Meat guines ?

[razvanM]

Hi ! I had pearl guines before but i am not longer having them,cause of a strange ilness that took their lives.But I am considering taking a few meat guineas,I must say I really like waterfowl,gamebird meat and guinea fowls are one of my favourites.I heard there are meat guineas that are like broad brested turkeys of the guinea fowl world and can reach up to 8 pounds(4 kilos).Is it true ? are there this kind of guineas ?

 

[PeepsCA]

8lbs is a little heavy... The French and Jumbo varieties on average are about 2 lbs heavier than the regular Helmeted Guinea Fowl variety.

They may get a little heavier if they are raised to an older age before processing... but they won't be as tender (plus the cost for feed at that age starts adding up). Guinea Fowl is usually processed around 12-14 wks of age.

 

[jbirds2012]

wow ! your supposed to process them at 12 to 14 weeks old if you want tender ?

 

[PeepsCA]

Supposed to, no... but older Guineas are definitely not as tender as younger birds are. Also butchering Guineas at a younger age helps keep it a little more economical to use them as meat birds, as far as their food consumption/growth ratio goes. They do not grow a whole lot more after 14 wks of age.

IMO tho... Guineas really are not a meat bird. Cuz even as tasty as they are, there's just not much meat on them!