How Large Do Purple Guinea Fowl Get?

Originally from Africa, guinea fowl have gained worldwide popularity with backyard poultry breeders for their eggs, their meat and even their foraging habits -- they're reputed to help reduce populations of ticks, rodents, snakes and other backyard pests. Purple varieties are among more than 30 specialized guinea fowl types bred for size and coloration.

  1. Description

    • Royal purple guineas provide a striking visage; their black plumage shines an iridescent purple in sunlight. Adults have pearling -- little white dots -- along the wings and flanks. Violet guineas do not have dots or bars; they begin life as red keets with white bellies. Their steel blue feathers darken with age, and their purple iridescence is best seen in shade. Both breeds grow to an adult weight of 3 to 5 pounds, with males slightly larger than females.

    Feeding

    • To achieve maximum growth of purple keets, feed turkey or game bird starter with a protein content of 28 percent to 30 percent. While keets will not die if fed regular chick starter, the lower protein content will delay maximum development and result in smaller birds. Continue feeding grower ration and adult food designed for turkeys and game birds. Birds allowed to free-range will supplement their ration with rodents, bugs and other natural proteins.

    Jumbo Guineas

    • Purplish-gray with white dots on the entire body, jumbo French guineas mature up to 2 pounds heavier than other purple varieties. Raise jumbos on game bird broiler ration to reach 4 pounds by 12 weeks of age. Jumbos lay about 135 eggs per year, experiencing reduced fertility due to their size. Their large bodies make it more difficult for them to fly, leaving them more vulnerable to predators, especially if their wings are clipped.

    Arrested Development

    • Disease and parasites can prevent your guinea fowl from obtaining maximum size and can be fatal. If your guinea fowl appear to have stunted growth or are losing weight, they may have a parasite or disease. Trichomoniasis is one common disease spread by a protozoa through contaminated water or feed. It is accompanied by weight loss, darkening wattles, drooling and, in extreme cases, diarrhea, drooping wings and difficulty walking. Medication is available through a poultry veterinarian or feed store.