TITLE:
Effects of Different Levels of Garlic Powder Incorporated in the Feed Enriched with Stylosanthes guianensis on Reproduction and Pre-Weaning Growth Performances of Cavies (Cavia porcellus)
AUTHORS:
Martin Vidal Tatang, Emile Miégoué, Margaret Mary Momo Chongsi, Wouafo David Fokom, Nyah Cédric Kwayep, Paulette Ntsafack, Tobou France-Gina Djoumessi, Mathieu Duclos Fogang, Fernand Tendonkeng
KEYWORDS:
Cavy, Garlic Powder, Pre-Weaning Growth, Reproduction, Stylosanthes guianensis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.13 No.4,
October
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: In order to increase the productivity of the local
cavies as a meat animal, a study was carried out between November 2021 and
March 2022 at the Research and Experimental Farm, Animal Nutrition and Production
Research Unit of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FAAS) and
the Microbiology and Anti-Microbial Research
Unite of the University of Dschang on 72 cavies aged between 4 and 5
months and weighing an average of 450 ± 50 g produced on the farm, including 60
females and 12 males. The females were distributed according to a completely
randomized factorial design in twelve (12) rearing boxes numbered G1 to G12,
with 15 females per group distributed in 03 boxes and receiving iso-nitrogenated
experimental diet (18% protein) R0 enriched with 20% of Stylosanthes guianensis (0% garlic powder), R0.25 (0.25% garlic powder), R0.50 (0.50% garlic powder)
and R0.75 (0.75% garlic powder). Females were identified by numbered ear tags
and mated with a sex ratio of 5 females for 1 male. Drinking water enriched
with vitamin C (01 tablet of 240 mg in 1.5 liters of water) was served ad libitum and renewed daily. The males were removed
after 31 days. A form was established to
record the weight of each pregnant female, any abortions
during gestation, the date of parturition and the date of birth of each
newborn, as well as the number of live-born or stillborn pups. After
parturition, the weights of female and newborn cavies were recorded weekly
until the 3rd week. The number of cavies that died before weaning
and the number of live weaned cavies were also recorded. Reproductive performance significantly increased (p 0.05) fertility rate and net fertility rate,
litter size, birth viability rate, and pre-weaning
viability rate with rations containing garlic powder, compared to the control
ration, especially with the R0.50 ration. In addition, birth mortality and
pre-weaning
mortality were significantly lower (p 0.05)
with rations containing the additive, compared to those of the control ration
(R0). However, the R0.50 ration showed the lowest rates, followed by the R0.25
ration, and finally the R0.75 ration. Weight development of young cavies increased
with all rations but was more marked with the R0.50 ration. Only total weight
gain (TG) and average daily weight gain (ADG) in the pre-weaning phase were
significantly increased (p