EVALUATION OF CORN COB ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GRASSCUTTER (THRYONOMYS SWINDERIANUS)

Abstract

This experiment was conducted at the livestock unit of the University for Development Studies (UDS) to determine the effect of corn cob on the performance of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus). A total twelve weaned grasscutters of about 6 to 8 weeks old were assigned to two treatments, T0 containing 0% corn cob (control) and T1 containing 15% corn cob (CC). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks during the dry season. Data on feed intake and weight gain were collected over the period. Feed and feacal samples were collected from each treatment and their proximate composition analysed at the Spanish Laboratory of the UDS. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two diets for crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), Feed intake and final weight gain of the animals on the corn-cob based diets were similar to those on the non-corn cob base diet. It is concluded that corn cob could be included up to 15% in grasscutter diet without any detrimental effect on digestibility.