, PA
19464, email: nniggel@ verizon.net
Canadian Araucana Society
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Canadian araucanasociety
Chantecler Fanciers International
http://www.chanteclerfanciersinternational.org, Secretary:
Mike Gilbert, W5171 Baker Rd., Holmen, WI
54636, email: info@redstagacres.com
Cochins International
http://www.cochinsinternational.cochins rule.com, Attn: Matt
McCammon, RT #2 Box 98M, Bloomfield, IN 47424
email: tomroebuck@cochinsrule.com
Dominque Club of America
http://www.dominiqueclub.org, c/o President, Eddie
Martin, 3740 Hwy 413, Anderson, SC, 29621
International Cornish Bantam Breeders Association,
Contact: Chris Tamayo, 9829 Falcon Meadow Dr., Elk
Grove, CA 95624, email: icbasectreas@gmail.com
International Waterfowl Breeders Assoc., http://
www.showbirdbid.com/IWBA, Secretary: Donna
Street, P.O. Box 216, Rockford, WA 99030, email:
Drcat2@aol.com, 509-999-4073
Japanese Bantam Breeders Assoc.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbba/JBBA.html
Secretary: Ken Lee, 6100 N Panda Point, Dunnellon,
FL 34433, email:mixer100@hotmail.com
Java Breeders of America, Ruth Caron,
http://theamericanbrahmaclub.org
Contact: Club Secretary, Kim Aldrich
12948 Ring Rd., St. Charles, MI 48655
(989) 865-6702, email: kima53@ sbcglobal.net
Ameraucana Breeders Club
http://www.ameraucana.org
Contact: Michael Muenks, Secretary/Treasurer ,
Ameraucana Breeders Club , 33878 Hwy 87, , California,
MO 65018-3911, Phone: (573)796-3999
email: Michael@bantamhill.com
American Buckeye Poultry Club
http:/www.americanbuckeyepoultry club.com, American
Buckeye Poultry Club, P.O. Box 35, Williamstown,
KY 41097, (217) 417-0112, email: info@
americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com
American Buttercup Club
http://www.americanbuttercupclub.com
Bridget Riddle, Secretary/Treasurer, 3030 Orestimba
Road, Newman,CA 95360, 209-485-1413, email:
american buttercupclub@yahoo.com
The American Brown Leghorn Club
http://www.showbirdbid.com/ABLC
Bud Blankenship, 5205 Pundt Rd.
Lewisburg, OH 45338, 937-962-4226
email: budablc@hotmail.com
American Dutch Bantam Society
http://www.dutchbantamsociety.com
Secretary: Jean Robocker, 1655 Montford Rd.,
Kalispell, MT 59901, 406-756-6344
American Game Society, http://
www.americangamefowl.org, Contact: Anthony Saville,
Box 800, Belton, SC 29627
American Silkie Bantam Club
http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org, Secretary:
Carina Moncrief, 23754 Spenser Butte Dr., Gavilan
Hills, CA 92570
American Sumatra Association
http://www.sumatraassociation.com
Secretary: Doug Akers , 300 S. 400 W.
Lebanon, IN 46052, email: dakers@ purdue.edu,
Phone: 1-800-chickens
Araucana Club of America
http://www.araucana.net
Secretary: Fritz Ludwig , 207 Pickens Drive, Pendleton,
SC 29670-9727
E-Mail:secretary@araucana.net
Belgian Bearded D'Anver Club
http://www.danverclub.webs.com
Secretary: Art Cosner, 11709 Cedar Ridge Rd.,
Williamsport, MD 21795
email: cosnerarthur@gmail.com
Belgian d'Uccle & Booted Bantam Club, http://
www.belgianduccle.org
BD & BB Club, 3490 Pruss Hill Rd., Pottstown, PA
19464, email: nniggel@ verizon.net
Canadian Araucana Society
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Canadian araucanasociety
Chantecler Fanciers International
http://www.chanteclerfanciersinternational.org, Secretary:
Mike Gilbert, W5171 Baker Rd., Holmen, WI
54636, email: info@redstagacres.com
Cochins International
http://www.cochinsinternational.cochins rule.com, Attn: Matt
McCammon, RT #2 Box 98M, Bloomfield, IN 47424
email: tomroebuck@cochinsrule.com
Dominque Club of America
http://www.dominiqueclub.org, c/o President, Eddie
Martin, 3740 Hwy 413, Anderson, SC, 29621
International Cornish Bantam Breeders Association,
Contact: Chris Tamayo, 9829 Falcon Meadow Dr., Elk
Grove, CA 95624, email: icbasectreas@gmail.com
International Waterfowl Breeders Assoc., http://
www.showbirdbid.com/IWBA, Secretary: Donna
Street, P.O. Box 216, Rockford, WA 99030, email:
Drcat2@aol.com, 509-999-4073
Japanese Bantam Breeders Assoc.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbba/JBBA.html
Secretary: Ken Lee, 6100 N Panda Point, Dunnellon,
FL 34433, email:mixer100@hotmail.com
Java Breeders of America, Ruth Caron,
195 Northglen Lane, Martindale, Texas 78655
www.javabreedersofamerica.com
Modern Game Bantam Club of America, http://
www.mgbca.org
Secretary: Bonnie Sallee, P.O. Box 697
Pine Grove, CA USA 95665, email:
jbsallee@volcano.net
209-296-8084
Nankin Club of America
Secretary: Mary Ann Harley, 195 Macedonia Rd., North
Augusta, SC 29860
National Call Breeders of America
http://www.callducks.org
Secretary: Dennis Fuller, email:
wapsiwaterfowl@aol.com, 319-334-3497, Mail Memberships
to: NCBA c/o Steve Jones, 9677 Butler Lane,
Poetry, TX 75160
National Jersey Giant Club
Secretary: Robert Vaughn, 28143 CR 4, Pequot Lakes,
MN 56472
National Silkie Breeders Association
http://www.nationalsilkiebreedersassociation.org.
Secretary: Connie Bergquist, MN, premiersilkies@
aol.com
www.javabreedersofamerica.com
Modern Game Bantam Club of America, http://
www.mgbca.org
Secretary: Bonnie Sallee, P.O. Box 697
Pine Grove, CA USA 95665, email:
jbsallee@volcano.net
209-296-8084
Nankin Club of America
Secretary: Mary Ann Harley, 195 Macedonia Rd., North
Augusta, SC 29860
National Call Breeders of America
http://www.callducks.org
Secretary: Dennis Fuller, email:
wapsiwaterfowl@aol.com, 319-334-3497, Mail Memberships
to: NCBA c/o Steve Jones, 9677 Butler Lane,
Poetry, TX 75160
National Jersey Giant Club
Secretary: Robert Vaughn, 28143 CR 4, Pequot Lakes,
MN 56472
National Silkie Breeders Association
http://www.nationalsilkiebreedersassociation.org.
Secretary: Connie Bergquist, MN, premiersilkies@
aol.com
North American Hamburg Society
http://www.northamericanhamburgs.com, Secretary:
Jim LeGendre, 95393 Grimes Rd., Junction City OR
97448, email: legendre@efn.org, 541-998-3944
Old English Game Club of America, contact: Sam
Brush, 1009 Hillview Dr., Keller, TX, 76248, email:
slbrush@ verizon.net
Old English Game Bantam Club of America, http://
www.bantychicken.com /OEGBCA/index.html, Secretary:
Jennifer Wulff - Frank, PO Box 542, Connersville,
IN 47331, email: jenn5314@yahoo.com
Plymouth Rock Fanciers of America
http://www.showbirdbid.com/joomla/rockclub/, Secretary:
Robert Blosl, 14390 South Blvd , Silverhill, AL
36576, email:katz@gulftel.com
Polish Breeders Club
http://www.polishbreedersclub.com
Secretary: Jim Parker, 3232 Schooler Road,
Cridersville, OH 45806
Rhode Island Red Club Of America
http://www.showbirdbid.com/joomla/redclub, Secretary:
Frank Harris, 15483 Coatesville Rd., Beaverdam,
VA 23015, email: fbharris@earthlink.net
804-883-5682
Serama Council of North America
http://www.seramacouncilofnorthamerica.com
Rosecomb Bantam Federation
http://www.rosecomb.com/federation
Secretary: Steven Beaty
P.O. Box 126, Portales, NM 88130, email:
firemannm@msn.com, (575)-359-1074
Sebright Club of America
http://www.sebrightclubofamerica.info
Contact: The Bennett Family, 40 Old Taylorsville Rd.,
Shelbyville, KY40065
United Orpington Club
http://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com
Secretary: Christina Korfus , PO Box 681, Cle Elum,
WA. 98922, email: korfuskluckers@aol.com, 509-607-
0405
Wyandotte Breeders of America, New website is: http:/
/www.wyandottebreedersofamerica.com
David Lefeber, Secretary, 8648 Irish Ridge Road,
Cassville, WI 53806; Ph: 608 725-2179; Email:
dottestuff@yahoo.com
http://www.northamericanhamburgs.com, Secretary:
Jim LeGendre, 95393 Grimes Rd., Junction City OR
97448, email: legendre@efn.org, 541-998-3944
Old English Game Club of America, contact: Sam
Brush, 1009 Hillview Dr., Keller, TX, 76248, email:
slbrush@ verizon.net
Old English Game Bantam Club of America, http://
www.bantychicken.com /OEGBCA/index.html, Secretary:
Jennifer Wulff - Frank, PO Box 542, Connersville,
IN 47331, email: jenn5314@yahoo.com
Plymouth Rock Fanciers of America
http://www.showbirdbid.com/joomla/rockclub/, Secretary:
Robert Blosl, 14390 South Blvd , Silverhill, AL
36576, email:katz@gulftel.com
Polish Breeders Club
http://www.polishbreedersclub.com
Secretary: Jim Parker, 3232 Schooler Road,
Cridersville, OH 45806
Rhode Island Red Club Of America
http://www.showbirdbid.com/joomla/redclub, Secretary:
Frank Harris, 15483 Coatesville Rd., Beaverdam,
VA 23015, email: fbharris@earthlink.net
804-883-5682
Serama Council of North America
http://www.seramacouncilofnorthamerica.com
Rosecomb Bantam Federation
http://www.rosecomb.com/federation
Secretary: Steven Beaty
P.O. Box 126, Portales, NM 88130, email:
firemannm@msn.com, (575)-359-1074
Sebright Club of America
http://www.sebrightclubofamerica.info
Contact: The Bennett Family, 40 Old Taylorsville Rd.,
Shelbyville, KY40065
United Orpington Club
http://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com
Secretary: Christina Korfus , PO Box 681, Cle Elum,
WA. 98922, email: korfuskluckers@aol.com, 509-607-
0405
Wyandotte Breeders of America, New website is: http:/
/www.wyandottebreedersofamerica.com
David Lefeber, Secretary, 8648 Irish Ridge Road,
Cassville, WI 53806; Ph: 608 725-2179; Email:
dottestuff@yahoo.com
