Management, Productivity And Socio- Economic Attributes Of Guinea Pigs In Njombe District

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at studying the management, productivity and socio-economic attributes of guinea pigs (GP) in the Njombe district. Two separate studies were conducted. A survey was done among 72 households and results indicated that GP was owned by most of the households. The majority (93.1%) of farmers who keep GP practise intensive production system. GP were found to be a good source of meat (35.5%) manure (32.8%) and for income (17.5%) to farmers. The mean weights of sampled GP measured at the farmers’ households were 571.3 ±8.71, 548.9 ±8.25, 233.5 ±2.19, 231.6 ±2.38, 126.4 ±3.52, 127.1 ±3.18 g for mature males, females, growing males, females, young males and females, respectively. A planned experiment was conducted involving 60 GP aged one month and fed 5g (T1), 20g (T2) and 30g (T3) of concentrates for 4 months. Data were analysed using General Linear Models of SAS for effects of sex, origin and diets. Results showed that the effect of sex on body weights at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th month and carcass traits was not significant (P>0.05). Further, effect of origin of GP on weights and carcass traits was insignificant though GP from Ramadhani had significantly higher (335.6± 9.09 g) mean initial weight and final weights (551.9± 8.59 g)compared to those from Itulike (with respective weights of 292.6± 9.09 and 508.9± 8.59 g). Dietary treatment had significant (p