Growth and Reproductive Performance of Grasscutter Does with Litter Fed Varying Levels of Cassava-based Energy Diet

Aim: To determine the performance of grasscutter does with litter fed cassava-based energy diets.
Study Design: The Completely Randomized Design was used in this study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study, which lasted for 12 weeks, between March 2014 and June 2014, was carried out at the Grasscutter Research Unit, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Methodology: Sixteen 13-months old grasscutters with litter were randomly allotted in groups of four to four treatment diets. The four experimental diets, each containing 18% crude protein, also supplied respectively 2000, 2200, 2400 and 2600 kcalME/kg. Weights of grasscutter does ranged from 3024.21 to 3054.23 g. Litter sizes ranged from 4 to 5 pups per litter, while the weights of pups ranged from 144.21 to166.22 g. Animals were supplied experimental diets, water and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ad libitum. Animals were weighed one day after parturition (i.e. after 4 weeks of adaptation), and every two weeks thereafter. Data collection commenced one day after kindling.
Results: Significantly (PË‚0.05) higher intake of forage (534.21 g), forage dry matter (63.44 g), experimental diet (340.23 g) and total feed intake (403.41 g), as well as significantly (PË‚0.05) higher daily weight gain of grasscutter pups (13.80 g/day), weaning weight of pups (729.21 g), and combined weight gain of does and litter (3.80 g) were recorded in the 2400 kcalME/kg diet group than in the other diet groups. Weight loss (-11.92 g/day) was significantly (PË‚0.05) higher in the 2200 kcalME/kg diet group than in the other diet groups. The Average daily cost of feeding grasscutters with the experimental diet increased significantly (PË‚0.05) with increase in the dietary energy. The average daily cost of diet per grasscutter was significantly (PË‚0.05) lower (13.34k) in the 2000 kcalME/kg diet group than in the other diet groups.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the best growth and reproductive performances were obtained when grasscutter does and their litters were fed cassava-based 2400 kcalME/kg diet.