The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: devonlady on November 03, 2014, 07:45:06 pm

Title: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: devonlady on November 03, 2014, 07:45:06 pm
I was at the local smallholder's market on Saturday and up for auction were two pens of Faverolle X Guinea Fowl !!!!
I've never heard of such a cross , has anyone else? I wouldn't have thought it possible :-\
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: Marches Farmer on November 03, 2014, 08:46:05 pm
Me too.  I've heard and seen all sorts of crosses at market, many of them mistakes of some kind or another, but never that one.
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: vfr400boy on November 03, 2014, 09:06:05 pm
What they look like ?
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: devonlady on November 03, 2014, 10:03:28 pm
Like tall, skinny Faverolles. Couldn't see any GF in them though.
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: bigchicken on November 03, 2014, 10:36:42 pm
The two breeds have different hatching times.  But it seems that it is possible l have seen pictures and they looked to be gf shaped with chicken colours seemingly it's rare for them to look like a chicken.
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: devonlady on November 04, 2014, 05:36:09 am
It could have been right then. Wonder what they'd taste like :yum:
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: Steph Hen on November 04, 2014, 07:26:44 am
The two breeds have different hatching times.  But it seems that it is possible l have seen pictures and they looked to be gf shaped with chicken colours seemingly it's rare for them to look like a chicken.

But they're different species rather than breeds - wonder if the offspring are infertile like most other species crosses? Wonder if they'd lay eggs or not?
Title: Re: Fav. X Guinea Fowl
Post by: Clansman on November 04, 2014, 09:21:13 am
I've had that happen before, its one of natures wonders I think :)

they are sterile but the hens will lay eggs.

The chicken x Guinea fowl has a very poor fertility rate and therefore a very low hatch rate.

The chicks survival rate is better if they take more of the GF characteristics rather than the chickens and the eggs will hatch out either at 21 days or 25 days.

GF will also cross breed with Peafowl occasionally