Performance of Grasscutters (Thryonomys Swinderianus) Fed With Varying Composition of Compounded Feed
- October 1, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Forest, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Okeke, A.N.
Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State Nigeria
Abstract: This research compared the effect of different feed ration on growing grasscutters to obtain a compounded feed that is efficient in managing this rodent in captivity. Ten young grasscutters (2 months old) were weighed at the initial stage, put in five compartment cages (two animals in a cage) of equal dimension: 0.75 x 0.38 x 0.40 m (L x W x H). Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used to allow the animals in their cages, labeled Treatments 1to 5 (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The animals were fed with varying percentages of compounded maize, millet, Guinea corn, sweet potatoes, cassava tubers with clean water, and forage every day for six months. The feeds used for each treatment were labeled F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 respectively. Data were collected weekly on body weight (kg) and length (cm) of the animals by the use of weighing balance and ruler respectively. The result shows that T2 animals, fed with the highest percentage of millet were significantly higher (P<0.05) in both body weight and length, while T4 animals fed with sweet potatoes have the lowest body weight and length. This work recommends improving grasscutter feed with millet flour for fast growth and agility.
Keywords: Body weight, Compounded feed, Cages, Domestication, Treatments
I. INTRODUCTION
Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a member of the rodent family. Its meat is very much in demand in Nigeria as white meat and source of animal protein. To produce this animal more efficiently in captivity, there is a need to look into balanced nutrition as a major factor for mass production. Consequently, Conservationists (IUCN, 2008) recommend domestication of some wild animal species in high demand as bush meat to reduce pressure on the wild population
