The guinea fowl or, as it is also called, the royal chicken is a fowl from a large chicken family, whose homeland is a vast region covering the central, western and southern parts of the African continent. This bird is also valued for its relatively high egg production.
Do guinea fowls rush
Tsar's chicken differs from its nearest "uncrowned" relative by its appearance, but its egg-laying indicators correspond approximately to the similar characteristics of meat-laying hens. However, the productivity of guinea fowls is greatly influenced by various factors, which will be discussed below. 
Without male
In order to carry an egg, the guinea fowl may well do without a male. But the eggs, of course, will be unfertilized, they will not give offspring.
In winter
In the natural habitat of guinea fowl rush only in warm weather; do not forget that the birthplace of these birds is one of the hottest regions of the planet. As soon as it starts to get cold, the egg production gradually falls and eventually stops altogether.
Consider all the features of the content of guinea fowls at home, and in particular in the winter.
By artificially increasing daylight and increasing the temperature in the house, eggs (smaller and in smaller quantities) can be obtained in winter. 
Features egg laying guinea fowl
In the natural habitat - in the South-West of Africa - puberty of royal chickens occurs earlier than in colder climates.
Did you know? In the USSR, guinea fowls for meat began to breed only after World War II, when the bird came to us from Hungary. By the end of the 80s of the 20th century, the population was about 70,000 individuals, but the industry completely declined along with the collapse of the Union.
However, it is possible to speed up the onset of puberty, and, consequently, the timing of the onset of egg-laying in the following ways:
- use food enriched with essential amino acids;
- provide high temperature in the birds' dwelling (create conditions close to the natural habitat in the wild), while not forgetting about normal ventilation;
- artificially increase daylight hours to 15 hours.
In the event that a breeder, selling chicks, does not speak about the timing of the onset of egg production, most likely, the guinea fowls were not fed with high protein feeds to accelerate the period of puberty. In this case, the poultry farmer must be prepared for the late onset of egg production.You, for sure, will be useful to know the characteristics and lifestyle of an ordinary guinea fowl.
At what age do begin to sweep
At home, laying guinea eggs start at the age of 7-9 months. It is difficult to call a more accurate time, since it is greatly influenced by such factors as:
- feeding;
- conditions of detention;
- lighting, etc.
Puberty of males occurs somewhat later than their same age, so that males do not have the opportunity to fertilize the eggs of females of their own age.These birds have a growing type of clutch: at the very beginning of the egg-laying period, the females rush 1 time in 2 days, and then the figures increase to 3-6 eggs in a row. For 8-12 weeks, productivity increases, then for some time the rates fall. After 2-6 months, egg production returns to the previous level.
You should not be scared - the bird's body is restored, accumulates the necessary substances, vitamins and minerals.
Poultry farmers should be familiar with the intricacies of breeding guinea fowl in an incubator, as well as learn how to care for guinea fowl.
In order to find out what life stage the bird is in, whether it is rushing at this time or not, it is enough to touch the pelvic area of the guinea fowl. If the female rushes, her pelvic bones are divorced, the stomach is large and soft. 
As the hens grow older and grow old, the egg production decreases by 10-20%, but at the same time the eggs themselves increase in size. It's all about anatomy: a young bird is not physically able to carry an egg as large as an older one. But later eggs are excellent incubation materials, unlike young ones.
Did you know? Unlike chickens, guinea fowls do not lay eggs in individual nests. - they create a common egg-laying.
The productivity of guinea fowls
The main indicators of the productivity of royal chickens:
- the weight of the male is 1.5-1.6 kg;
- female weight - 1.6-1.7 kg;
- the mass of chicks (10 weeks) - 780-850 g;
- egg production - 70-120 pieces and above;
- egg weight - 42-47 g
What does egg production depend on?
The productivity of these birds is influenced by a large number of different factors, among which are the following:
- genetics;
- conditions of detention;
- climatic conditions;
- feeding;
- daylight duration.
We advise you to consider all the features of the most popular wild and domestic breeds of guinea fowl, and in particular the guinea fowl of the Zagorskaya white-breast.
Mention should also be made of the geographical factor. According to some data, in such countries as Hungary, France, Canada, Algeria, and the United Kingdom, the indicator of the egg production of this species of bird is 125-180 pieces per year. And among the record-laying hens there are such prolific individuals that give up to 3 hundred eggs annually. 
From conditions of detention
The main points that should be paid attention to when creating suitable conditions of detention for guinea fowls:
- For normal life per 1 square. m of living space should be placed no more than 4-5 birds.
- The house should be warm enough. Increased humidity is unacceptable, especially in the spring, during the period of snow melting.
- Duration of daylight hours (it can be increased artificially with the help of additional lighting) directly affects productivity.
- It should create a comfortable environment for the birds - roost, feeders, drinkers, good litter.
- It is necessary to ensure sufficient walking, including during the winter period, if the air temperature is not lower than -9 ° С.
- The quality and quantity of food, the availability of fresh water have a direct impact on the performance indicators of birds.
From color
Color plays a significant role in the egg production of these birds. Depending on the color, productivity indicators change as follows:
- gray guinea fowl - 70-90 pieces;
- blue - 80-100 pieces;
- whites - 90-119 pieces.
Why do not rush guinea fowl
There are cases when layers, up to a certain pore, which are distinguished by high productivity, suddenly begin to rush less. Before panicking and inviting a veterinarian to the birds, the owner should pay attention to the factors that reduce egg production rates:
- Low temperature in the hen house. It is necessary to take care of the warming of the shed, to ensure the air temperature is +12 ° C and higher; extremely rarely, it can be lowered briefly to +6 ° C.
- Guinea fowl can stop nosing because it is going to hatch eggs. It is necessary to leave a couple of birds on the eggs, the rest should be carried.
- Poor sanitary condition of the dwelling, litter from the floor is not removed. It is necessary to regularly clean the room, carefully remove wastes, change litter. In winter, fresh litter is placed on top of the old one for additional thermal insulation.
- Lack of fresh water, or the water does not change often enough. Clean water is necessary for birds, including for the normal assimilation of nutrients, especially if feed is used for feeding. Do not forget to monitor the availability and condition of drinking water.
- Low nutritional value of feed. It is necessary to improve the nutritional quality of feed, first of all take care of feed with a high content of valuable amino acids - this diet contributes to high productivity.
- These birds are very shy and stress-dependent. The cause of stress can be a change of feed, fear. Even changing to a more rigid litter can make itself felt. From this it follows that the birds need to ensure the most comfortable conditions of detention and in the future to try to comply with them.
One of the conditions for increasing the egg production of guinea fowls is the favorable conditions in the room of the Guinea fowl eggs - a product that is unique due to its hypoallergenic qualities, it is suitable for those who are contraindicated in chicken protein.Read also about the benefits of guinea fowl.
Thanks to the gland, which is contained in sufficiently large quantities in the composition, the product is also excellent for feeding people with low hemoglobin levels - during pregnancy or with anemia. And due to the low calorie content of the royal chickens eggs can be called dietary.
