HERBAGE ACCEPTABILITY BY GRASS CUTTERS {Thryonomys swinderianus T.) IN DOMESTICATION PROCESS

Files

HERBAGE ACCEPT ABILITY BY GRASS CUTTERS IN DOMESTICATION PROCESS.pdf (1.01 MB)

Date

2011-10-12

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Abstract

Grass cutters could be reared in captivity to supplement the meat from livestock to boost animal protein intake by Nigerians. Since they are herbivores, they should not compete with man for grains and cereals to thrive in domestication hence, herbage acceptability trial was carried out. Browse trees herbages were harvested and offered as supplements to pineapple crown, cassava tubers and sugar cane as basal feeds. Time of fodder acceptance as well as level of intake was monitored. The results revealed that siam weed, bush tea and tridax were absolutely (0.0 g) rejected by the animals. They however nibbled at Christmas bush (5.67 g), black velvet (4.0 g), sheabutter (1.33 g) and wild custard apple (1.0 g). This discovery could encourage domestication of grass cutters to boost animal protein availability. More interestingly, the results would have provided hints and guides on browse plant utilization in grass cutters rearing, which they could not discover in the wild as subterranean animals that never climb.

Description

Article

Keywords

Browse, domestication, fodder, grass cutter

Citation

Akobundu, I. O. & Agyakwa, C. W. (1998). A NIMET (2009). Nigerian Metrological Agency, Synoptic Office, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. handbook of West African weeds, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, p. 564. NRC (1991). Microlivestock: Little-known small animals with a promising economic future. Vietmeyer Noel (ed). National Academy Press, Washington DC. Fayenuwo, J. O., Akande, M., Taiwo, A. A., Adebayo, A. O., Saka, J. O., Lawal, B. O., Tiamiyu, A. K. & Oyekan, P. O. (2003). Guidelines for grass cutter rearing. FGRAD/USAID/FMA&RD/IAR6T, SAS (2001). Statistical Analysis System users' guide Ibadan, pp 38. (5th edn.). SAS Institute Incorporation, Cary, NC., USA. Fayenuwo, J. O. & Akande, M. (2002). The economic importance and control of cane- Tewe, O. O., Ayodele, I. A., Agbelusi, E. A., rat ('Thryonomys swinderianus). Proc. 20th Vertebr. Pest Conf.: University of California, Davis, USA, pp 86 90. Meduna, A. J. & Ajayi, S. S. (1998). Biology, domestication and production of the grass cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Nigeria: National Agricultural Research Project Jayeoba, W. A., Akinyemi, O. I., Sodimu, A. I., Report, p. 52. Suleman, R. A. & Aguda, L. O. (2010). Animal breeding and genetics in wildlife conservation. Proc. 35th Conf. Nig. Soc. far Anim. Prod. UI, Ibadan, Nigeria, pp. 25 27.

URI

https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/2907

Collections

Articles