Grasscutters (also known as cane rats) require a balanced diet for optimal growth, reproduction, and overall health. Their primary diet in the wild consists of grasses, but when raised in captivity, a formulated feed can supplement natural forage. Here's a guide to creating a balanced feed formula for grasscutters:
Basic Nutritional Requirements
- Crude Protein: 15–20%
- Crude Fiber: 12–18%
- Energy: 2400–2800 kcal/kg
- Minerals: Calcium (1.0–1.5%), Phosphorus (0.4–0.8%), and trace minerals.
- Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, and E are essential.
Sample Grasscutter Feed Formula (Per 100kg of Feed)
- Maize or Cornmeal (energy source): 40–50kg
- Wheat or Rice Bran (fiber and energy): 20–25kg
- Soybean Meal or Groundnut Cake (protein): 10–15kg
- Palm Kernel Cake (protein and fiber): 5–8kg
- Fish Meal (high-quality protein): 2–5kg
- Limestone (calcium): 1–2kg
- Bone Meal (phosphorus): 1–2kg
- Salt: 0.5kg
- Premix (vitamins and minerals): 0.5–1kg
Additional Notes
- Supplement with Forages: Grasscutters thrive on forages like elephant grass, guinea grass, sugarcane tops, and bamboo leaves. Ensure fresh forage is always available.
- Water: Provide clean and fresh drinking water at all times.
- Avoid Toxic Ingredients: Ensure the feed ingredients are free from mold, aflatoxins, or harmful chemicals.
- Pelletizing: Grasscutters prefer pellets over mash. If possible, process the feed into pellets for better intake and reduced wastage.
Optional Ingredients
- Molasses: Up to 5% to improve palatability.
- Brewers’ Dried Grains: As an alternative protein and energy source
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