Will the femal pearl ginni's have the brilliant blue heads too?

[tgperg]

I have no clue! That's sure interesting looking. None of mine have ever done that.

Traci

 

[PeepsCA]

Ah, ok I see what you mean now. Thanks for posting pics! That must be an adolescent stage they go thru, because none of my older breeders have that, of any of the colors I keep and breed (they all have white skin there, no blue tint at all). I've never noticed it in any of my young birds before, so I'll keep a close eye on my young keepers from this year's hatches as they mature this time, and see if any develop this.

It might just be a Pearl Grey specific characteristic (being the closest to the natural wild version of Guinea Fowl) that fades to the normal white skin as they mature (either that or you guys have some strange chemicals in your water supply, LOL!).

 

[MsMoss]

They could be like someone else suggested Helmeted Guineas. They do not have the bone thing on their heads, yet, but it does look like some of them may be forming one, and I'll watch that to see what happens. Though they were sold to my dad as pearl.

 

[philter4]

Quote:
The reason they don't have brilliant blue heads is the color has been bred out of some birds. Wild helmeted guineas have heads as blue as vulturine guineas. I am trying to get some wild stock or at least stock that has not lost the trait to breed blue heads back into my flock but I am having trouble with finding the birds. I have vulturines as well as helmeted guineas and my stock came from a breeder that has the darkest black feathers and bluest heads I have ever seen on a domestic guinea. Look at some photos of wild birds and you'll see what I am talking about, your birds just came from stock that lost that trait, it has nothing to do with age or health.

 

[PeepsCA]

Hmmm...

Can someone with ADULT Guinea Fowl with blue heads please post a pic? So far I've seen only juveniles with under developed wattles displaying this blue headed trait.

 

[philter4]

I didn't take this photo but here is a photo of a wild adult from Uganda, There are 6 races of guinea fowl and you can tell where a wild guinea fowl comes from by the shape of it's casque.

 

[PeepsCA]

It's late and I can't figure out how to post a clickable link, so this may get deleted... but here's a link to a great page on African Guinea Fowl varieties sportin' the blue heads:

http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/african/

 

[MsMoss]

Ours so far have no casque, but I will keep an eye on them as they mature to full out adult* which should be soon* and see if they grow one.


What if they don't grow a casque like in the pic, but still have blue heads?

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I know this is an old thread I was looking for info on something else....

I believe this is a picture of a Reichenowi which is not a Helmeted Guinea fowl. Reichenowi guineas are bigger and definately closer to the wild stock, but they are available from breeders here in the U.S. at a price. Last time I looked they were about 400 a pair.

My guineas have blue tint over the white skin around their faces now but they are under six months.

 

[BarbaraNH]

I've heard of this, and have seen a few pictures of bluish headed guineas here in the U.S., but none of my guineas have that blue coloration. I believe it is a trait that is particular to guinea fowl that come from certain locations in Africa. It could be coming out in some of the guineas that have been bred here in the U.S. that can be traced back to African stock. Some believe other traits, like the size and shape of guineas' wattles, can also be traced back to different bloodlines from Africa. I think the blue color, if it is present, can be found in both males and females, so it is not indicative of gender. However, the color may be more noticeable in males due to their larger features and size of their heads.