Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication
This project aimed to observe the effect of different weaning times on the weight gain in agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The goal was to acquire an appropriate weaning time for offsprings. The experiment was performed at the University of the West Indies Field Station Farm (UFS) where animals were di...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Medicine International |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6664656 |
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| author | Hannah-Marie Samantha Singh Kegan Romelle Jones |
| author_facet | Hannah-Marie Samantha Singh Kegan Romelle Jones |
| author_sort | Hannah-Marie Samantha Singh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This project aimed to observe the effect of different weaning times on the weight gain in agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The goal was to acquire an appropriate weaning time for offsprings. The experiment was performed at the University of the West Indies Field Station Farm (UFS) where animals were divided into four treatment groups, with each treatment group consisted of four animals. Treatment 1 offsprings were weaned at four weeks, treatment 2 offsprings were weaned at three weeks, treatment 3 offsprings were weaned at two weeks, and treatment 4 offsprings were weaned at one week. The offsprings were raised experimentally for their first seven weeks. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) recorded in offsprings live weight and average daily gain (ADG) for treatments 1, 2, and 3. However, offsprings reared in treatment 4 had significantly (p<0.05) less live weight and weight gain in comparison to the other groups at seven weeks. Offsprings in treatment 4 also experienced 50% mortality (2/4 animals died), one animal removed from the experiment due to progressive weight loss, and one offspring remained in the experiment for its duration. The other treatment experienced no loss (0% mortality). Based on the results of the experiment, agouti offsprings should not be weaned at one week due to high mortality and low live weight at the end of seven weeks. Animals can be weaned between 2 and 4 weeks of age with no detrimental effects. Dependent on the level of production, animals can be weaned at 2 or 4 weeks depending on the operators desired litters per year. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9222f9190144c98928b7f7bf475c0e8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-8113 2042-0048 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Medicine International |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9222f9190144c98928b7f7bf475c0e82025-02-03T01:08:48ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine International2090-81132042-00482021-01-01202110.1155/2021/66646566664656Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for DomesticationHannah-Marie Samantha Singh0Kegan Romelle Jones1Department of Food Production (DFP), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and TobagoDepartment of Basic Veterinary Sciences (DBVS), School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and TobagoThis project aimed to observe the effect of different weaning times on the weight gain in agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The goal was to acquire an appropriate weaning time for offsprings. The experiment was performed at the University of the West Indies Field Station Farm (UFS) where animals were divided into four treatment groups, with each treatment group consisted of four animals. Treatment 1 offsprings were weaned at four weeks, treatment 2 offsprings were weaned at three weeks, treatment 3 offsprings were weaned at two weeks, and treatment 4 offsprings were weaned at one week. The offsprings were raised experimentally for their first seven weeks. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) recorded in offsprings live weight and average daily gain (ADG) for treatments 1, 2, and 3. However, offsprings reared in treatment 4 had significantly (p<0.05) less live weight and weight gain in comparison to the other groups at seven weeks. Offsprings in treatment 4 also experienced 50% mortality (2/4 animals died), one animal removed from the experiment due to progressive weight loss, and one offspring remained in the experiment for its duration. The other treatment experienced no loss (0% mortality). Based on the results of the experiment, agouti offsprings should not be weaned at one week due to high mortality and low live weight at the end of seven weeks. Animals can be weaned between 2 and 4 weeks of age with no detrimental effects. Dependent on the level of production, animals can be weaned at 2 or 4 weeks depending on the operators desired litters per year.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6664656 |
| spellingShingle | Hannah-Marie Samantha Singh Kegan Romelle Jones Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication Veterinary Medicine International |
| title | Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication |
| title_full | Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication |
| title_fullStr | Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication |
| title_full_unstemmed | Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication |
| title_short | Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication |
| title_sort | postweaning performance of the agouti dasyprocta leporina a neotropical rodent with potential for domestication |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6664656 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hannahmariesamanthasingh postweaningperformanceoftheagoutidasyproctaleporinaaneotropicalrodentwithpotentialfordomestication AT keganromellejones postweaningperformanceoftheagoutidasyproctaleporinaaneotropicalrodentwithpotentialfordomestication |