Farming and Agricultural Technology
Guinea fowl and squabs.
Guinea fowl are raised as a sideline on a few
farms in many countries, and eaten as gourmet items. In Italy
there is a fairly extensive industry. There the birds are raised
in yards with open-fronted shelters. In
England, guinea fowl are
marketed at 16-18 weeks of age and in the
U.S. at about 10-12 weeks.
The market weight is usually about 2 1/2-3 1/2 pounds, but food
conversion is poor.
Pigeons are raised not only as messengers and
for sport but also for the meat of their squabs (nestlings),
also a gourmet item. Squab production, carried on locally, is
rare in most countries with established poultry industries.
Copyright (c) 1995 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All Rights Reserved