Domestic birds

If you grew up in shagz you probably had a couple of chicken running around the homestead. Chicken are the most popular bird kept by our various communities. There are however more birds that you can keep for either a profit or your own consumption such as ducks, geese and quails. Let's have a look at some of them;

Domesticated Pigeons

Also known as 'thoroughbreds of the air' are said to be the oldest domesticated birds in the world. Used as a messenger for sending messages across a large areas due to its homing ability has earned this little bird a good amount of fame. Used for food as well, Pigeon meat is known as squab and is harvested from young pigeons who are yet to learn how to fly.This is about a one month old pigeon.

Ducks

Ducks have been raised for their meat and eggs for thousands of years, probably starting from South East Asia. Ducks are less common than chicken because people are more attracted to chicken because they have more lean meat and are less expensive. chicken are also easier to keep confined than ducks..

Turkey

This is a big domesticated bird that has its origins in mesoamerica. Female turkeys are called Hens or chicks while the young are known as turklings or poults. the males may be referred to as Stags or Toms. Turkey is an important meal in various countries and is served as a main dish.

Guinea fowl 

These birds are indigenous to Africa, fairing well in arid / dry regions. the young of a guinea fowl are called keets and they lay about 25 - 30 eggs. They are also kept with other fowl as a natural method of fighting ticks and other insects, lice, worms and spiders. They will shriek when an intruder approaches and are very sociable birds. Their meat can be cooked like that of chicken but tends to be more flavorful thus expensive.

Geese

These have been kept by man for their meat, eggs and down (feathers). It is a flightless bird which jumps up to about a foot when startled, flapping its wings. geese eggs can be cooked just like chicken eggs but they have more yolk than chicken eggs.




Quails 
This is a general term given to a type of mid sized bird species. Many of the larger species are bred for their meat and eggs. Popular in several countries such as France and Malta, some Indian cuisines also favour quail in their meals as well as Portuguese and Polish cuisine.