Evaluation of Unconventional Supplements to the Diet of Intensively Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad, West Indies

Abstract

A feed trial was carried out to evaluate potential unconventional feed resources such as Trichanthera gigantica and moruga hill rice (Oryza glaberrima) as a partial supplementation to the diet of adult male agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina). Supplemental feeding of the agouti will decrease feeding cost to produce this animal and aid in sustainable agricultural practices. Male agoutis were used as this physiological state was the easiest to attain as well as male animals are generally used for meat production. The trial consisted of 16 male agoutis that were allocated into four dietary treatments using a completely randomized experimental design. Four diet treatments were used in the experiment; treatment 1 (T1) was the positive control which consisted of rabbit ration whilst treatment 2 (T2) to 4 (T4) had different ratios of O. glaberrima, Trichanthera gigantica and Rabbit Ration. The feeding trial had 8-week duration. T2 consisted of 5% T. gigantica, 35% O. glaberrima supplemented for rabbit ration. T3 had 10% T. gigantica and 40% O. glaberrima supplemented for rabbit ration. T4 consisted of 15% Trichanthera and 45% O. glaberrima supplemented for rabbit ration in the diet. Proximate analysis showed that Dry Matter (DM) and Ash was highest in T4 and lowest in T2. Whilst ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP) were highest in T2 and lowest in T4. Crude fiber (CF) was highest in T3 and lowest in T2. The weights of the agoutis at the start of the experiment (2595 g–2971 g) were not significantly different to their final weight (2469–2762 g) (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference seen between treatments groups and weeks of the experiment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the interactions between treatment and weeks (p > 0.05). T1 and T2 were not significantly different (p > 0.05) with respect to average daily gain (−0.98 g/d, −1.61 g/d) and weight loss (55 g, 90 g). T2 can be used as an alternative feed source than rabbit ration (control diet) for adult male agoutis. As the final body mass of the male agoutis did not change with the inclusion of 40% Trichanthera and Moruga hill rice, this substitution can be used to maintain male agoutis before slaughter. However, higher amounts of supplements may be detrimental to this animal.