VI. Cavy (Guinea Pig)
A. General
1. Male–Boar
2. Female–Sow
3. Young–Kit or Piglet
4. Group–Herd or Colony
B. Breeding Age
1. Puberty
a. Female
i. 4-5 weeks
b. Males
i. 8-10 weeks
2. Reproductive life
a. Female
i. 4-5 years
b. Male
i. >5 years
C. Cyclicity
1. Type and Season of Cycle
a. Polyestrous
b. Year around
2. Length of Sexual Cycle
a. 16 days (13-20)
3. Duration of Heat (Estrus)
a. 6-15 hours
4. Time of Ovulation
a. 10 hours from onset of estrus
5. Viability of Ova
a. 20 hours
D.
Mating
1. Best at 2.5-3 months of age (22-28 oz.)
a. Breeding before 6 months leads to less obesity and lowers chance of dystocia
2. Mating Behavior
a. Repeated process of boar mounting the sow and packing the ejaculate into the sows vulva
i. 10-12 separate intromissions
b. Sow presents the urogenital vent for mating after repeated advances by the boar
c. Sow and boar clean genitals between intromissions
d. Male mates until exhaustion or until female is out of estrus.
e. Sperm plug dislodges within an hour after last copulation
i. Usually eaten
ii. Size of Sperm plug directly proportional to fertility and prolificacy.
3. Breeding life is 3-4 years depending on obesity
a. Females
i. Fat mechanically blocks oviduct
b. Males
i. Testicular fat causes overheating of testes.
ii. Obese males lack libido and endurance
E.
Pregnancy
1. Gestation
a. 63 days (59-72)
F. Parturition/Lactation
1. Parturition
a. Pubic Symphysis must separate approx. width of index finger
b. Dystocia a big problem
i. Pubic symphysis fusion
ii. Obesity
c. Length–30 minutes and relatively bloodless
d. Female will enter estrus and ovulate with 2-3 hours after parturition, and will
successfully breed
2. Littersize
a. 3-4 kits or piglets (1-6)
3. Mammary Glands
a. 2
b. Inguinal
4. Weaning age
a. 3-4 weeks
b. 250 grams
5. First Estrus after parturition
a. Immediately
