Growth performance of grasscutters fed diets containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal and/or soybean meal

Abstract

A total of ninety six-week old grasscutters were used in a study conducted to investigate the growth performance of grasscutters fed diets containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and/or soybean meal (SBM). The ninety (90) grasscutters were randomly assigned to three experimental groups consisting of thirty (30) grasscutters each. The grasscutters were randomly assigned each to three experimental diets designated as follows: 15% MOLM, 15% SBM, and 10% MOLM + 10% SBM. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on growth performance during the period of the study which lasted for ten weeks including two weeks of acclimatization period. Results showed that grasscutters fed diet containing 10% MOLM+10% SBM had significantly (p < 0.05) higher performance indices than grasscutters on other treatment diets, except for feed conversion ratio, where grasscutters fed diet 1 (15% MOLM,) had the least FCR than grasscutters in other groups. Based on the results, the inclusion of MOLM and SBM at 10% levels each resulted in improved performance, and thus considered adequate for growth of grasscutters.

Key words: micro-livestock, captive, productivity, grasscutters, feeding