Guinea-pig productivity under traditional management.
Results of a 12 month study of traditional guinea-pig production in the western highlands of Cameroon are reported. The mean age of guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus L.) at first parturition, kidding interval and litter size at birth were 126.30 +/- 10.40 d, 64.8 +/- 1.70 d and 1.63 +/- 0.26 kids respectively. The annual reproductive rate was 9.18 kids/breeding doe while the doe post-partum weight was 530 g. Mean body weights at birth, presumed weaning (21 d) and 15 weeks of age were 78.36 +/- 3.20, 147.51 +/- 8.10 and 418.88 +/- 32 g respectively. Type of birth and sex had a significant effect on body weight at all ages. Birth weight dropped significantly from 83.88 +/- 2.87 g for singles to 81.57 +/- 3.40 g for twins, 74.25 +/- 2.39 g for triplets and 73.75 +/- 4.12 g for quadruplets. These differences were maintained to maturity (15 weeks). Males were generally heavier than females. Mortality rates were relatively high among kids: 24% at birth, 39% at 3 weeks and 40% at 15 weeks. Productivity indices were 0.827 kg of young weaned per doe per year, 1560 g of young weaned per kg of doe per year and 2.52 kg of young weaned per kg metabolic weight (kg 0.75) of female per year.
Manjeli
Y
Y
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
Tchoumboue
J
J
Njwe
R M
RM
Teguia
A
A
D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D001947:Breeding / Q000592:standards; D002163:Cameroon; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D012098:Reproduction; D012737:Sex Factors; D015430:Weight Gain