Management, productivity and socio- economic attributes of guinea pigs in Njombe district
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Date
2009
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was aimed at studying management, productivity and socio- economic attributes
of guinea pigs (GP) in Njombe district. Two separate studies were conducted. A survey
was done among 72 households and results indicated that GP were 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
2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th 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<0.01) effect on monthly weights and carcass weight expressed as percent of
slaughter weight. Weights and weight gains increased with increase in feeding level. Daily
weight gains were 1.1 ±0.04, 2.1±0.04 and 2.2±0.04 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Their
corresponding final weights were 473.6 ±10.5, 528.7±10.5 and 588.8±10.5 g. It was concluded
that experimental GP were heavier in early stage of growth than those from surveyed farms
indicating that native GP can do well under good management practices.
Description
Keywords
Studying management, Njombe district, Socio- economic attribute
Citation
Mwalukasa,L.N(2009)Management, productivity and socio- economic attributes of guinea pigs in Njombe district ,Morogoro:Sokoine University of Agriculture.