The effect of concentrated feed supplementation regimes on the nutrients digestibility of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed Pennisetum purpureum as basal Feed.

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the effect of concentrated feed regimes on nutrients digestibility of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed Pennisetum purpureum as basal feed. A total of fifty grower Grasscutters were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups of 10 Grasscutters each with 5 replicates, two animals serving as a replicate. Treatment was 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%, respectively, of concentrated feed served at their weekly live weight. Parameters measured included apparent coefficient of digestibility and percentage digestible nutrients. The results obtained showed that the coefficient of digestibility showed a significant difference in all the nutrients evaluated. Percentage digestible nutrients and total digestible nutrients were also significantly affected. The high coefficient of digestibility of the various nutrients and total digestible nutrients are indications that adequate nutrients were available for growth and maintenance of the grasscutters. The findings of this study suggested that supplementation of forage with formulated concentrate can be an aid in the digestion of nutrients by grasscutters for their growth performance while in captivity. The digestibility of nutrients when concentrate supplement and elephant grass were combined, particularly 5% concentrate supplement was not affected. Based on the results, it was, therefore, recommended that it should be used in improving the growth performance of grasscutters.