Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Black Guinea Pig Breeding and Management Techniques
I. Overview The Chinese black guinea pig is a black guinea pig -- a precious herbivorous animal that combines game meat, fur, ornamental value, and tonic properties. The guinea pig belongs to the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, and is also known as the cavy. It has black ears, black eyes, black toes, and glossy black fur, hence it is called the black guinea pig. The guinea pig has a large head, short neck, round ears, no tail, and short limbs. The forelimbs have four toes and the hindlimbs have three toes. The claws on the toes are short and sharp, they do not scratch people, and the animal is not good at climbing or jumping. It is gentle in temperament, timid and easily startled, and sometimes emits squeaking cries. It grows quickly (can be sold after 2 months of rearing), has a high reproductive rate (sexual maturity is reached at one and a half months after birth, when it can be bred), strong disease resistance, a high survival rate, and strong adaptability. The Chinese black guinea pig is a precious herbivorous animal that combines game meat, tonic properties, medicinal value, fur, and ornamental value in one. Its successful breeding has added a glorious page to the development of black foods in our country and even the world. 1. Game meat and tonic properties: The Chinese black guinea pig, developed through the introduction of wild guinea pigs and continuous optimization and breeding, has white and tender meat (muscle fibers are extremely fine), and its flavor is fresher than chicken, duck, and fish; the guinea pig skin is rich in collagen, with a fatty and glutinous mouthfeel, better than the skirt of soft-shelled turtle. Modern scientific research has proved that black foods are not only rich in nutrients but also have special functions such as eliminating free radicals in the human body, antioxidant effects, lowering blood lipids, anti-tumor effects, strengthening yang, and anti-aging. Traditional Chinese medicine in our country holds that black foods tonify the kidney, the kidney is the foundation of innate constitution, and the source of life is consolidated in the kidney; it points out that black foods can consolidate the foundation and support healthy qi, nourish the skin and beautify the face, strengthen the body, and prolong life. The black guinea pig is a high-protein, low-fat, low-cholesterol food. The melanin it contains can eliminate free radicals in the human body and prevent excess lipids, thereby playing a role in delaying aging; its iron content is 3 times that of soft-shelled turtle.
2. Medicinal use: Black guinea pig meat is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature, and has the effects of tonifying qi and blood and detoxifying. It is used to treat conditions such as physical weakness, kidney deficiency in the elderly, and postpartum anemia. Black guinea pig meat can be used to produce drugs for treating epilepsy, and guinea pig blood can be used to extract the pharmaceutical raw material serotonin. Patients with stomach diseases and cardiovascular diseases who eat 3-4 black guinea pigs within a short period (about 10 days) can stabilize and alleviate their condition, reduce symptoms, and maintain this for a relatively long time.
3. Fur: The black guinea pig is also a precious fur animal. Its fur is black and glossy, and its luster is comparable to that of mink. The fur is 2 cm-3 cm long, shorter than fox fur, and conforms to the new trend of modern clothing disinfection. The skin plate is thin and soft and rich in collagen. Testing by relevant leather research institutes has proved that black guinea pig fur can be used to produce high-grade fur coats and craft ornaments, and has very high economic value and utilization value.
4. Ornamental value: The black guinea pig has a mild temperament, is easy to raise and manage, and is lively and cute. It is loved by people, especially children, and can be kept as a pet.
II. Black Guinea Pig Breeding Techniques The black guinea pig is a herbivorous animal. Various wild grasses, vegetables, leaves, melon peels, plant stems and leaves, rice straw, and other stalks are all good feed for it. Feed it once each in the morning and evening every day. The daily food intake is about 150 grams per animal, appropriately supplemented with a small amount of grain, wheat, corn, and other concentrate feed. It is a typical grain-saving small domestic animal. In rural areas there are many grassy hills and slopes, and feed resources are very abundant. Black guinea pigs can effectively utilize local grass feed, enabling each breeding household to obtain huge economic benefits and high-grade natural black nutritional tonic game meat in a very short time.
(1) Preparation of the rearing site The first consideration is the rearing facilities. There are many ways to raise black guinea pigs, adapted to local conditions. The commonly used methods are: cage rearing, flat pool-style pen rearing, and three-dimensional large-scale factory farming.
1. Cage rearing. This rearing method can be used for small-scale rearing. Its advantages are that it can control reproduction and feeding and maintain cleanliness and hygiene. The cage can be made of wooden strips, bamboo strips, or wire, with dimensions preferably 60 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm.
2. Flat pool-style pen rearing. It is suitable for use in single-story houses and when the shed is wide. The room is partitioned with bricks, wooden boards, etc. into pools with an area of 0.5-1 sq m. It is best to spread some sawdust or dry straw in the pool, which helps keep it warm and absorb moisture. At present, this method is mostly used for rearing.
3. Three-dimensional factory farming: It is relatively large in scale and relatively concentrated, convenient for management and operation, and allows raising many animals. Bricks, wood, or iron bars are used to make 3-5 layers, with the bottom slightly sloped so that feces flow out, making management convenient. There are small doors in the pools and cages. Generally, the number to be stocked is determined by the size of the cage or shed. For each sq m, the density is 8-10 animals at low density and 10-20 animals at high density. Generally, one with a length and width of 100 cm × 50 cm can hold 1 male and 4 females; 80 cm × 50 cm can hold 1 male and 3 females; 60 cm × 50 cm can hold 1 male and 2 females; 45 cm × 35 cm can hold 1 male and 1 female. For pool rearing and box rearing, the stocking density should be appropriately lower. Before stocking black guinea pigs, the house should be sprayed and disinfected with a 0.02% potassium permanganate solution.
(2) Feeding The Chinese black guinea pig has a very broad diet. It is a herbivorous animal that mainly eats green feed. Wild grasses, leaves, stalks, and vegetables are all sources of food for it. Generally, feed it once each in the morning and evening, about 150 grams per animal per meal. To promote the growth of black guinea pigs, some complete mixed feed should also be provided, with a composition similar to rabbit feed. If making mixed feed (concentrate) yourself, the raw material ratio is: corn meal 40%, grain meal 10%, bran 30%, peanut shell meal 15%, fish meal 2%, bone meal 2%, salt 1%. Make the feed into pellets or mix with water into wet feed for feeding. The black guinea pig has a very omnivorous diet, and normal growth, development, and reproduction all require sufficient nutrition. Because the black guinea pig is a herbivorous animal, it has a relatively high digestion rate for crude fiber. If green feed or dried grass and other plants are not supplied for a long time, skin peeling will occur, so feed supply should combine concentrate and green feed. Green feed: fresh tender grass, such as ryegrass, corn leaves, sugarcane leaves, tree leaves, green vegetables, fruit peels, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.
(3) Sanitation management Black guinea pigs love cleanliness. Whether raised in pens or cages, the environmental sanitation of the rearing room must be well managed. Feeding troughs should be cleaned regularly to prevent food from becoming moldy, ensure the freshness of feed and drinking water, and eliminate contamination of feed and drinking water by wild rats, cockroaches, and the like.
(4) Reproduction Black guinea pigs mature sexually early. Generally, female guinea pigs show sexual characteristics at 35——45 days of age, and males at 70 days of age. However, female guinea pigs are best bred after 70 days of age. Sex identification: a simple method is to press the perineal area with the hand; by observing whether a penis appears and the shape of the external genitalia, male or female can be confirmed. When catching and inspecting, press the back of the black guinea pig with the right hand, hold its left shoulder with the thumb, and hold the right shoulder and chest with the other four fingers. After gently lifting it in this way, support its body with the left hand. The estrous cycle of female guinea pigs is 16 days, and the duration of estrus is 1——18 hours, averaging 9 hours. The gestation period of female guinea pigs is 56——68 days, and the litter size is 3——5, with some reaching 6——9. Seed selection: Breeding guinea pigs should be selected for a plump body, sturdy bones, correct limb shape, bright eyes, good nutritional status and development, glossy coat color, soft and elastic skin, symmetrical and equally sized testes in males, and normal external genital development in females. Mating: The duration of estrus in black guinea pigs is 1-18 hours, averaging 9 hours. Estrus mostly occurs between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next day. After a female guinea pig mates during estrus, there is a gelatinous mixture at the vaginal opening. Based on the presence or absence of this plug, it can be judged whether mating was successful. Under normal circumstances, black guinea pigs retained for original seed breeding are all mated one male to one female, that is, only 1 pair of breeding guinea pigs is placed in each breeding pool. Female guinea pigs should be allowed to cohabit and reproduce after the young guinea pigs are weaned; the male can be placed in within half a day after the female gives birth for postpartum mating; both the mating rate and reproductive rate are high. In large-group rearing, 3 to 4 female guinea pigs are often placed with one male black guinea pig for mating. It is strictly forbidden to place two male guinea pigs together, to prevent fighting that would affect mating. Birth: The gestation period of female guinea pigs is about 68 days, and the litter size is generally 3 to 7. Young guinea pigs are weaned after 15 days and raised separately after weaning. Under normal circumstances, 60-80 days of rearing can meet commercial requirements. During gestation, in addition to increasing the quantity and quality of feed, the site should be kept quiet and clean, and idle personnel should not enter and leave at will. It is necessary to ensure that the daily ration is fresh, and feed small meals frequently. In the late stage of gestation, dried grass should be placed in the cage so that the female guinea pig can build a nest to prepare for giving birth. The lactation period of young black guinea pigs is 15 days in summer and 20 days in winter. During lactation, the feed nutrition of the female guinea pig should be increased. Black guinea pigs have a high reproductive rate and strong immunity. Breeding guinea pigs can be used for 3 years, and during the rearing process no immunization or drug prevention and treatment are needed.
(5) Feeding management Feeding management is the key to black guinea pig breeding, with the focus on preventing feed from becoming moldy and deteriorating. Mixed feed is best fed as it is mixed. When pelleted feed is fed directly, clean water should be provided for drinking, or the feed should be mixed and fed. Feed small meals frequently, with a daily ration cost of about 40 grams per animal, fed twice a day, and keep the feeding trough clean and hygienic. After feeding concentrate, fresh green feed should be placed in at the same time. Green feed is best cut and fed on the same day. The daily amount of green feed collected per adult animal is about 250 grams. Prevent feeding green feed contaminated by pesticides and the like. The rearing room should be kept quiet, feces should be cleaned every day, and utensils should often be scrubbed clean. The room temperature is best kept at 18°C-25°C, with a relative humidity of 45%-55%. In winter, keep warm. Prevent rats and snakes from entering the rearing room, and create a comfortable living environment for the black guinea pigs. Keepers should be conscientious and responsible, observe carefully, and handle problems promptly when found. Four-season management Spring management: In spring, the temperature is suitable. More green feed should be fed, reproduction should be carried out promptly, and a certain density and indoor environmental sanitation should be maintained. Summer management: In summer, the temperature is relatively high. Heat prevention and cooling work should be done conscientiously, indoor ventilation should be strengthened, the room should be kept clean and dry, feces should be removed promptly, density should be reduced, disinfection should be strict, nutrition should be strengthened, and the physical condition of black guinea pigs should be kept stable. Autumn management: In autumn, the sky is high and the air is crisp, and the temperature is pleasant. Keep the indoor floor, cages, and feeding utensils clean, draw up a good breeding plan, prepare more green feed, and prevent feeding deteriorated feed. Winter management: In winter, the weather is cold. Keep warm, prevent wind from entering, and appropriately increase the rearing density of black guinea pigs. Because the supply of green feed is insufficient in winter, appropriately increase the feeding of grain, bran, and other concentrate feed. Black guinea pigs eat grass, have a docile temperament, reproduce quickly, have relatively few diseases, and are simple to raise, with low input and quick results. They are very suitable for laid-off workers and surplus rural labor to raise, and are suitable for all ages. Therefore, promoting black guinea pig breeding has very good social significance. It can achieve good social benefits and economic benefits.
III. Disease prevention and treatment If artificial rearing methods for black guinea pigs are mastered and management is strict, diseases rarely occur. Even if there are deaths from disease, they are very rare individual cases. If feed deteriorates, feeding is irregular, green feed is unclean, nutrition is incomplete, and management is extensive, diseases will occur. The following introduces two common diseases.
Bloat disease: Most cases are caused by eating moldy and deteriorated feed or drinking contaminated water, or eating green vegetables that have not dried after dew or green vegetables with excessive water content, leading to indigestion. It mostly manifests as abdominal bloating, listlessness, reduced or stopped eating, pale lips, and feces that are more abundant and loose or watery, green, and foul-smelling.
Prevention and treatment methods: When a diseased animal is found, isolate it immediately. Feed drugs such as chloramphenicol or oxytetracycline. A herbal medicine can also be used: boil Andrographis paniculata in water and feed it for 2-3 consecutive days, 1-2 times a day. Centella asiatica can also be washed clean, air-dried, and fed raw. Emaciation disease: Caused by a long-term single daily ration, malnutrition, or feeding dry grain without adding drinking water, resulting in blocked digestion and cessation of eating, or the occurrence of guinea pig stomach diseases that cannot be discovered and treated in time, leading to progressive emaciation.
Prevention and treatment methods: Cod liver oil or egg yolk can be used as a supplement, cooked soybeans can be mixed into the feed and fed, and after 10 days the daily feed can be restored. At the same time, add multivitamins for poultry. If body temperature rises, 20,000-30,000 units of penicillin can be injected intramuscularly, twice a day, for 3-5 consecutive days.