EFFECT OF FEED TYPES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GRASSCUTTER (THRYONOMYS SWINDERIANUS) IN UYO AKWA IBOM STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

In Nigeria, human population growth is increasing at a geometrical progression and the demand for food is equally growing higher about 3% while increase in food production is between 1.0 – 1.5% leaving a short fall of 1.5 – 2% in annual food supplies between plant and animal sources; with plant contributing over 75% and animals accounting for the remaining 25% (Omeje, 2011; FAO, 2011; IFAD, 2011; Akpabio, 2012). This is simply due to poor and inadequate development of agricultural sector. Livestock production is an integrated economic activity, which contributes about 10% of Nigeria’s agricultural Gross Domestic products (GDP) (Omeje, 2011; NBS, 2012). Livestock plays a major role in the socio- economic development of the nation. It is observed that, about 65% of the nations’ population of over 140 million are engaged in agriculture and livestock industry as one of the major occupations (World Bank, 2007; Ikala, 2010; Juma, 2011). Livestock industry is considered a vital economic venture providing food and employment to millions of people.

The growing demand for products of animal origin as a result of increase in population has increased the disposable part of the income of consumers and lifestyle aspirations, especially in the expanded urban areas.  The conventional farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, fowl and pigs have been favoured and so captured in government programmes aimed at assisting farmers to improve breeding and increase production. Whereas a substantial percentage of animal protein for people is derived from small animals or what is commonly referred to as micro-livestock such as grasscutter (Hardouin, Thrys, Joris and Fielding, 2003).

In this study, micro-livestock refers to rabbits, bush rodents, bees, snails, guinea pigs and other small animals. Some small animal species including notably the rabbit and guinea pigs could be domesticated and raised for economic reasons. Currently the search for cheap source of animal protein by people in developing countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun is enormous because of the short supply of the conventional livestock which the consumers are so bored with or tired of.  Many domesticated meat like chicken, beef, pork and fish have been utilized to meet up with the high demand for protein source over the years. In recent times attention has been shifted to micro-livestock.

The rearing of invertebrate and smaller vertebrate like grasscutters, guinea pigs, African giant rat, quail, and snails is receiving great attention. Akwa Ibom state is richly blessed with a variety of animal protein sources, but the problem is that the requirements of Akwa Ibom people, judging from the fact that most Akwa Ibom people consume less than 10g of animal protein daily as against the minimum requirement of 28g/day as prescribed by the World Health organisation (Nsa and Ikot, 2013). Nsa and Ikot observed that, this is below the World health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended minimum intake as a result of short supply. Furthermore, Food and Agricultural Organisation gives daily protein requirements of an average adult as 65g/day and of this amount, 35g is expected to be of animal origin. Egbewande (2010) reported that in Nigeria, the available protein is given at 45g/day with animal protein accounting for 8g/day, representing a shortfall of about 77% in animal protein recommended by World Health Organisation.

The importance of adequate protein intake in term of quality and quantity in the nutrition of man cannot be over emphasized. Thus, there is need to increase the level of animal production awareness in Akwa Ibom state in order to make animal protein affordable to the general public.  Animal protein supply can only be increased if the potentials of micro-livestock such as snail, grasscutter, giant rats among others can be exploited when reared and managed under intensive system of production. Micro-livestock production efforts may be rewarded and the animal protein needs in Akwa Ibom state ameliorated by improving the existing conservation programme particularly the protection of rodents and other small animals that are prolific and widely acceptable to the public for consumption. And whereas, this is a long term projection, effort should be geared toward individual approach to saving this important group of livestock from extinction through domestication. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources through the Department of Livestock, Agricultural Development Programme and Agricultural Research Institute can embrace and adopt the husbandry of grasscutter through awareness creation on grasscutter farming skills, stimulating students interest in grasscutter farming as a vocation, ensuring adequate inculcation of theoretical knowledge for grasscutter practice, introduction of grasscutter farming families through pilot project among others in Akwa Ibom State.

 Plate 1: GRASSCUTTER (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Grasscutter is a robust animal with short tails, small ears and stocky body. There are two common species- the large (Thryonomys swinderianus) that are used in this study weighing up to 9kg or more with a head to body length of up to 60cm. The smaller specie (Thryonomys gregorianus) may occasionally reach 8kg and a body length of 50cm. They both have yellow- brown to grey- brown bodies with whitish bellies. The fur is coarse and firm. Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) otherwise known as cane rat belongs to the family of rodents in the order rodentia and is the second largest rodent group in Africa, after porcupine (Mensah and Okeyo, 2005). The type of grasscutter housing is determined by the purpose of production and the finance at the disposal of the farmer. Grasscutter houses are constructed to accommodate a large number of the animals taking into consideration the fact that they reproduce very rapidly. Floor housing, open cage and close-cage housing systems have been identified (Ikpeze and Ebenede, 2004). Ikpeze and Ebenede reported that, an enclosure and deep-litter systems for rearing grasscutter have been recommended. An enclosure system could be a 1m high fenced wall topped with 1.2m high wire fence, in which cassava, potatoes, maize, and grasses may be grown in a mimic wild environment.  Hollow tree trunks could be provided to serve as grasscutter hideouts. This is called semi-intensive system which may provide conditions close to the free-range system of rearing in the wild. With the deep-litter systems, a fenced wall of 1.2m high topped with 1.4m high wire fence could be used. Grasscutter farming is a relatively new venture as a recognized animal husbandry in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general but has been practiced in many other west African countries such as Ghana, Republic of Benin, Togo, Cote d’  ivoire and many other central African countries. The importance of grasscutter and its farming in alleviating socio-economic problems has called for agricultural extension education services and practices in a wider area.

Grasscutter meat is a delicacy, very preferred and perhaps the most expensive meat in Akwa Ibom state and other southern states of Nigeria. There is no taboo against the rearing and consumption of grasscutter meat. The meat quality of grasscutter competes and compares favourably with other domesticated livestock species. Owen and Dike (2012) reported that grasscutter meat has low cholesterol, fat contents and its meat also contains amino acids such as methionine, tryptophan, and lysine. The protein contents of grasscutter meat ranges between 19% and 23% and compares with that of beef (19.35%), mutton (16.80%), pork (19.25%), and rabbit (24.7%). The economic potential of grasscutter production is high within the Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria in general and its mature live weight may be between 5 to 10kg with an average dressing percentage of 6.5% (Akpan, Wogar, Effiong, and Akpanenua, 2009). A comparison of various meats from other domesticated livestock species can be seen in appendix C. It shows that grasscutter meat has 22.7% protein, rabbit 21.0%, beef 19.6%, mutton 17.2%, pork 15.1%, chicken 19.2% and snail 20.7%. This shows that grasscutter meat is healthy and has high nutritive value for human consumption especially those suffering from heart ailment (Okon and Ibom, 2010).

The underlying factor of grasscutter production is feeding which constitute about 70-80% cost of production and relates to the growth of the animal. Feed is any soluble materials that after ingestion by the animals are capable of being digested, absorbed and utilized in the blood stream of animals for metabolic activities. In a more general sense nutritionists use the word ‘feed ‘to describe edible materials. Feed quality is particularly a major factor that affects the success or otherwise of animal production. Animals depend upon plants for their feeds and consequently a study of animal nutrition must of necessity begin with the plant organs and their influence on growth performance of animals. It is only through proper feeding with the relevant plant organs that the animal will perform in terms of growth and development besides the genetic and other environmental factors.

Grasscutter as an herbivore feeds on a wide variety of plant materials of fresh and dry forages, but tends to show a high preference for elephant grass (Pennisetum perpurum) and guinea grass (Panicum maximum).  Feeding in grasscutter can take the form of basal feeding. Basal feeds are those natural feed used in feeding animals. Examples of basal feeds for grasscutter are: elephant grass, guinea grass, paspalon, fresh maize stalk and cobs, sugar cane, pineapple leaves and crown, fresh palm fronts, cassava roots, unripe tomato, sweet potato, cucumber and agricultural by-product.

FAO (2010) observed that balance ration is necessary to provide the animal with proper amount of nutrients needed at a particular growth stage. The feeds should be palatable to the animals and not cause any serious digestive disturbance. Grasscutter have the ability to utilize high fibrous and cellulose materials more than poultry. Raising grasscutter on forages and agricultural by-products as source of feed would be advantageous over conventional livestock (poultry) because of the unique physical, physiological and economic benefit. There is enough scientific evidence to proof that the leaf portion of grass is more nutritious. Leafiness in pasture plants is commonly associated with forage quality because there is usually a positive correlation between leaf percentage in a given plant species and protein, mineral composition and dry matter digestibility (Amata, 2010).

Leaves meals in the diet of animals have shown significant growth responses by animals fed with such meals. Such meals have shown to yield relatively higher levels of crude fibre, protein and minerals and lower crude fibre levels than tropical grasses. They are generally accepted as feedstuff in livestock diet and considered non- conventional feed stuff. This has brought a growing realization in the use of leaf meals in the diet of livestock. Amata, reported that non- conventional feedstuffs compared favourably well with some conventional feed materials. The response of grasscutter to different feed types varies with quality and quantity of protein contents. The chemical composition of feed gives an indication of their nutrient contents, while the digestibility provides estimates of the nutrients available to the animal. Feed accounts for the growth (good or poor) of all living things and their ability to resist diseases as well as their nutritive value but the source and availability all year round is very important to the farmers in addition to the adaptability of micro-livestock to domestication. This requires experimentation in order to have empirical evidences to prove or refute earlier facts and opinions.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Recently, the government of Akwa Ibom state, through the Agricultural Development Programme and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been working on projects to promote micro-livestock farming (Grasscutter, snailery, bee-keeping and rabbitary) in rural communities in the state. . Over the years, the demand for cheaper unconventional protein source has been met through indiscriminate harvesting of biological resources of either plants or animals origin in Akwa Ibom State and beyond. Grasscutters consumed in West Africa are mainly from the wild because of inadequate domestication of the animal. This approach to sourcing protein has generated unpleasant consequences on both the ecosystem and human race. The consequences are usually negative and uneconomical. The indiscriminate sourcing has been done by the use of chase- dogs, hunting with guns, or by bush burning which mainly results in bush fires. Also human activities on the environment have impacted on the existence of grasscutter because of chemical pollution and urbanization. Grasscutter is intended to be introduced as a domesticated animal. The main objective of this is to provide alternative sources of income to farmers and increase farmers’ and the consumers’ access to and utilization of animal protein for dietary needs. In the natural habitat, grasscutters multiply by themselves, but high demand for the meat has resulted in a decline in their numbers. Due to human demand of this meat, the future availability of grasscutter meat through the wild state as well as its sustainability is threatened on account of disturbances to natural habitats.

The search for good quality feed for captive grasscutters all year round necessitated the present study where the feeding values of feeds from locally available feedstuffs were assessed on the basis of growth performance. Most grasscutter farmers feed their animals with all kinds of feedstuffs in such a manner without considering the contribution to the growth and development. Leaves, fruits, roots and tubers have been given to grasscutters in captivity in a mixture form, but this makes it difficult to measure the growth performance attributed to a particular feed type. Using a particular type of feed to feed grasscutter may facilitate growth and indicate their contributions to the over- all performance of the animals. In Akwa Ibom State, a greater percentage of bush meat supply is from the northern part of Cross River State, where there is natural forest that can sustain game animals. In recognition of the short supply, the idea of captive rearing in the form of ex-situ conservation to improve the quantities and quality of animal protein availability was considered.

It is evident that except there is improvement in the feeding and rearing of grasscutter and other micro-livestock in general, Akwa Ibom State will continue to depend on the protein source from macro-livestock which most incidentally comes from northern Nigeria. Citizens of the state may experience malnutrition resulting from less consumption of protein as required by the body among her citizens in the long run if the supply of macro-livestock is threatened by economic, social, political or natural factors.  Therefore, it becomes imperative to determine the effect of feed types on growth performance of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) in order to recommend same to institutions of learning and grasscutter farmers in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of feed types on growth performance of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Specifically the study sought to:

1. determine the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
2. compare the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
3. determine the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
4. compare the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
5. determine the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
6. compare the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
7. determine the difference between the body length of grasscutter fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
8. compare the difference between the body length of grasscutter fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
9. determine the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
10. compare the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
11. determine the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutter fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).
12. compare the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutter fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

1.4       Significance of the Study

Nigeria in general and Akwa Ibom State in particular is in dire need of how to enhance food security, alleviate poverty, promote self reliance and provide answer to the question posed by Onwudike (2010). The question states “Who will give us meat to eat?” Grasscutter farming is hoped to become an increasing source of protein meat and means of employment opportunities to many people. The findings of this study would be of benefit to farmers, government workers, consumers, hunters, environmentalist, job seekers, education curriculum planners, students and researchers. The information on the feed requirements of grasscutter is important to enable grasscutter farmers provide the animal with feed that could promote good health and also perform maximally in terms of growth and productivity better than the grasscutter in the wild.

The findings of this study would be of benefits to grasscutter farmers and the intending ones in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general. It is hoped that grasscutter farmers, the intending ones and those who would want to take up as a hobby would be exposed to various feeds available for grasscutter and those that would promote fast growth. It would also increase their knowledge on utilization and formulation of feeds that are palatable to the animals. This could be observed through the level of feed consumption by the animals. The findings, would afford grasscutter farmers the opportunity to identify where and recognize how to source for feeds that would promote growth rather than feeding indiscriminately. This would be achieved through incorporating the suggestions that would be made to their practices. This ultimately would bring down the cost of grasscutter production. Farmers would also benefit as their after harvest/processing products would be used to feed grasscutter instead of being wasted. Shortage of grasscutter supply would be reduced as many farmers would go into its production. This would bring down the cost of table meat.

The findings of the study would be of benefit to the staff of Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme in the drive to solving unemployment problem among youth. This would be done by encouraging youth to engage in grasscutter farming through the technology transferred to farmers in the field by the Agricultural Extension staff. The study would also be of benefit to the consumers of grasscutter meat. This would be through all year round availability of grasscutter meat because of fast growth and increase in the number of farmers engaged in grasscutter farming as a result of availability and knowing the feeds that can help achieve high productivity. Also the findings of this study would highlight the importance of body measurements of meat animals in determining the quantity of the meat and identifying basic indicators of good stocks. The findings of this study would ensure that productivity can be controlled and improved in grasscutter farming. This is possible through rearing the grasscutter in captivity where the growth could be monitored by the farmers. The findings would also ensure that breeding stock is readily available. This would be possible by the domestication of good stock of grasscutter which may be used for further breeding. This can be achieved by observing characteristics of the grasscutters that are good in terms of body weight, body length, and hind leg length.

The study would be relieve to hunters as they would be encouraged to raise grasscutter in captivity with the available feed types and the fear on “ebola disease virus” transmitted by animals in the wild would be alleviated. The findings of the study would reduce risks associated with environmental exploitation in relation to wildlife protection. Above all, the study would reduce dependence on and over exploitation of the forest resources and reduce bush fire threats which grasscutter hunting poses to the environment.  This would be through the full scale domestication of grasscutter with the available feed types.

Also grasscutter farming would create job to the teaming youth who are interested in farming to embark on. The findings would form parts of the suggestions or recommendations to Educational Curriculum Planners to include the domestication of micro livestock such as grasscutter and Heliculture in the School curriculum of studies. Finally researchers would find the findings useful for further study in other areas of research.

1.5       Research Questions

The following research questions were raised in the study:

1. What is the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
2. What is the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
3. What is the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
4. What is the difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
5. What is the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
6. What is the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with fresh sweet yellow potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
7. What is the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
8. What is the difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
9. What is the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
10. What is the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
11. What is the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?
12. What is the difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)?

1.6       Null   Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance in this study.

Ho₁      There is no significant difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)

Ho₂        There is no significant difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₃   There is no significant difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₄    There is no significant difference between the body weight of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₅     There is no significant difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)

Ho₆        There is no significant difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₇   There is no significant difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₈   There is no significant difference between the body length of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₉    There is no significant difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with elephant grass (EG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC)

Ho₁₀      There is no significant difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₁₁  There is no significant difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with maize residues (MR) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

Ho₁₂   There is no significant difference between the hind leg length of grasscutters fed with guinea grass (GG) and those fed with concentrate (PKC).

1.7       Delimitation of the study

This study was delimited to grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) farming in Akwa Ibom State. The focus of the study was on the effect of five feed types namely: elephant grass (EG), fresh yellow sweet potato leaves (SPL), maize residues (MR), guinea grass (GG) and concentrate (PKC) on growth performance of grasscutter. It was delimited to the following growth parameters: body weight, body length and hind leg length. These feeds were used in feeding the animals for 240 days (8 months)