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

1. Abstract

To compare the growth performance of guinea pigs fed with Panicum maximum or Pennisetum purpureum, 24 guinea pigs, divided into 2 lots of 12 animals (7 males and 5 females) each were used. The animals in each lot received ad libitum grass associated with 20g / animal / day of a compound feed containing 15.76% of crude protein. The results show that at 8 weeks of age, average animal weights 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 post-weaning growth. The average weights of the classical carcass (178.33, 178.80g respectively for P. maximum and P. purpureum ), of the commercial carcass (116.33, 106.40g for P. maximum and P. purpureum respectively) were comparable. Commercial carcass yield has been statistically higher (40.62, 35.10% for P. maximum and P. purpureum respectively) with P. maximum . P. purpureum seems better suited during the post-weaning growth in guinea pigs.

2. Keywords: Cavia Porcellus; Growth Performance; Panicum Maximum; Pennisetum Purpureum