One of the options for keeping guinea fowls are cells that can be made independently. This method has certain advantages. The care of the cells and the content of guinea fowl in them has some features.
The benefits of guinea fowl in cells
Cellular content of guinea fowls is usually chosen by breeders. There are several advantages to this method:
- the insemination process is simplified;
- egg production increases - if the average guinea fowl gives 110 eggs per year, then with a cell content this figure can increase to 150 pieces;
- feed consumption is reduced by about 15%;
- puberty is achieved earlier;
- the bird is gaining mass faster;
- hatchability of young animals increases - this indicator can grow up to 85%;
- simplicity in leaving and service;
- no need to control the bird in the daytime.
An important advantage of cell breeding guinea fowls is space saving. This allows you to expand the economy or to introduce such a bird in addition to other areas of economic activity, and without prejudice to them.
With the independent production of guinea fowl cages, the list of benefits is increasing. On your own, you can perform designs of an individual size, provide for the necessary changes and additions. The main advantage is financial savings.
DIY guinea fowl cages
If you buy a ready-made cage for a guinea fowl, then it is usually designed for 20 individuals. The design is a block cell with dividing walls - usually 4 sections are performed. For the manufacture of cells using a metal mesh.
You can independently perform a cell of any size. The optimal ratio is 1.5x0.45x0.5 m (LxWxH). The design of such parameters is designed for 5-10 goals.
The following materials and tools will be required:
- wooden blocks with a section of 3-4 cm - a frame will be made of them, a length of 10 m is sufficient;
- galvanized cell mesh on the floor 1.5x0.6 m (cells 75x12.5 mm);
- galvanized cell mesh on the walls (side, back) and the roof 3x4 m (cells 25x25 mm);
- galvanized cell mesh on the front wall 1.5x0.5 m (cells 50x50 mm);
- galvanized sheet iron according to the size of the floor - used as a pallet;
- door hinges;
- metal corners - you need two corners, the length corresponds to the depth of the cell;
- PVC pipe for the manufacture of feeders, diameter - 10 cm, height - 1.5 m;
- PVC pipe for drinking bowls, diameter - 7 cm, height - 1.5 m;
- hacksaw;
- scissors for metal;
- hammer, screwdriver or drill;
- nails or screws;
- wire for attaching the feeder;
- construction stapler.
Having prepared all the necessary materials, you can begin to manufacture cages for guinea fowls. You need to act according to the following algorithm:
- Make a squared frame. Fasten its parts with nails or screws. The frame is on legs. Their height is 15 cm.
- Prepare pieces of galvanized wire mesh of the desired size. To do this, use metal scissors.
- Fasten the front, rear and side walls to the frame. It is convenient to do this with a stapler.
- Fasten the floor.
- Bend part of the front mesh wall to make an egg collector. The size of it should correspond to the eggs of a guinea fowl.
- Bend the sides of the galvanized iron sheet for the floor. It should turn out sides with a height of 2 cm.
- Attach the metal corners to the legs of the frame. They will play the role of mounts and runners for the pallet. It is installed 10 cm below the floor of the cage. It is for this that the legs on the frame are carried out.
- Install the pan. It should be easy enough to pull out if you pull it on yourself.
- Run a frame for the top of the cage. Its dimensions are 1.5x0.45 cm. The upper part of the cell will simultaneously serve as its door.
- Fasten a suitable mesh to the frame.
- Fix the upper part of the cage using door hinges.
- Cut the plastic pipe for the feeder. The recess for the feed should be closer to the edge so that the structure is comfortable. Fasten the feeder in front. Use wire for this. The feeder should be 5 cm above the floor.
Sex in cages for guinea fowls should be done with a slight bias. It is necessary to withstand an angle of not more than 10 degrees. This will not hinder the bird, and the eggs laid by it will slide into the egg collector.
Cells are usually placed along walls. To save space, it is recommended to organize tiers. To do this, you need to complete the frame for 3-4 cells. The load will be higher, therefore, bars with a large cross section will be needed.
A bird cage manufacturing option is shown in the video below:
Features of the content of guinea fowl, cell care
The cellular version of the poultry maintenance implies certain rules:
- maintaining a temperature of 16-18 degrees;
- daylight hours 15 hours, lighting can be provided with LED or incandescent lamps;
- maintaining cleanliness - daily wipe the cell with a damp cloth;
- regular disinfection - you can use the drugs Virocid, Ecocide C, Glutex;
- timely replacement of litter - focus on the degree of contamination, replace at least once every 2-4 weeks;
- regular litter cleaning;
- daily cleaning and washing of containers for feed and water, to prevent sediment from the liquid, mold in food;
- maintaining dryness in the cells and in the room where they are located - 60-70% humidity;
- regular ventilation of the room in the cells - when this item is ignored, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide accumulate, which negatively affects the health of the bird.
Guinea fowl are quite hardy. The room with cells does not require additional heating, if well insulated. Walls and floors are well insulated with foam or basalt wool.
If you want to organize the cellular content of guinea fowls should be selected correctly. These should be young girls of late conclusions and females, who are quite well-fed, but have no tribal value.
Before transferring the bird to its cellular content, it is necessary to carry out deworming. Seedlings of guinea fowls are carried out in groups of 5 animals each.
In the first days of the cage, the bird behaves uneasily and noisily, its appetite decreases due to strong excitement. Addiction occurs gradually. The success of the process is evidenced by the increased appetite of guinea fowls and a sharp increase in live weight.
When the birds are transferred to the cellular content, egg laying begins by the end of the first month. A prerequisite is the increase in daylight hours.
The food for guinea fowl on a cellular content is given the same as for laying hens under similar conditions. Read more about feeding here.
With the cell content, guinea fowls are very shy. It is not recommended that they be transplanted into other cells, scoring.
One of the options for guinea fowl is cells. The advantages of using them are many. Such designs are easy to make with your own hands. Cellular maintenance of poultry implies several rules, including regular maintenance of the cages.