Royal Purple Guinea Fowl are similar to many other types of guinea fowl out there. However, these birds are known for their dark plumage and iridescent purple sheen, hence their name. This coloration is beautiful, which is why they are more popular birds.
Royal Purple Guinea Fowl are dotted, like most guinea fowl. However, due to their dark coloration, this pearling is not as apparent as in some other varieties.
Beyond that, they are similar to other guinea fowl and are used primarily for meat and eggs. However, they are also known as “watch birds” and are great at gobbling up ticks. They are some of the best anti-pest birds that you can get.
Quick Facts About the Royal Purple Guinea Fowl
Breed Name:
Guinea Fowl
Place of Origin:
Africa
Uses:
Pest control, meat, eggs
Male Size:
21 to 23 inches
Female Size:
21 to 23 inches
Color:
Dark with a purple sheen
Lifespan:
10 to 15 years
Climate Tolerance:
High
Care Level:
Low
Production:
Eggs and meat
Royal Purple Guinea Fowl Origins
Guinea fowl in general are among the oldest birds in existence. There are many different types of guinea fowl out there, but only one has been widely domesticated: the Helmeted guineafowl. This species is native to Africa, mainly to the south of the Sahara. They have also been widely introduced throughout much of the world because they are domestic.
When Europeans first colonized the Americas, the wild turkey was confused with this species. Therefore, the scientific name for turkey is similar to the Greek name for these birds. However, they are not closely related.
Generally, outside of breeding season, this species forms flocks of up to 25 different birds. For the most part, all these birds roost communally and stick together.
These birds are well-known for their ability to consume ticks, so they are great at preventing the spread of Lyme disease.
While these birds can fly, they can only do so in brief spurts. If they need to cover a decent amount of distance, they must rely on gliding. When spooked, they are more likely to run than fly, for instance. They do walk quite a bit, with some flocks reportedly walking 10 km a day. They are more suited to running than flying.
These birds eat a wide variety of different foods. They are omnivores and typically eat whatever is available. They may consume agricultural weeds, corns, and seeds. During the breeding season, their diet will likely contain more insects, like beetles. They have long, strong claws adapted to help them dig in the soil for insects.
Domestic Royal Purple Guinea Fowl are known for their hard-shelled eggs. But they are not the best of mothers and are known to abandon their nest, much to the dismay of their farmer. Usually, a clutch contains six to 12 eggs. However, more than one female may use the same nest, so it can be difficult to determine which bird laid what egg.
Once hatched, the keets (young guinea fowl) develop rather quickly. In only a week, they can flutter onto low branches.
Uses
Guinea fowl are known for being hardy birds that rarely get sick. Some small farmers even call them “disease-free.” They can be utilized for many different purposes around a farm.
Royal Purple Guinea Fowl can be an effective method of pest control. They will consume large quantities of ticks and other bugs, which prevents them from becoming a nuisance and hurting the crops. Flocks of these birds will also hunt and eat small mice. They can do all this without affecting garden veggies or flowers.
These are rather noisy birds, which some farmers use to their advantage. If a guinea fowl notices something amiss, they will let out a loud alarm call. This can make them rather suitable “watchdogs.”
You can also utilize these birds for meat and egg production. Young guineas are somewhat tender, but they do taste rather gamey. Guinea eggs are similar to chicken eggs. A female will often produce one egg a day during the breeding season.
Their coloration sets the Royal Purple Guinea Fowl apart from others of the same species. They are darker in color than most and have a purple sheen to their feathers, which is how they got their name. Their feathers do not have the same spots as other colorations either.
Their feathers are often used for ornamental purposes due to their unusual coloration.
Population, Distribution, & Habitat
In the wild, these birds stay in warm, open habitats. Savanna and farmland are both typical, especially in more industrial areas.
In the United States, some flocks in suburban areas have flourished. Typically, these birds spend their time grazing in grassy areas and gardens. They may also go over low fences, as long as they don’t feel separated from their flock.
They often roost on the roofs of homes at night, which has sometimes caused them to be called a nuisance. However, most locals appreciate their ability to clear the area of ticks and similar insects.
These flocks have been known to fend off cats, and they are easy to see on the roadway, which reduces the risk of them being run over. Therefore, their numbers have not decreased substantially.
Image Credit: schankz, Shutterstock
Are Royal Purple Guinea Fowl Good for Small-Scale Farming?
It depends on what you want to use them for. They can be ideal additions if you’re having trouble keeping bugs off your crops. You may also want to consider them for meat and egg production, though this isn’t necessarily what they’re best at.
They will lay a similar number of eggs as chickens, and these eggs do taste similar.
You can use these birds for meat production if you have a taste for them. They are known for being rather gamey, though. They probably won’t completely replace chickens in the barnyard for this reason.
These birds do need some type of shelter. They prefer to roost, so perches are crucial. Heating and insulation are also often necessary.
They can be hard to keep in one area, though. They can fly at an early age and are relatively strong fliers. Therefore, they can fly out of any uncovered enclosure. You cannot keep male guineas with male roosters, though, as they will become somewhat aggressive.
Nest boxes need to be provided if you plan on using these guinea fowl for eggs. You should also confine them to the barn until noon to encourage them to lay their eggs inside. Otherwise, they may pick a random place outside.
Fortunately, Royal Purple Guinea Fowl are easy to feed. If allowed to forage, they can take care of all their nutritional needs themselves. They eat a variety of different insects, along with greens. The only main issue is that they don’t do well with humidity and moisture. Too much moisture can kill younger birds relatively quickly.
