Guinea pigs: Difference between revisions
(Created page with 'This page is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of breeding guinea pigs as a source of meat, as is common practice in Andean countries. According to [http://www.metafr…') |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
According to [http://www.metafro.be/leisa/1989/5-1-22.pdf this], one male is needed per twelve females. Each female can produce 10-15 young a year. That means one male and twelve females for a yield of 120-180 guinea pigs a year. They can be eaten at age 3-4 months. Big ones can be a little over 1kg. There was a concerted effort in the 1990s to develop bigger meatier varieties [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/19/super_guinea_pig/] | According to [http://www.metafro.be/leisa/1989/5-1-22.pdf this], one male is needed per twelve females. Each female can produce 10-15 young a year. That means one male and twelve females for a yield of 120-180 guinea pigs a year. They can be eaten at age 3-4 months. Big ones can be a little over 1kg. There was a concerted effort in the 1990s to develop bigger meatier varieties [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/19/super_guinea_pig/] | ||
[http://www.food-security.info/pdf%20%28English%29/ECHO%20%28English%29/Guinea%20Pigs%20for%20Meat.pdf This guide] says, "one pair of cavies could produce about 260 new pairs in 2 years". | [http://www.food-security.info/pdf%20%28English%29/ECHO%20%28English%29/Guinea%20Pigs%20for%20Meat.pdf This guide] says, "one pair of cavies could produce about 260 new pairs in 2 years". [http://archaeology.about.com/od/gterms/qt/guinea_pigs.htm This] says, "Most Andean households kept at least 20 cuys; at that level, using a balanced feeding system, Andean families could produce at least 12 pounds of meat per month without decreasing their flock" (that's about equal to one meal of meat a day). | ||
They eat foliage, long grasses, vegetable peels. A varied diet with lots of vitamin C is best | They eat foliage, long grasses, vegetable peels. A varied diet with lots of vitamin C is best | ||
Revision as of 18:30, 8 November 2010
This page is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of breeding guinea pigs as a source of meat, as is common practice in Andean countries.
According to this, one male is needed per twelve females. Each female can produce 10-15 young a year. That means one male and twelve females for a yield of 120-180 guinea pigs a year. They can be eaten at age 3-4 months. Big ones can be a little over 1kg. There was a concerted effort in the 1990s to develop bigger meatier varieties [1]
This guide says, "one pair of cavies could produce about 260 new pairs in 2 years". This says, "Most Andean households kept at least 20 cuys; at that level, using a balanced feeding system, Andean families could produce at least 12 pounds of meat per month without decreasing their flock" (that's about equal to one meal of meat a day).
They eat foliage, long grasses, vegetable peels. A varied diet with lots of vitamin C is best
Bedding of straw, replaced weekly.