Reality and perspective of guinea pig breeding in the Andean countries

Abstract

The Andean countries manage a more or less stable population of 35 million guinea pigs. Peru maintains the largest population and consumption. The distribution of the guinea pig population in Peru and Ecuador is wide, it is found in almost the entire territory, in Colombia and Bolivia its distribution is regional, so they manage smaller populations. It develops well in temperate climates, being able to adapt more to cold than hot climates. Temperatures above 30° C affect the animals, and they can present heat stress and cannot handle themselves productively. Among the species used in the diet of Andean man, the guinea pig is undoubtedly the most popular. This small rodent is identified with the life and customs of the indigenous society, it is also used in medicine and even in magical-religious rituals. The guinea pig has always been related to a high Andean species, but the best productive, reproductive and marketing results have occurred on the coast of Peru. Their upbringing has spread in rural sectors, guinea pig micro-enterprises have been generated, which has allowed them to generate rural jobs. The tradition of consumption in the city of Lima is sustained by the migrant population that maintains its customs in the capital. The guinea pig habitat is very extensive, numerous groups have been detected in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Northwest Argentina, and Northern Chile, distributed along the axis of the Andean mountain range. The guinea pigs known as "creoles", due to their lower meat production, are being replaced by genetically improved animals. In the 1980s, work on genetic improvement and nutrition continued. The delivery of broodstock to family breeding producers begins and small-scale commercial breeding begins. The current importance lies in the increase in consumption due to the guarantee of obtaining guinea pigs in technified farms. The development of the upbringing is based on the remarkable genetic improvement that nowadays makes the upbringing competitive.