How to Improve Black Guinea Pig Fertility? Detailed Explanation of the Main Measures

(1) Formulate a Reasonable Breeding Plan
    Practicing semi-intensive breeding or intensive breeding can improve the fertility of black guinea pigs. However, according to China's actual conditions and feeding management level, the traditional breeding method should still be adopted, that is, mating after the young guinea pigs are weaned. The weaning time for young guinea pigs is preferably 15 to 20 days of age, with about 4 litters per year. In terms of timing, focus on breeding in early spring and autumn, and create conditions for winter breeding.
   (2) Strict Selection of Breeding Stock
    When selecting breeding guinea pigs, they are required to be healthy, of strong constitution, and with vigorous libido. Selection should also be based on pedigree and records of reproduction and production performance. The testes of male guinea pigs are required to be large and symmetrical; male guinea pigs with cryptorchidism or a single testis must not be kept for breeding. Female guinea pigs are required to have strong fertility and good maternal instincts. The vulva should be well formed, the nipples large, and a pair should be normal. Promptly cull female guinea pigs that produce few young, have a low conception rate, or have poor lactation.
   (3) Scientific Feeding
    Maintaining the breeding body condition of breeding guinea pigs is one of the important measures to improve the fertility of black guinea pigs. Before the breeding season arrives, gradually increase the amount of protein feed and minerals and vitamins fed. For overly fat breeding guinea pigs, appropriately limit the amount of high-energy feed; for overly thin breeding guinea pigs, strengthen feeding to maintain breeding body condition, so that the breeding guinea pigs have vigorous sexual function.
    (4) Reasonable Age Structure
    In the breeding guinea pig herd, young, prime-age, and old breeding guinea pigs should have a reasonable age structure. Breeding guinea pigs are generally used for about 2 to 5 years, and about 1/3 are selected to be culled each year. Therefore, more than 1/3 of reserve guinea pigs should be retained each year, and further selected from them as the source of breeding guinea pigs. The entire breeding guinea pig herd should be mainly composed of young and prime-age animals. If the proportion of old breeding guinea pigs is too large, it will affect the entire guinea pig herd's reproduction.
    (5)
    Avoid Inbreeding
⟧    In guinea pig farming, be sure to avoid close inbreeding. Close inbreeding easily produces stillbirths and deformed young guinea pigs, and can also cause infertility in offspring or reduce the vitality of offspring. Breeding farms or production farms should establish a breeding guinea pig record system. Mating and reproduction records and pedigree data are important bases for bloodline-based mate selection to prevent close inbreeding. Even for specialized guinea pig farming households, they should have a clear understanding of the blood relationships of the breeding guinea pigs they raise.
    (6) Timely Mating
    1. Mating within 1 to 19 hours after the female guinea pig gives birth (blood mating) easily results in conception. However, the female guinea pig is required to be of strong constitution, and the feeding management level required is also relatively high, so it should not be used continuously.
    2. After the young guinea pigs are weaned, mating the female guinea pig within 1 to 2 days often easily results in conception.
    3. After false pregnancy ends, mating during estrus also easily results in conception.
    In short, the fertility level of black guinea pigs is affected by many factors. To improve the fertility of black guinea pigs, comprehensive measures must be taken to be effective.