Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) fed two levels of protein and energy.

Abstract

A twelve weeks trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and nutrient digestibility by guinea pigs fed two different levels of protein and energy. A total of 24 weaned guinea pigs with an average weight of 241.75 g of both sexes were used for the study. The guinea pigs were randomly allotted to two treatment diets in three replicates each. Each replicate had four animals. Two experimental diets were formulated and fed to the animals. Diet 1 had low protein content (16 % CP) and a high energy value (3189.18 Kcal/Kg) while diet 2 had high protein (22 % CP) and a low energy value (2864.81). Parameters measured were: feed intake, body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the degree of nutrient utilization by the animals. Results revealed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the mean feed intake, body weight and FCR by guinea pigs fed the two treatment diets. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash and Nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility were not significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatment diets. it was concluded that growth performance and nutrient digestibility of guinea pigs is affected by different levels of protein and energy diets fed to them.