Effect of total and partial replacement of forage with concentrate in the feeding of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) on weight gain, feed conversion index and carcass yield

Escobar R.F.; Córdova Z.A.M.; Espinoza O.T.; Girón M.J.B. · Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru (2026) · DOI: 10.15381/rivep.v37i1.32906

Resumen

The aim of this study was to replace part of the ration (forage) with concentrate to determine the appropriate level of this substitution on dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield (CY). The trial was conducted with 75 weaned guinea pigs, three weeks old and weighing 310 g, divided into five treatments with different percentages of fresh forage offered based on live weight (LW): 30% LW (100% total ration), 20, 15, 10, and 0% LW of body weight for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T4, respectively. The ration was supplemented with ad libitum concentrate containing protected vitamin C and ad libitum water. DMI at seven weeks was higher in guinea pigs fed the mixed ration. Water intake, both in liquid form and in the forage, decreased significantly and in direct relation to forage restriction. Body weight, only in T1, was lower than the weight demanded by the local market, requiring the guinea pigs to be fed for an additional five weeks. During the same period, average daily gain (ADG) with a mixed ration or with concentrate alone was statistically similar, but higher (p<0.01) than the gain with a ration composed solely of forage. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better with a minimum percentage of forage or when the ration consisted solely of concentrate. The highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (68.5-69.7%) was obtained in guinea pigs fed a mixed ration or with concentrate alone (p<0.01). Total or partial substitution of forage with concentrate improves production results. © Los autores. Este artículo es publicado por la Rev Inv Vet Perú de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga