Effect of Stocking Density on the Growth Performance of Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus): An Experimental Study

Abstract

The small herbivorous rodents known as guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were domesticated in the Andes and are now being recognized as viable micro-livestock for the production of meat. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different stocking densities on the growth, reproductive performance, and economic viability of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) reared under intensive housing. Forty-eight Dunkin–Hartley weaned guinea pigs (four weeks old) were divided into two treatments: T1 (five animals per replicate; four females and one male) and T2 (seven animals per replicate; six females and one male), each with four replicates. The animals were maintained under standard feeding and management conditions at the Veterinary College, Hassan, Karnataka. Growth performance, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), total dry matter intake (TDMI) was recorded and statistically analysed. Results revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) in weekly body weight, average daily gain (ADG), FCR. However, TDMI was significantly higher (p<0.01) in T2 compared to T1. The findings suggest that guinea pigs can be successfully reared at both stocking densities without compromising performance.