Performance of Growing Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) Fed Cassava-Based Diets with Graded Protein Levels

Forages and crop residues are inexpensive and easily available feedstuffs for feeding grasscutters in captivity. These feedstuffs are nutritionally poor, not balanced for optimum performance and, therefore, required supplementation. Protein requirement of growing grasscutters was determined using thirty two 10-weeks old male grasscutters of equal weights. The grasscutters were separated into four groups and fed forage supplemented with concentrate diets, which differed in their protein contents of 8, 12, 16 and 20%, respectively but having the same energy level. Cassava root meal served as the main source of energy. The experiment, in a completely randomized design, lasted 10 weeks, during which feed intake and growth performance of the grasscutters were examined. Results showed that growing grasscutters were not significantly influenced by differences in the levels of crude protein in their diets. However, it appeared that grasscutters on the 12% crude protein diet ranked best in respect of feed intake and weight gain, while those on the 20% crude protein diet had the lowest feed intake and weight gain, but the best feed conversion ratio. The cost to gain ratio was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the diets. Also, the cost effectiveness of diets increased with increase in dietary crude protein. It is, therefore, concluded that though the effect of crude protein levels on feed intake and weight gain were not significantly different, the higher ranking in respect of these parameters on the 12% crude protein diet suggests that the optimum crude protein requirement for growing grasscutters on cassava-based diets is 12%.