Why Keets are Scarce in the Dry Season

Farmers from different parts of Nigeria keep asking me, “When will day-old guinea fowls be available?” The demand is high, but the real challenge is supply — especially from Ibadan, where most hatcheries are based. During dry season, it’s almost impossible to find keets (that’s the name for young guinea fowls), and even harder to sell them because the birds don’t lay. Unlike broilers or layers that can lay year-round, guinea fowls are seasonal layers. They mostly produce eggs during the rainy season when the weather is cool, grasses are green, and insects are plenty. These natural conditions trigger their body to lay. But during dry season, the heat, stress, and dryness make them stop. No eggs means no hatching — and that’s why keets are unavailable. If you want to raise or market keets this year, the best time to prepare is just before the rainy season begins. That’s when the birds start laying again and hatcheries resume production. Waiting too long may leave you with nothing to buy or sell. Want to be among the first to know when keets are available and how to raise them well? Type “Add me” to join my poultry WhatsApp group. https://wa.me/message/3G6M4BEC2BSKM1