Influence of three pellets based green fodders, products and by-products maize on the growth of bred grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Benin

Abstract

The study aims to assess on bred grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed with three type of pellets, the growth performances for 12 weeks. The pellets were based green fodders, products and by-products of maize, medicinal plants and other food ingredients. A total of 27 bred grasscutters aged 7 months were used and divided into three groups of 9 grasscutters with average live weight of 1928.4 ± 51.99 g; 2286 ± 59.52 g and 2077.6 ± 46.05 grespectively. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments (pellets) repeated three times.Each experimental unit consists of three individualgrasscutter.The results showed that the average final weight was2865,6 ± 63,96 g, 2818,8 ± 134.2 g and 2832.6 ± 93.73 grespectively for pellets 1, pellets 2 and pellets 3. Corresponding average weight gains were 937.2 ± 21.58 g, 532.80 ± 95.41 g and 755 ± 66.06 grespectivelyfor pellets 1, 2 and 3 with a significant difference (p<0.05). The highest average daily feed consumption (62.29 ± 1.80g) was recorded in animals fed with the pellets 1 with the best average daily gain (10.41 ± 0.24 g/day) followed by those fed with the pellets 3 (8.39 ± 0.73 g/day). A significant difference was obtained between theaverage daily gains of three groups of grasscutter (p<0.05). The pellets 1 could be used as a complete food for the sustainable production of grasscutters