Zootechnical and reproductive parameters in first-time females of improved guinea pigs fed with levels of 0 to 1.5% of mineral salts in their diet

Abstract

The present quantitative study aimed to determine the doses of mineral salts that should be added to the diet of female guinea pigs during mating, gestation, and lactation. The study was conducted at the Small Species Area of the Agricultural Engineering career at the Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Ecuador. A total of 40 primiparous females of improved guinea pigs from the San Luis, Auqui, and Rosario lines were distributed in 8 pens in a 1:5 mating ratio. The trial was conducted under a completely randomized design with 3 different doses of mineral salts compared to a control (T0 = 0%, T1 = 0.5%, T2 = 1%, T3 = 1.5%) and 2 repetitions, at a reliability of 95%. Data were contrasted using Duncan's test (p < 0.05), orthogonal polynomials, and simple linear regressions in the Infostat software. The consumption of balanced feed, total feed consumption, and daily feed consumption reached maximum performance with mineral salt doses of 1.002% and 1.026% during mating and lactation (p < 0.05). Total and daily weight gain established mineral salt dosing at 1.28% during mating, 1.499% during gestation, and 1.577% during lactation (p < 0.05). Feed conversion and feed efficiency were optimized during mating, gestation, and lactation with a dose of 1.13% mineral salts (p < 0.05). Females supplemented with mineral salts showed a higher number of born and weaned offspring, with doses of 1.48% and 1.367% during gestation and lactation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the application of mineral salts in diets of primiparous female guinea pigs presents statistical evidence to improve zootechnical and reproductive parameters, depending on the reproductive stage.