They dont' really grow faster than rats...they just are born about the same size as a small rat. Gestation is really long for guinea pigs and they don't tend to have more than 2-3 babies at a time on average. Birth weight is usually around 85-100g (females are lighter at birth, males usually 100g or more). They wean at 3 weeks, rats usually around 4 weeks. Gestation averages around 63-69 days, alot longer compared to the 21-23 days for a rat.

Though adult guinea pigs are definitely alot bigger than any jumbo rat, to breed your own guinea pigs as feeders isn't really worth it. Buying frozen thawed shouldn't be a problem. But for animals like monitors and crocodilians...I suggest a mix of prey items, from chicken, rats, rabbit, and other natural prey. (some monitors like insects, eggs, fruit, fish and other things in their diet, depending on the species).

I think rabbits would be your best bet. Even if your wife has a pet rabbit, 'food' rabbits tend to be different in looks and size than most 'petstore' rabbits. And one advantage of food type rabbits (common breed used for human consumption...though I can't recall what it is actually called) is you can always eat it yourself.
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PHLdyPayne

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