Performance of guinea pigs fed on different rations

Guinea pigs (35; 21 d old of 153.4 g BW) randomly divided in 5 equal groups were offered either control diet (T₁) or gram in T₁ was replaced by 45% maize (T₂), oat (T₅), barley (T₄) or 53% wheat bran (T₅) for 10 weeks. The average feed consumption and body wt. gain were statistically similar in T₁ to T₄ groups but higher (P<0.05) than T₅ group. The feed to gain ratio was depressed (P<0.05) in T₅ as compared to other groups. The digestibility of proximate principles also showed the same trend. Balances of Ca, P and blood glucose level were statistically similar (P>0.05) in all the five groups. It was concluded that costly gram could easily be replaced from guinea pig diet by maize, oat or barley.