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.
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
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Y
Manjeli
J
J
Tchoumboue
R M
RM
Njwe
A
A
Teguia
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