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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Research Article
Evaluation of the growth performance of grasscutter fed with a granular feed supplement based on stylosanthes guianensis in Benin
K. A. Edenakpo, G. S. T. Atchade, M. M. Ali, A. G. Bonou, D. Djimenou, M. K. M. Vignonzan, K. M. Tankpinou, S. C. B. Pomalégni, H. B. Dakpogan et G. A. Mensah
Year : 2026 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 94-99
Received on: 20/05/2026
Revised on: 12/06/2026
Accepted on: 20/07/2026
Published on: 01/09/2026
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K. A. Edenakpo, G. S. T. Atchade, M. M. Ali, A. G. Bonou, D. Djimenou, M. K. M. Vignonzan, K. M. Tankpinou, S. C. B. Pomalégni, H. B. Dakpogan et G. A. Mensah( 2026).
Evaluation of the growth performance of grasscutter fed with a granular feed supplement based on stylosanthes guianensis in Benin
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 11( 5), 94-99.
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Abstract
Feeding grasscutter with forage during the dry season is a major challenge due to the scarcity of forage during this period. This study aimed to develop a forage-based feed supplement available in all seasons and capable of improving the growth performance, particularly weight gain and feed conversion ratio, of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) raised in close captivity. Thus, 24 two-month-old grasscutter were divided into two completely randomized groups of four individuals each, with three replicates. Each grasscutter represented one experimental unit. Two (2) types of pellet rations were made : the control ration (R1) containing 8% dry matter of Moringa oleifera leaves (Protein: 15.12%) and the experimental ration (R2) containing 8% dry matter of Stylosanthes guianensis leaves (protein: 14.28%), both served as a supplement to green grass forage (Penisetum and Panicum) to the groups for seven weeks. The results showed that the grasscutter fed with ration R2 had significantly higher weight gain, reaching an average weight of 1,200 ± 1.31g at the end of the trial, compared to 750 ± 0.25g for those fed with ration R1. In addition, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower for ration R2 (FCR = 4.86 ± 1.15) compared to ration R1 (FCR = 7.02 ± 0.71), indicating a better feed efficiency of the Stylosanthes guianensis-based ration. These results suggest that the diet of post-weaning grasscutter can be effectively improved by incorporating 8% dry matter of Stylosanthes guianensis leaves into a pelletized feed supplement, resulting in a better growth performance in close captivity.
Keywords
Grasscutter breeding, Zootechnical performance, Dietary supplement, Moringa oleifera, Pellet feed.
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© The Author(s) 2026. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
