Effect of Whole Cassava Root and Yam Tubers on Performance of Grasscutter (Thryonomusswindarianus) Held in Captivity

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of whole cassava root and yam tubers on performance of grass cutter. Twenty-seven young male grass cutter (Thyrononysswindarianus), 5-7 months old with an average body weight of679.00±1.95g were used in a completely randomized design experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Animals were groupedto three groups with nine animals per group, balanced for body weight (680.20.20± 1.80g, 678.50± 2.15g and 679.00± 1.90g) and designated as Gl, G2, and G3 groups respectively. Grass cutter in Gl was fed 200g/h/d of pelleted growers mash, G2 was offered 100g/h/d of pelleted growers mash and 200g/h/d of cassava tuber while G3 was served 100g/h/d of pelleted growers mash and 200g/h/d of fresh yam tuber. Fresh water was provided without restriction during the time of the trial. The results showed that crude protein and ash contents of the diet Gl, and G3 diets decreased compared to Gl diet. Dry matter and ether extract decrease in diet G2 to G3 compared to G1, while crude fibre and nitrogen free extract increased in G2 group compared to G1 and G3 groups and oxalate increased in G3 compared to G1 and G2 while Tanin % increase in G2 compared to G1 and G3 respectively. Dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, weight gain and growth rate were higher (P<0.05) in G2 animals compared to G3 and G1 respectively. These results suggested that whole cassava roots and yam tubers can be included in grass cutter diet without any adverse effects on animals. However, cassava rooted-based diet improved performance of grass cutter held in captivity.