Grasscutter Nutrition.

Its been a long time I uploaded more stuffs on grasscutter. . . .well it was due to seminar pressures and consulting.

Feeding the grasscutter is not as difficult as many people think because they feed mostly on plant stems and tubers.

List of common grasscutter foods

Maize

Cassava

Ugwu Vegetable stem

Unripe Pineneapple fruit

and lots more!

PICTURE OF THE GRASSCUTTER HOUSING

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MESH WIRED HOUSING FOR THE GRASSCUTTER.
OTHER PICTURES WILL BE UPLOADED NEXT WEEK!

THE GRASSCUTTER HOUSING

WEEK 2


THE GRASSCUTTER HOUSING

The grasscutter housing is one of the major parts in the project of its rearing. Unlike the
rabbit or guinea pig, ordinary plank cannot be used for its housing because of its ability
to chop planks into pieces through its incissor teeth.

The location of the grasscutter house must not be a lousy or a dirty environment in order to
avoid stress and sickness.

There are two types of Housing:


1. Hutch: This is made of cement blocks or clay. It permanently fixed and cannot be
moved around. It not expensive to build and easy to maintain.

2. Cage: This is made from wire mesh or iron rods. It can be moved around. It is
expensive and easy to clean.


Both types of houses can be built in layers i.e 2 or 3 layers like a battery cage in order
to optimise space.


CAGE DIVISION

1. Colony Cage: This type of cage is used for rearing grasscutter in groups.
A colony = 4/5 Does + 1 bulk

2. Individual Cage: For rearing grascutters individually. i.e single house



MEASUREMENT FOR COLONY CAGES


L x W x H = 2x1x0.40 METRE
dOOR= H x W = 28.0x25.0 CM



MEASUREMENT FOR INDIVIDUAL CAGES



L x W x H = 0.5x0.45x0.30 METRE
dOOR= H x W = 18x18 CM

2 doors of each size is recommended on eacy side for easy stock taking and cleaning.



In our next post, we will continue our discussion on Grasscutter Nutrition. till
then, keep learning and remember to leave a comment!

WEEK 1

GRASSCUTTER (THRYONOMYS SWINDERIANUS)

INTRODUCTION

The grasscutter also known as Cane Rat belongs to thefamily of Rodentia where we have

Giant rats, rabbits, guinea pig, squirrel, porcupine etc. It lives in the savannah grasslands and

cultivated lands where it is hunted for food, most especially in Africa. The animal has a unique way of

feeding with its two hands which inserts the food into the incisor teeth in an automatic way thereby

producing a needle like sound.A well fed Buck as the male is called can weigh up to10kg which can be

compared to the size of an average he-goat. The Doe, female grasscutter also weigh 4 – 5kg averagely

with the ability to give birth to 5 -8 fries (young grasscutter) per birth. Grasscutter is a Bush meat that is

respected and loved by all due to its succulent delicacies/taste and this makes the animal to be a special

treat for people. No wonder it’s a bit expensive to purchase. Presently, the animal has being domesticated

so that without game hunting, you can rear it either on a commercial scale or subsistence depending on

your reason for venturing. Due to the polygamous nature, the animal can be divided into colonies of 4 does

and a buck. The buck has the ability to satisfy the sexual libido of the Does to pregnancy.

WHY GRASSCUTTER ?

The grasscutter is preferred to other animals becauseof the following:

1. Since it is regarded as a delicacy, there is high demand for the meat. This sees the farmers smiling to the bank always.

2. It is accepted by all. No religious or cultural taboo.

3. The droppings/faeces can be used as manure forplants.

4. A doe gives birth 2 times a year to minimum of 6 fries per birth thereby providing quick opportunityfor expansion.

5. It is an herbivore i.e it can feed on almost all grasses.

6. It requires a minimum start up capital.

EQUIPMENTS NEEDED IN A GRASSCUTTER FARM

1. Feeder ( Water and Food)

2. Catcher ( Holding cage for transferring the animal from one cage to the other).

3. Transport cage.

4. Shovel for packing the faeces and waste.

5. Big water bowl for rinsing, washing and changingwater in the feeder.

6. Broom for general cleaning of the grasscutterenviron.

In our next week post, we shall continue ourdiscussion on grasscutter where we will talk fully on:

a. The Grasscutter housing

b. Nutrition

c. Reproduction in Grasscutter

d. Hygienes

e. General management

f. How to turn your Grasscutter farm into a goldmine.

As we sign out for this week, remember that feedbacks are welcome and till next week, never relent in learning more.

OLA JACOBS( AGRIBIZ CONSULTANT OF 20 YEARS)

WELCOME MESSAGE TO ALL VIEWERS OF ANIMAL AND PLANGT WORLD

THE EARTH INHABITS OVER 17 MILLION SPECIES OF
CREATURES!


Plant and Animal is a blog where everyone can learn,

contribute and research about plants and animals most

especially the ones that are of primary use to man.


Whether you are a farmer, researcher, student,

consultant, freelance browser or surfer, you are all

welcome as you explore the wonders of different plants

and animals under the earth.


Please feel free to leave a comment!


As there are many areas to cover, we have to do a

comprehensive and explicit analysis of each topic so

that no one will be lost on the way.


The following domesticated Plants and Animals would be

covered one after the other in a subsequent manner

before moving to the wild lives.


ANIMALS PLANTS

GRASSCUTTER MAIZE
SNAILERY ORANGE
TURKEY COCONUT
RABBIT PLAINTAIN
GUINEA PIG CASSAVA
FISHERY (AQUA) YAM
DOG SUGAR CANE
PIG COCOA



For the benefit of those that might be too busy to go

through the blog weekly, you can ORDER for your

complete e-manual on any of the above animals and

plants for just $75 or its equivalent by mailing:

agricbiz08@yahoo.com
Telephone:+2348024666799