A male and female grass cutters attains their sexual maturity at 5 and 7months respectively. A male grass cutter can be paired with 3-5females.There are two methods of mating -permanent and controlled mating Let Chat on profit sharing community website ....click here http://j.mp/Jlaws6 mammary are glands on the belly, while the male testes are not visibleexternally like other rodents.The total body length (head to end tail) ranged from 35 to 60cm and its taillength ranges from 7 cm to 25cm. MEAT QUALITIES AND USES
The meat qualities of the grass cutter compare favorably with those ofdomesticated livestock species. Mature live weight ranges from 5 to 8kg. Ithas an average dressing percentage of 65%. However with the consumption ofthe head an entrails this can reach 80%.
Grass cutter are robust animals with short tails, small ears and stocky body. The body is covered by spiny fur and round nose. Therefore pairs are adapted for holding and manipulating grass stalk or food while eating them. The spiny fur is yellowish brown while the belly is white.
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System of Production
Deeplitter system.
The Cage system (60cmX60cmX80cm)metal.
The Pen System.
Feed and Feeding
GRASSES-elephant grass, guinea grass, sorghum grass, sugar cane
LEGUME-beans, soya beans, pigeon pea.
TUBER-cassava, potatoes.
GRAINS-maize, rice.
FRUITS-pawpaw, mango, pineapple
Compound ration can be given to them grower mash in pellet form.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:In Ghana it has been ascertained that grass cutter contributes to both localand export earnings. About 73 tonnes of animals are sold in a year andrecent surveys show that is is the Grass cutter that dominates the bush meattrade.
Whatever be the choice of grass cutter farming embarked upon by farmer(breeding or fattening), provision of quality and adequate nutrition isessential to the success of each grass cutter rearing. Balanced feeding thattakes into consideration nutritional requirements and regularity of feeding Balanced feed can be found in a proportional mixture of the following feedingredients that are used in preparing the supplementary feed. Examples offeed ingredients include:.Maize/millet------------------ cassava.Brewers dried grain (BDG)-----Leucaena leucocephala .Groundnut cake(GNC)-----------Vitamin -mineral premixDISEASE MANAGEMENT.As said earlier, good hygiene practice reduces the risk of disease outbreakin grass cutters rearing. The most important disease in grass cutter rearinginclude the following: 1.ENTEROTOXAEMIA: This is caused by a bacterium clostridium perfringens. Theorganism produces toxins which are absorbed into the circulatory system ofthe grass cutters thereby causing moralities.The most obvious sign seen is the paralysis/ pedaling of the hind legs.Other signs are seen during post mortern. vaccine against this condition is available. Antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin) are used in thetreatment. It is useful to sprinkle some superphosphate on pen floorbi-monthly to break the development circle of clostridia orgamisms.
2.STAPHYLOCOCCAEMIA:-This is caused by a bacterium, staphylococcus Aurelius.Most of the signs of this disease are seen at post mortem but dischargesfrom the nostrils and vagina could be seen. Antibiotics are also employed inits treatment.3.COCCIDIOSIS:This is caused by organism of the Eimeria family. Symptoms ofthe disease include diarrhea, prostration e.t.c family are used in its treatment.4.WORM INFECTION:-This is caused by worms and can be gotten from the canegrass being fed to the grass cutter. This is why the cane grass must be putin the sum before being fed to the grass cutters in order for the larvae ofthe worms to destroyed. Regular deworming should be carried out.in the sum before being fed to the grass cutters in order for the larvae ofthe worms to destroyed. Regular deworming should be carried out.
5.ECTOPARASTES: e.g ticks. These could be introduced into the pens throughinadequately dried forage. Administration of Ivomec is used to controlticks. Chemical bath/dipping of the grass cutters could also be useful.
