Effects of Feeding System (Pelleted Diet vs. Forage-based diet) on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)
K. J. B. Alla *
Animal Physiology and Production Research Unit, Environment, Climate, Health, Engineering and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University of Korhogo, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Y. M. Yapi
Laboratory of Animal Science and Animal Production, Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY National Polytechnic Institute, Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
K. S. Kouadio
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
M. Kimsé
Animal Production Research Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Nangui ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
D. Soro
Animal Production Research Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Nangui ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effects of a pelleted diet, compared with a forage-based diet supplemented with concentrate, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and technological properties of meat in captive grasscutters.
Study Design: Completely randomised controlled feeding trial.
Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Animal Science and Animal Production, Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY National Polytechnic Institute, Yamoussoukro, between September 2018 and January 2019.
Methodology: Eighteen weaned male grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus; 45 ± 7 days old; 528 ± 190g) were randomly assigned to a pelleted diet (growing: 19% ADF; finishing: 17% ADF) or a forage-based diet supplemented with concentrate (n = 9 per treatment). Animals were reared individually until six months of age. Growth performance, carcass traits, and technological properties of meat were assessed after slaughter.
Results: Grasscutters fed the pelleted diet had a significantly higher final body weight (2,693g), exceeding that of the forage-fed group by 968g, and a greater average daily gain during the finishing phase (17g/day; P = .01). The pelleted diet significantly increased hot (2,172g), chilled (2,155g), and commercial carcass weights (2,109g) (P ≤ .002), as well as the weights of the forequarter (506g), loin (444g), and hindquarter (833g) (P < .001). Dressing percentage (80.7%), net carcass yield (92.3%), commercial carcass yield (78.4%), meat proportion (92.0%; P = .04), and muscle-to-bone ratio (11.7; P = .02) were also higher, whereas cooking loss was lower (15.4%; P = .03).
Conclusion: A complete pelleted diet improved growth performance, carcass traits, and technological properties of meat in growing grasscutters. This feeding strategy could shorten the fattening period and improve the productivity of grasscutter farming systems.
Keywords: Thryonomys swinderianus, pelleted diet, forage, growth performance, carcass characteristics