Important Tips For Grasscutter Farming Business

Grasscutter Farming (Bush Meat)

Thryonomys swinderianus which is commonly known as Grasscutter is a monogastric (having one-stomach compartment) micro livestock whose breeding is gaining popularity around the globe. 

Grasscutters are nocturnal animals (very active at night) and they live in small groups usually headed by a single alpha male. They make nest from grasses and burrow underground for safety. 

Grasscutter has a life span of about 3-4 years with the adult male having a live weight of about 3-6kg and the female; 3-4kg.

The habitat of grasscutter is constantly changing as humans increasingly expand in civilization. Grasscutter meat popularly known as bush meat is highly sorted after in Africa and in other parts of the world thus commercial breeding of grasscutter is inevitable as bush meat demand keeps increasing in the market. 

The reason for the increasing demand of grasscutter meat (bushmeat) could be its distinguishing taste and the fact that it is highly acceptable across religion and cultural ties around the globe. 

It is believed that 1kg of grasscutter meat can cost about 12 times that of cow meat (beef), 10 times that of goat meat (chevon), and 8 times that of chicken.

Grasscutter farming is a reliable and profit-oriented agribusiness that any farmer can combine with other farming practices for optimization and maximization. Grasscutters are harmless and can easily be controlled when compared to other larger livestock. 

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Grasscutter housing/pen

Housing is an integral part of any animal rearing and production. Grasscutter cannot be reared extensively as they may likely escape therefore causing loss to the farmer. 

Intensively, grasscutter pen/house, trenches, and cages are used for their breeding and production. 

Generally, in the construction of cages/hutches; the sides and floors should be made of strong wire mesh. The dimension of the cage is usually about 1.8m, 0.6m, and 0.45m in length, width, and height respectively. 

A sliding galvanized tray should be installed under each unit for easy collection and disposal of feces and urine.

Though cages are preferable, housing can be specially designed and built for the grasscutter with a rooftop containing wood with wire hutches/mesh. 

The floor should be made of concrete with a depth of about 20cm. The floor should be covered with dry soft grasses to protect the feet of the animals. 

The housing must be well fitted with feeding troughs and drinkers. A small opening can be made across demarcation/apartments in the house to allow movement of the grasscutter. Transfer cages can also be made available for easy transfer and transportation.

NOTE: It is important to know that grasscutter does not like sleeping the same place where they eat thus special consideration should be made either in the cage or pen/house to demarcate the feeding area from the playing area and sleeping area.

Grasscutter lives as a colony and two mature males do not live together in the same colony (one may end up dead as a result of fighting for superiority).

A colony usually comprises of a mature male, three to four females, and their offspring. The farmer must do well to separate each colony when building/constructing a grasscutter cage and pen.

Natural enemies

Snakes and soldier ants are the two most dangerous natural predators (enemies) to grasscutters. Thus their cages and pen must be built or constructed in a way that the grasscutter is kept safe from these enemies. 

Black engine oil can be poured around the cage and pen to prevent the invasion of soldier ants, especially during the raining seasons.

Other natural enemies of grass cutters include; human thieves, scorpion etc.

Important Tips For Grasscutter Farming Business

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Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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