Seasonal variation effect on growth, body weights, reproductive characteristics of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of season on growth and reproductive performance of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus). The female grasscutters were randomly grouped into three (3) in a cage. Each group received one male for mating. The treatments for all the experimental animals were the three seasons of birth. The study was carried out for a period of seventeen months using 36 dams, 12 bucks and their 115 offspring fed. Basal diet of elephant grass was supplemented with 10 % crude protein concentrates.Completely Randomized Design was used and data collected was analysed using Generalised Linear Model (GLM) Type II procedure of SAS (2008). Results showed that season of birth had significant (P<0.05) effect on weaning weight, preweaning growth rate and litter weight at birth. Kids born in the dry season recorded highest (P<0.05) weaning weight, preweaning survival rate and litter weight at birth while those born in the major rains had significantly (P<0.05) lower weights. Pregnancy rate was highest (P<0.05) in dams mated in the minor rainy season. The highest (P<0.05) weight loss was at lactation was recorded in the dams that delivered in the dry season. This study concludes that season of birth is an important factor in breeding domesticated grasscutter.