Effects of two protein levels on growth rate and feed efficiency of guinea pigs from different inbred lines

Two hundred and seven guinea pigs from 12 inbred lines (154 individually fed and 53 group fed) were randomly assigned to one of two ratios containing 14 and 23 percent crude protein, and fed from three to 15 weeks of age. Pigs individually fed the lower protein diet gained significantly more, consumed more feed and were more efficient than pigs on the higher protein diet. Males gained faster, ate more than females but did not show a significantly higher feed efficiency. The lines differed in total gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency. Faster gaining lines tended to eat more and were more efficient than slower gaining lines. The line x sex interaction for feed efficiency was significant, but other first and second order interactions for the three traits compared were nonsignificant. Average total gain for group fed pigs was higher for those on the lower protein ration. Among the group fed pigs neither the lines nor the two sexes differed significantly in average total gain. A comparison of group fed and individually fed pigs within a line suggested that pigs in two lines gained more and those in one line gained less under a group-fed regime

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: 131183 Wheat, J.D., 121191 Spies, H.G., 125337 Tran, C.T., 83509 Kock, B.A.
Format: biblioteca
Subjects:CUYES, ALIMENTACION DE LOS ANIMALES, PROTEINA, GANANCIA DE PESO, CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS,
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Summary:Two hundred and seven guinea pigs from 12 inbred lines (154 individually fed and 53 group fed) were randomly assigned to one of two ratios containing 14 and 23 percent crude protein, and fed from three to 15 weeks of age. Pigs individually fed the lower protein diet gained significantly more, consumed more feed and were more efficient than pigs on the higher protein diet. Males gained faster, ate more than females but did not show a significantly higher feed efficiency. The lines differed in total gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency. Faster gaining lines tended to eat more and were more efficient than slower gaining lines. The line x sex interaction for feed efficiency was significant, but other first and second order interactions for the three traits compared were nonsignificant. Average total gain for group fed pigs was higher for those on the lower protein ration. Among the group fed pigs neither the lines nor the two sexes differed significantly in average total gain. A comparison of group fed and individually fed pigs within a line suggested that pigs in two lines gained more and those in one line gained less under a group-fed regime