Effect of Concentrate Feed Supplementation Regime on the Growth Performance and Economics of Production of Grasscutter (<i>Thryonomys swinderianus</i>)

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted with Twenty (20) weaner grasscutters to investigate the effect of concentrate supplement when fed elephant grass as a basal diet. Weaner grasscutters used were randomly assigned to groups of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which concentrate was supplemented at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9% of their weekly live weight, respectively. There were four grasscutters per treatment. Results of the experiment showed that, grass crude protein, crude fibre and Metabolizable energy were; 9.25%, 31.00% and 2187.17 kcal/kg, respectively while concentrate had; 17.85% CP, 5.07% CF and 2720.92 ME kcal/kg, respectively. The grasscutters were fed grass and given water ad-libitum for the twenty week experimental duration during which their performance and economic analysis were evaluated. Experimental diets promoted growth parameters measured with the best at 5% but depressed at 9% level. Average daily feed intake had a range of 92.98-148.76 g while average final weight range was 1392.50-2335 g. The economy analysis showed that, the estimated net revenue was the highest at 5% ¦ 1579.23 and lowest at 1% ¦ 674.52. It can be concluded that, elephant grass can be supplemented with 5% concentrate feeding regime in the feeding of grasscutter and not excess of it.

Keywords: Grasscutter, Growth Performance, Concentrate, Elephant grass, Economic production