Evaluation of Silage of a Fodder Mixture with the Addition of Whey, Molasses, and Bentonite and Its Effect on the Feeding of Guinea Pigs in the Growth-Fattening Stage

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluated the use of silage of a fodder mixture with the addition of whey, molasses, and bentonite and its effect on the feeding of guinea pigs in the growth-fattening stage. A completely random design was employed in a two-factor combinatorial arrangement. The best final weight, the best weight gain, the best feed conversion, carcass weight, and carcass yield with 1.12 kg, 0.76 kg, 5.26, 0.67 kg, and 66.50%, respectively, corresponded to T1: Baccharis latifolia (chilca) + Cortaderia selloana (sig sig) with whey additive. For the productive parameters, a predominance of male over female guinea pigs was noted. In addition, the T1 treatment obtained a cost-benefit of $1.26, that is, a gain of 26 cents for each dollar invested, being economically the best treatment. The use of the silage of chilca + sig sig + the different additives do not affect the biological behavior of the animals; therefore, it is recommended to use whey as an additive in the silage (chilca + sig sig sig) for feeding guinea pigs during the growth-fattening stage.

Keywords

• guinea pigs, silage, fodder mixture, growth.