Umba et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2017 Étude expérimentale sur la reproduction chez le cobaye (Cavia porcellus) élevé en zone périphérique de Kinshasa, R D Congo . Published online at www.m.elewa.org on 30 th September 2017 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jab.v117i1.9 Umba et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2017 Étude expérimentale sur la reproduction chez le cobaye (Cavia porcellus) élevé en zone périphérique de Kinshasa, R D Congo 11731 Experimental study on breeding guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) raised in

more »

... heral area of Kinshasa, Congo R D Objective: An experimental study on reproductive parameters in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) raised in the peripheral area of Kinshasa was carried out. Its objective is to teach ruminant management of rational reproduction by a judicious selection of the active females at the breeding, of the required weight and age and their coupling to the performing males (local or exotic) in order to ensure a better productivity. Methodology and results: The study included 216 sires including 36 males and 180 females from the Democratic Republic of Congo (respectively Bukavu and Kinshasa) and Belgium, who gave young guinea pigs 1002 after various crosses. The average live weight at birth for both sexes was 70.49 ± 20.52g ; it is influenced by the weight of their mother and varies depending on the size of the litter. The average live weight at weaning at three weeks is 127.45 ± 49.48 g ; has a distinct effect on the growth of animals. The average size of the litter varies between 1.73 and 3.10, depending on the origin of the parents. The interval between calving ranges from 89.3 ± 4.3 days and 90.2 ± 5.5 days following the origin of the parents ; the difference is not significant. The average age at the first calving ranges from 154.7 ± 30.3 days to 228.5 ± 28.2 days ; there are strong variations according to the origin of the parents. Conclusion and application of results: The breeder of the guinea-pigs must select the females of suitable age and weight, suitable for breeding, in order to ensure a regular and rational breeding; but must also choose healthy females in order to mate them to local or exotic performing males to improve their productivity.