permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

Bart Anderson wrote:

> Lawrence brings up the subject of guinea pigs -- a fascinating topic.  
>
> Guinea pig = Cavia porcellus; cavy; "cuy" or "cui" in Spanish, 
>
> One of my friends wrote a paper for an archaeology class on the subject.  According to him, guinea pigs traditionally were allowed to live in the house, scurrying out to capture greens dropped on the kitchen floor.   They are still popular in Andean countries.  A Peruvian restaurant nearby has them on the menu, but I've never tried them.  Some Bolivian frends gave us a blanket made of guinea pig hides.  
>
> The guinea pigs we kept as children were likable and innocuous, if not very bright.  Their only shortcoming was the loud whistling noises they made when excited.  
>
> There is a complete paper on the raising guinea pigs on a small-scale at 
> http://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=589
>
> A login (free) is required to access the ECHO site.
> http://www.echotech.org/network/
>
> The site has much information that may be of interest to permaculturalists. ECHO provides technical support to missionaries and development workers in the area of agriculture.  
>
> Bart 


This is wonderful information, Bart. I will study these sites then see if I 
can manage to add them to the livestock
(dairy goats [2, soon 6] and laying hens [about 70] raise on my minifarm.

Many thanks,

LL