Study of some physiological parameters of domestic guinea pigs in Burundi: Gitega province case, natural region of Kirimiro

In order to improve the living conditions and the profitability of breeding guinea pigs in Burundi, a study of some physiological parameters of domesticated guinea pigs in Burundi was conducted at the farm of the Higher Institute of Agriculture (ISA) with a staff of 22 guinea pigs of local breeds. For twelve months, some parameters related to physiology (reproduction, weight change, in take capacity and the amount of waste disposed per day per adult subject) were observed. We noticed that the average body weight of a new born is 62.5g with a weight between 550 and 600g at the age of 28 weeks and carcass yield of 45%.The highest average daily gain is at the age of three months. Guinea pigs come into breeding on the age of two to three months and the gestation period varies between 63 and 67 days with an interval of 85 days between two calving. The number of pups per litter ranges from 1 to 4 with 4 litters per year. An adult guinea pig eats 415g of feed per day and excretes 42g of feces and 81ml of urine per day per subject