Health studies on a group of captive helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) in Tanzania

A small group of housed helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) was studied over a 6‐week period. Blood samples were taken on three occasions and basic haema‐tology was performed. Clinical examination of the birds revealed a number of abnormalities including bumblefoot, inflammatory lesions on the wings and body, impaction of the preen gland and traumatic injuries. Supporting laboratory tests provided further information on the aetiology and pathogenesis of some of these disorders. Four birds died during the study: postmortem findings included oviducti‐tis and septicaemia, visceral gout and nephropathy. Virological investigations were not carried out. The importance, when keeping guineafowl, of good husbandry, including regular handling and examination, is stressed.