Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Grasscutter Production Traits. 1. Growth Traits

This study was conducted at the grasscutter section of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, to estimate effects of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Data consisted of records of 502 kids born from 136 does and 40 sires from 2006 to 2010. Feed intake increased (P<0.01) with increasing parity and years, whilst feed efficiency declined (P<0.01) with years. Animals consumed less (P<0.01) feed in the dry season compared to the rainy season. Increased litter size resulted in decreased body weight (P<0.01) and growth rate (P<0.05) from birth to six months, after which the effect diminished (P>0.05). Males were significantly heavier (P<0.05) and grew faster (P<0.01) than females from weaning to adulthood. Body weight and growth rate increased significantly with increasing years (P<0.05). Animals that were conceived in the rainy season had heavier (P<0.01) weights at sexual maturity and grew faster (P<0.01) than those conceived during the dry season and those that were born in the dry season grew faster (P<0.05) at the age of 4-8 months than those born in the rainy season. It was concluded that the non-genetic factors influenced the traits studied; so appropriate adjustments must be made when estimating genetic values for a breeding programme in grasscutter.