Evaluación productiva de cuyes (Cavia porcellus) procedentes de la sierra sur de Ecuador

Guinea pigs are very important animals in Andean production systems, representing a high-quality food source and generating family income. The objective was to determine some productive parameters of two local groups of guinea pigs in relation to a reference group composed of crossbred animals of the Peruvian line, under a mixed feeding system. The research was carried out at the “Irquis” Farm – University of Cuenca. Two hundred and ninety-five weaned guinea pigs, 15 ± 2 days old, were used: 102 from the province of Azuay, weighing 221.08 ± 42.57 g; 152 from the province of Cañar, weighing 202.38 ± 39.79 g; and 41 crossbred animals of the Peruvian line, weighing 266.13 ± 78.47 g.. Guinea pigs were raised in cages and fed a forage mixture of Lolium sp., Pennisetum clandestinum, and Trifolium repens, along with commercial concentrate and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted 90 days. Feed intake was measured for forage and concentrate per cage, considering both offered feed and residue. Live weight (LW) was recorded every 15 days, and periodic weight gain (PWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. A general linear factorial model (3 x 2) and Tukey's test at the 5% significance level were used to analyze the data. Total dry matter intake (TDM), LWG, PWG, and FCR were significantly lower for the local animals compared to the reference group.