Comparative Growth Performance in Post-Weaned Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus L) Fed with Panicum Maximum or Pennisetum Purpureum

Abstract

To compare the growth performance of guinea pigs fed with Panicum maximum or Pennisetum purpureum, 24 weaned guinea pigs, divided into 2 lots of 12 animals (7 males and 5 females) each were used. Animals in each lot received ad libitum grass associated with 20g / animal / day of a compound feed containing 16% of crude protein. The results show that at 8 weeks of age, the average weights of animals were comparable (326.64, 326.34g respectively for P. maximum and P. purpureum) for both grasses. Total gains and average daily gains were significantly higher (117.501 and 145.20, 3.36 and 4.15g respectively for the total gains totals and average daily gains of P. maximum and P. purpureum) with P. purpureum in males and regardless to the sex during postweaning growth. The average weights of the classical carcass (178.33 and 178.80g respectively for P. maximum and P. purpureum), and that of the commercial carcass (116.33 and 106.40g for P. maximum and P. purpureum respectively) were comparable. Commercial carcass yield has been statistically higher with P. maximum (40.62 and 35.10% for P. maximum and P. purpureum respectively). According to these results, P. purpureum seems to be better suited during the post-weaning growth in guinea pigs. DOI: 10.29011/2637-9988/100048