EFFECT OF DIETS BASED ON ALFALFA, BARLEY MEAL AND MINERAL BLOCK ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GUINEA PIGS

The effect of feed supplementation with barley meal and mineral block on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion index, slaughter age, production cost and profit/cost ratio was evaluated in guinea pigs fed with alfalfa. A total of 250 male weaned animals were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement (barley meal x mineral block) and one additional treatment for contrast (balanced diet).Barley meal supplementation significantly improved (p<0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion index, benefit cost ratio and decreased slaughter age while mineral block supplementation only decreased slaughter age (p<0.05). On the other hand,plain forage without supplements and forage plus barley meal showed the best economic results.