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.
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.
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.
