Comparative study of reproductive and preweaning performance in meat guinea pigs located in two housing systems.

Guinea pig production contributes to food security and income in Latin America. Traditional floor pens are increasingly being replaced by wire cages. However, the choice between housing systems is often based on subjective preferences rather than performance data. This study is based on a comparison of two housing systems to evaluate the effects of pens versus cages on the reproductive and preweaning performance of guinea pigs. A total of 220 pregnant females were randomly assigned in groups of 10 in different cages and pens, remaining in the same location throughout the study to minimize stress. Differences between housing systems were obtained by Generalized Linear ModelDuring gestation, no significant differences were found in body weight, average daily gain, solid feed intake, forage dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, litter size, or litter weight. After parturition, the same parameters were measured in both dams and offspring during the preweaning phase, again showing no significant differences between housing systems. Additional welfare indicators such as mortality, skin lesions, leg fractures, and ear injuries were also evaluated by Fisher's exact test. A higher incidence of ear lesions was recorded in cages due to ear tags becoming caught in the bars-a problem not observed under commercial conditions where ear tagging is uncommon. No significant differences were observed for the remaining welfare traits. Overall, both systems proved suitable during gestation and lactation. However, cages offered advantages in ease of cleaning and animal handling, as they eliminated the need for workers to bend to ground level.