Comparative evaluation of the use of forage, concentrate and nutritional block on productive efficiency in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in the growth stage

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the productive behavior of guinea pigs in the growth stage fed with green alfalfa forage, balanced food and a nutritional block. The study was carried out in the Module of the Genetic Improvement Program in Cuyes, of the Professional School of Zootechnics, of the National University of Huancavelica. 42 male and female guinea pigs from the Peru line were used, 18 days old and with an average weight of 223 g. A Completely Random Design was used, distributed in three treatments, T1 (FV green forage), T2 (FV green forage + AB balanced feed) and T3 (FV green forage + AB balanced feed + BN nutritional block), with an evaluation period of 4 weeks. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of food consumption of 2373.93b ± 91.6, 2757.43a ± 353.07 and 2646.43a ± 434.86 g. respectively for T1, T2 and T3; It also showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in weight gain 399.55b ± 104.47, 622.32a ± 142.22 and 591.59a ± 147.88 g. respectively for T1, T2 and T3; and likewise there is a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of feed conversion 3.13a ± 0.72, 2.29b ± 0.41 and 2.34b ± 0.56 respectively for T1, T2 and T3. It is concluded that treatment T2 presented the highest feed consumption, weight gain and efficient feed conversion, which positions it as a viable option to improve productive performance in the growth stage.