The Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

This volume provides a multidisciplinary exploration of guinea fowl as a resilient and multifunctional species in modern livestock systems. Beyond its role in producing high-quality meat, guinea fowl serve as effective predators in controlling insect pests, particularly locusts, making them a valuable asset in sustainable agriculture.
Divided into eight chapters and written by specialists in veterinary science, biology, engineering, and food technology, the book covers:
• The cultural and agricultural relevance of guinea fowl in contemporary farming
• Morphological, behavioural, and predatory traits that support their ecological utility
• Strategies for locust plague control through coordinated breeding and facility design
• Reproductive management, including artificial insemination and daily operational protocols
• Nutritional formulations for optimal growth and health
• Disease identification, therapeutic interventions, and vaccination programmes
• Engineering principles for farm infrastructure, machinery, and sanitation systems
• Comprehensive analysis of meat quality, including its rich content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, biologically valuable proteins, and vitamins B1 and B12, as well as preservation and packaging techniques to maintain sanitary and sensory integrity.
This book is an essential reference for researchers, agricultural engineers, veterinarians, and food technologists aiming to optimise guinea fowl production while advancing ecological pest control and sustainable farming practices.

Detailed information on the development of extensive guinea fowl farming Detailed description of guinea fowl management for effective locust pest control Health program directly applicable to farm management

Autorentext

José Del Moral de la Vega is a Spanish plant pathologist and emeritus head of the Department of Plant Pathology at The Extremadura Scientific and Technological Research Centre (CICYTEX). His research has focused on the development of plant health programs through integrated control, and he has published numerous monographs and books of technical-scientific interest, as well as more than 200 articles.

Jerónimo Del Moral Martínez holds a Ph.D. in Biology and is a member of the Extremadura Science, Technology and Innovation System (SECTI) (Spain). He is currently part of a team of researchers from the Faculty of Science and the School of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Extremadura for the development of innovation projects with agricultural industries.

Inhalt

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Biological Characteristics.- Chapter 3: Depredatory Characteristics Of The Guinea Fowl (Numida Meleagris L.) Against Pest-Forming Insects. Use Of The Bird Against Locusts (Dociostaurus Maroccanus Thunb.).- Chapter 4: Reproduction And Breeding.- Chapter 5: Feeding.- Chapter 6: Health Of The Guinea Fowl.- Chapter 7: Engineering.Constructive Characteristics Of Installations, Machinery And Tools.- Chapter 8: Meat Quality.