In nature, there are several species of guinea fowl, but only one of them - ordinary - was domesticated. As soon as this happened, the bird began to be used on the farm. And such an event raised the question of how to identify the female and what gender differences exist. The coverage of this issue is the topic of this article.
Why know the difference?
Knowing the sex of guinea fowl will help to competently organize the existing tribe. For effective breeding for one male, 5 guinea fowl are needed, i.e. for a female flock of 20 goals, 4 males will be needed, therefore it is advisable to determine the gender before purchase.
Of course, in the poultry farm, females that produce eggs are considered more valuable, thereby ensuring the birth of a new brood. So the process goes in a circle, bringing profit to the manager.
In addition, being able to distinguish by sex, it is possible to regulate the livestock: let unnecessary cocks and unproductive hens to slaughter.
Important! In agricultural birds, selection provides for polygamy, so it is easy for a male to fertilize five times as many females.
Is it possible to distinguish between young animals
Having decided to start guinea fowl, many are interested in what age it is possible to recognize the gender of a bird. Experienced manufacturers claim that secondary sexual characteristics appear only in 5-6 months. In chicks, it is almost impossible to visually distinguish between a boy and a girl.
Those who have long practiced poultry breeding can find out the sex of newborn chickens.
The surest way is to check your genitals. In males, they are better developed and resemble a small tubercle. In chickens, any outgrowths are absent.
Determination methods
The first time a rooster from a chicken is quite difficult to distinguish: males and females are similar. To identify the desired individual, you must carefully examine it. Turns out there are differences.
Beak-shaped
The most important sign of guinea fowl is on the head. It is by the structure of this organ that one can quickly and accurately establish gender. For example, hens have a smaller and more accurate beak. In roosters, it is larger and thicker. In addition, males have a specific, distinctly noticeable outgrowth on their beak (waxwort).
Color and shape of earrings
Immediately under the beak of the birds are earrings. They serve as decoration of this species, but for a person they are important in that the shape and color of this decor depends on the floor. The males have bluish-red, larger, fleshy, elongated earrings with a fold. Women's jewelry is more sophisticated and neat.
Important! This statement is true only for young females; with age, earrings are coarsened and resemble male ones.
Head position
The position in which the head is located can also indicate what gender the bird is in front of you. Chickens, unlike males, keep their heads straight.
Ridge location
Another difference between a female and a cock is the comb. In males, it is raised and slightly turned back, which makes it seem huge.
Habits
If it is possible to look after the guinea fowl’s behavior, one can recognize which of them is a chicken and which is a cockerel. Males behave like kings. They majestically walk on the ground, raising their tail and head. Females are much more modest; they walk with their heads down.
Vote
Guinea fowl is considered a rather vociferous bird - she loves to shout. This point is considered by some to be negative in the breeding of this species of bird. But, fortunately, this characteristic makes it possible to distinguish a boy from a girl.
Males have a specific cry that distinguishes them from females. If you watch the herd a little, you can accurately determine who belongs to which sex. Caesars have a unique crack in their voice, which the hens do not have. Some compare sounds with a machine gun burst.
Females have a more pleasant voice, a scream is combined from two sounds. Moreover, the last syllable is louder and longer than the first.Did you know? The guinea fowl eggshell is three times stronger than chicken eggs, and the freshness of the eggs is preserved for six months. In addition, caesar eggs are an order of magnitude superior in composition and quantity of nutrients to chicken eggs.
To size
Typically, in domesticated birds, males are larger than females. But in the case of guinea fowl, this rule does not work. Chickens are larger than caesars by about 15–20%. This is easy to notice if you put next to both sexes.
This feature is characteristic of all types of guinea fowl, but sometimes manifests itself either weaker or stronger. It is also worth noting that this characteristic for determining sex can be used only when the bird is 5 months old. Up to this point, young growth has approximately the same size.
By cesspool
To distinguish between sexes, not only external data, but also the main sexual characteristics are taken into account. This is called a cloacal determination technique. Guinea fowl is lowered upside down, the tail is lifted and gently, spreading with two fingers, open the cesspool. In chickens, grooves of a pale pink hue will be visible. A male penis in the shape of a cone about a centimeter long will be visible.
Video: Guinea fowl sex determination
The process of recognizing guinea fowl by sex is not only simple, but also entertaining. After all, considering these funny birds, you can learn a lot about them and just fall in love with your new pets.
Important! This procedure brings feathered discomfort and requires certain skills and caution.
