Performance, carcass and meat traits of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed diets of different protein sources in captivity

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of supplementing Soybean meal (SBM), Locust bean meal (LBM) and Melon seed meal (MSM) which are protein sources on performance, carcass and meat traits of grasscutters in captivity. A total of 30 grasscutters – 6 families of 24 females and 6 males weaners of age between 3 and 4 months of 600 to 680g weight range were used for this study. They were quarantined and raised in cages partitioned with wire mesh and necessary medications were given. Three iso-proteinous diets were prepared from fermented SBM, LBM and MSM with Basal diet as control and mixed with chopped cassava tubers dried to 12% moisture content and pelleted. The grasscutters were randomly allocated into 3 treatments diets and the control thus; T0 = Control, T1 = Diet with SB, T2 = Diet with LB and T3 = Diet with MS. They were fed for 124days with 150g of feed for 2 months and was increased to 250g for last four months, water was given ad-libitum. 12 animals were randomly selected, slaughtered and fabricated, meat samples were excised from leg cut for meat analysis. Data were analysed with ANOVA in a completely randomized experiment, significant means were separated at (p<0.05) with Duncan multiple range test. Performance, body morphometric, carcass profile, primal cuts, offals, meat physical, proximate and sensory characteristics values were higher (p<0.05) in T2 followed by T1 and least (p<0.05) in T3. Therefore, LBM was recommended for supplementing diets as a source of protein furnishing higher performance in grasscutters.