Thai
Thai

Mlac : DH

  • Sciencetific Name : Cavia porcellus
  • Strain : Mlac:DH
  • Source : B&K Universal Limited, England (1997) and National University Singapore (2007)
  • Coat color : Albino

Biological Data

  • Adult body weight : Male 1,000-1,200 grams, Female 900-1,000 grams.
  • Average life span : 4-7 years
  • Age at mating : Male 10-12 week. (700-800 grams.)
    Female 8-10 week. (500-700 grams.)
  • Estrous cycle : 15-19 days
  • Duration of estrus : 6-11 hours
  • Reproductive time : 18-24 months
  • Gestation period : 59-72 days
  • Weaning age : 14-21 days (180-200 grams)
  • Litter size : 1-6 pups (average 3.99)
  • Normal birth weight : 65-115 grams
  • Post partum estrus : 60-80%
  • Weaning weight : 45-65 grams
  • Food consumption : 6 grams /100 grams /day
  • Body Temperature : 37.2-39.5 °C
  • Start eating solid food : 2-3 day after birth.
  • Respiratory Rate : 32-60 per minute
  • Dental formula : 2(I1/1, C0/0, P1/1, M3/3)
  • Eyes and ears opened : At Birth

Growth rate

Husbandry

  1. Breeding Systems
          Polygamous mating system is used to maintain foundation stock. In production stock, a harem polygamous mating system (1 male : 5 females) is applied.

  2. Environment
         The guinea pigs are housed in the controlled environment. The room ventilation, temperature and humidity are controlled by HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, Air conditioning) system.
    • Temperature range is controlled at about 22 ± 2 ํC
    • Relative humidity range at about 55 ± 10%
    • Air changes per hour 15-20 ACH
    • Light: and Dark cycle 12:12 hours
    • Guinea pigs are timid and sensitive to noise so the noise level should be < 85 db.
  3. Bedding
          Dried Water Hyacine and Corn Cob are used as bedding and sterilized by autoclave at 135 ํC for 7 minutes before used.
     
  4. Feed and water
          The laboratory guinea pig diet produced by Perfect companion group co. Ltd. is given ad-libitum. Moreover, the autoclaved hay is also given as a supplement source of fiber. The chlorinated RO Water is provider as drinking water (chlorine concentration at 5-6 ppm) .This drinking water is free from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Drinking water is provided in bottles with sippers.

    Equipment

Equipment

Four shelves drawer type cages of size 25 x 36 x 9.5 inches are used for Guinea pig.
Space Requirement
Body weight Floor space/Guinea pig(in2) Height(inches)
250-350 g. 60 7
>350 g. 101 7
Female with young 101 7