Hatchery quineas?

[poultrycrazy]

Is there a such thing as hatchery quality and show quality guineas? Will hatchery guineas have the same characteristics as guineas from breeders like flying good, great foragers ect..

Thanks

 

[joyous]

I don't know about the show quality guineas?! I do know that I have guineas I hatched out from a breeder in California, and guineas I got from Sand hill Preservation center, and they are all healthy, strong and act like guineas...only found 2 ticks on my dogs this summer and that was down from about 50 over a season! I also hatched eggs from my Sand Hill guineas, and both had a great hatch rate!

 

[Cowgirl71]

All I've ever had are guineas from Cackle parents. The pearls and purples make excellent farm guineas! They fly and forage real well, and ours have turned feral, except they are unable to raise their own babies (which is normal for guineas). The lavenders make good farm guineas too, but their lighter coloring attracts predators if you don't keep them in a predator-proof coop overnight. I was very disappointed with the whites. They were runty and not very hardy. We lost one last winter to the cold (the only guinea we ever lost to the cold). They're just a smaller, less hardy bird all around, especially with predators.

 

[robin416]

Show vs hatchery doesn't matter if you are not planning on showing your Guineas.

I don't. I want a flock here to do a job for me. My bet is the same thing could ultimately happen to show quality Guineas as has happened with many chicken breeds that are raised strictly to Standard. They become less independent, have less stamina and become more open to disease.

I have only had one problem with one bird over the years and that started as a scratch near the eye that became infected. The bird was treated and recovered, you can not say its the same for show quality birds.

 

[zazouse]

I purchase some pearls, pearl pied and royal purple guineas from a local breeder 5 years ago ,last year i purchased white and lavender from Idea hatchery, i have found no difference in them ,they are the same in every way just like my origional flock.

I have well over 100 adults now and sold over 600 keets this year alone.

 

[racuda]

Quote:
Robin, your answer implies that there ARE show quality Guineas. I have not heard of them. Do they look different?

 

[robin416]

Yes, more and more are showing Guineas. There is a standard for them just like there is for chickens.

When you stand back and look at individuals you can see some physical differences. The most notable would be the helmet, some do not curve back but are upright. Wattles can be cupped in directions that are not according to standard. You know what I mean, there are physical traits the bird should have to not be disqualified.

 

[zazouse]

WoW

i can not imagine a poor guinea sitting in a cage at a show.

I have guineas that can be touched and hand fed but they are still like kids on candy when they are not roosting or setting a nest.

I bet it takes alot of work teaching a guinea calm at a show to.

I have never seen them at any shows around here but sure would like to see some show quality, i might have some here and don't even know it. LOL

Thanks for the info on that robin 416.

ZAZ

I do have what i call white pearls they are stark white with pearles all over them except part of the upper back just like a regular pearl guinea.

I could not find this color and pattern via the internet so i guess i can call it mine if i can keep them breeding true.

 

[Cowgirl71]

Zaz, that sure is a neat colored guinea! Is it by chance a "porcelain"? http://www.guineafowlinternational.org/colorchart/color/porcelain.jpg

ETA: Or maybe an "opaline"? Porcelains have pearling over most of their body, while opalines only have pearling on their wings and flanks...

I sure do love looking at pics of your birds! Many species, breeds, colors, and sizes!

I can't imagine a guinea at a show either... In a tiny cage with all kinds of people. What about being handled by a judge?

Everyone's probably yelling at the top of their lungs to be heard over the guineas, LOL!

 

[racuda]

Okay, I finally found it, the Standard of Perfection for Guineas

A lot of mine have DQ's especially because of having white primaries in colored birds.