Meat Quality and Economic Analysis of Grasscutter (Thyronomys Swinderianus) Fed Mixture of Spear Grass and Sweet Potato Peels Supplemented with Moringa Oleifera Leaves
Okoruwa, M.I.; Esobhawan, A.O.; Adomeh, E.E.; Ikheloa, E.E.

Abstract
The study was conducted to assess the meat quality and economic analysis of grasscutter fed mixture of spear grass and sweet potato peels supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaves. Eighteen grasscutters with average weight of 1.00+0.23kg and aged between 2 and 3 months old were assigned to three dietary treatments with six animals per treatment in a complete randomized design. The compared diets were: Diet I (spear grass and fresh sundried sweet potato peels with concentrate), Diet II (spear grass and parboiled before sundried sweet potato peels with concentrate) and Diet III (spear grass and soaked before sundried sweet potato peels with concentrate). The combination of spear grass and sweet potato peels with concentrates were given to grasscutter in proportion of 30:50;20 respectively. 8 grams of moringa leaves powder was also supplemented to each of the three diets. Results showed that loin cooking loss (18.33%), average feed intake (11.06g/day), feed cost/kg grasscutter (N987.40), feed cost/kg weight gain (N206.09) and production cost/grasscutter (N1600.00) were significantly (P<0.05) highest with grasscutter on Diet I compared to those on other diets. Grasscutter on Diet II had the highest (P<0.05) in live-weight (5960.00g), dressed weight (4089.12g), dressing percentage (68.61%), loin chop weight (85.00g), loin cooking yield (83.53%), overall acceptability (6.73), average weight gain (790.00g), revenue/grasscutter (N2980.00) and gross margin (N1780.00). No significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in flavour, tenderness and juiciness. It is concluded that Diet II (spear grass and parboiled before sundried sweet potato peels with concentrate that was supplemented with moringa) improved meat quality and economic analysis of grasscutter.

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