Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus L.) suplementation with fresh foliage of morera (Morus alba) and moringa (Moringa oleifera)

Abstract

A research study was conducted to evaluate guinea pig (Cavia porcellus L.) supplementation with Moringa oleifera fresh foliage or Morus alba fresh foliage and the effect on productive behavior. A total of 18 creole guinea pigs with initial body weight of 175.8 g were used in a Completely Randomized Design and with three treatments: 1) Commercial concentrate (CC) ad libitum + CT-115, 2) 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage and 3) 70% CC + Morus alba fresh foliage with six repetitions. No signifi cant eff ects (P>0.05%) were observed between T1, T2 and T3 related with productive parameters (Body weight, gain weight and feed conversion ratio). Guinea pigs feeding with 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage or 70% CC + Morus alba fresh foliage reduced cost production and increase fi nancial benefi t compared with guinea pigs feeding with CC ad libitum + CT-115. However, T3: 70% CC + Moringa oleifera fresh foliage showed the best financial results.