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Show J RAISING GUINEA FOWLS IS PROFITABLE - K GUINEA FOWLS STEADILY INCREASING IN DEMAND. to be shipped whether the feathers should be removed. Removing Feathers. If the guinea fowls are to be marketed mar-keted with the feathers on, all that should be done is to bleed them by severing the vein in the roof of the mouth, allowing them to hang head downward until bleeding is complete. If the feathers are to be removed, this should be done by dry picking. The vein in the roof of the mouth is severed first, to insure thorough bleeding, and the knife then thrust through the groove in the roof of the mouth into the brain. When the brain is pierced the feathers are loosened by a convulsive convul-sive movement of the muscles and can be removed easily. (From the "Jnited States Department of Agriculture.) Guinea ft-wls, which have suffered unpopularity with farmers because of pronounced propensities for noise-making noise-making during the sleeping hours of humans, are likely to rise above this objection in view of the steadily in-' creasing demand for their delicious flesh, in the opinion of a poultry specialist spe-cialist of the United States department depart-ment of agriculture. With Eastern markets offering 75 cents to $1.50 a pair for these fowls, guinea-fowl raising rais-ing now is a profitable side line on Eastern farms, and many offer opportunities oppor-tunities to the commercial poultryman in a few cases. In Farmers' Bulletin 858, "The Guinea Fowl," the specialist discusses the guinea business from the starting of a flock to marketing the produce, which is largely the meat. Demand Is Increasing. The increasing demand for guinea fowls, the specialist says, comes from hotels and restaurants in the large cities, which are always eager to buy prime young stock. These they particularly partic-ularly like to use as a delicacy in oanquets and club dinners, guineas being be-ing a good substitute for game birds such as grouse, partridge, quail, and pheasant. The present supply comes largely from small farm flocks of 10 to 25 fowls. Such flocks require little care and expense to raise ; consequently consequent-ly the marketing price is largely profit. And as for that undesirable cry of the guinea fowl, the department specialist spe-cialist admits that this is a rather objectionable ob-jectionable habit, but declares that it might often be listed as an asset. It gives warning of marauders in the poultry yard and also, backed by a pugnacious pug-nacious disposition, constitutes an effective ef-fective show of fight against hawks and other enemies. In fact, says the poultryman, some farmers raise a few guinea fowls with their turkeys and allow them to roost together so that a warning will be given if any theft is' attempted during the night. Develop Private Trade. Guinea fowl raisers who are near the large Eastern markets or who have developed de-veloped a trade among private customers custom-ers are now receiving prices that make this Industry very profitable. One poultryman poul-tryman near a New England summer resort' has raised as many as 400 guinea fowls in one season, selling them in August when they weighed about one pound each at $1.25 a pair. Wholesale prices in New York usually range from 75 cents to $1 a pair for dressed spring guineas weighing two pounds to the pair, and from $1.25 to $1.50 a pair for those weighing three to four pounds to the pair. Old guinea fowls are not wanted and seldom bring more than 50 or 60 cents a pair. Of the three varieties of guinea fowl pearl, white and lavender pearl is by far the most popular. It has a purplish gray plumage regularly dotted or "pearled" w"ith white and is so handsome that frequently the feathers are used for ornamental purposes. Breeding stock of the various varieties varie-ties usually sells for $2 to $3.50 a pair, or from $3 to $5 a trio. Eggs from purebred birds for hatching can be obtained ob-tained for 75 cents to $1 for 15. During Dur-ing the last few years a limited market for guinea eggs has developed among commercial hatcheries which have an outlet for a few day-old guinea chicks along with their ordinary chicks, ducklings, duck-lings, goslings, and turkey poults. While guineas can be kept in the best condition upon free range, they can be confined if necessary and satisfactory results obtained. Marketing Guinea Fowls. The marketing season for guinea fowls is during the latter part of the summer and throughout the fall. At this time the demand in the city mar-Kets mar-Kets is for young birds weighing from one to two pounds each. At about two and one-half months of age guineas weigh from one to one and one-half pounds, and at this size they begin reaching the markets in August. As the season advances the demand Is for heavier birds. The usual practice in marketing game birds is to place them on the ! market unplucked, and in most mar-j mar-j kets guinea fowls are sold in this way. 1 They are more attractive with the ' fathers on and sell more readily. When dressed the small size and dark color of the guinea are likely to prejudice preju-dice the prospective customer, who may be unfamiliar with the bird's excellent eating qualities. For hotel and restaurant restau-rant trade, however, guinea fowls 6hould be dressed in the same way as eomirion fowls. Before shipping any birds to a market it is advisable to inquire in-quire of the dealer to wtru they ti'e |