Grasscutter Farming: Conclusion part (part 2)

Grasscutter Breeding and Reproduction

For a successful breed, you can get 1-2 male grasscutter for 10-15 female grasscutters and the male’s presence can trigger the female grasscutter ovulation.

Grasscutter Sexual maturity

This is when the grasscutter is ready for reproduction and breeding. For the male it can be from 8 months (32 weeks) at a lowest body weight of 2.5 kg. And For the female: 6.5 months (26 weeks) at a lowest body weight of 1.8 kg.

Grasscutter Gestation Period

This is the period of time the animals develops inside the mother’s body till it is born. After mating, be sure that the female grasscutter is pregnant. You can check this by using a little cotton buds or white cloth to clean the female grasscutter genitals; if it is reddish brown, then it’s pregnant , if it’s not, then it’s not pregnant. Normally, the gestation period takes up to 5 month approximately.

The possible number of litters per year

Litters are the sets offspring at one birth of an animal. Grasscutter in a year can give birth to two set of litters and each litters will consist of 3-6 young grasscutters.

You should know that young grasscutters, even when very small, already resemble fully grown adult grasscutter. They can move around easily within a few hours after delivery.  Make sure you provide their mother with enough supplementary food and also enough water that will aid in breast milking.

Grasscutter Weaning or suckling period

This is the act of breast feeding the young grasscutter. The normal period for weaning the young grasscutter should not be more than 40 days after birth; if extended, the mother grasscutter will begin to feel weak. During or after the weaning, the baby grasscutters should then be put in a separate pen or cage according to weights and sex.

Know that grasscutter’s pen should not be over crowded. A pen of young grasscutter should contain at least 10-15 grasscutters; remember according to weights and sex.

Selling your grasscutter

After your grasscutter has matured to a normal weight, then you can sell them according to your market price. Always remember to keep some for breeding which will aid in continuous reproduction.  That is how will be successful in your grasscutter farming business in Nigeria.

Other health managements care and issues that could occur in your grasscutter farming business in Nigeria.

Let’s quickly look at the other possible care and some issues which might occur when rearing grasscutter.

Pest and diseases that could affect your grasscutters

• You should always inspect your grasscutter always for any symptoms of sickness like social withdrawal, refusing to eat, coughing, soft or watery feces, any inflammation of the body part, dull looking etc.
• Always give them nutrients that will improve them and boost their immune system. A mixture of sugar and lemon can be mixed in their water if you noticed any signs of weakness or when they undergo stress. The mixture of sugar and lemon should be about 50 sugar lumps and two large glasses of pure lemon juice added to 20-25 liters of water.
• Always clean the pen or cage with bleach, detergent to disinfect it and make it clean.
• Always wash the feeding and drinking trough at least once a week to avoid the spreading of germs.
• Any dead grasscutter should be disposed off immediately.
• Separate the sick grasscutters from the healthy ones for close monitoring.
• Sometimes, you might want to administer some antibiotics to the grasscutter
• If possible, require the help of a veterinarian for assistant.
• Prevent the entrance of snake, rats or hawks which can be a predator to the growth of your grasscutters farming business in Nigeria.
• On handling the grasscutter- For young or light animal; it is lifted by the tail by holding at the base of the tail, then gently grab its back with the other hand. For a medium-sized animal; though it can be grabbed by the tail but it is best to grab it on the back with the other hand so that there is not too much weight on the tail. For heavy animal; it should be handled by means of the squeeze cage.
• Enough ventilation and normal temperature should be available in the room.
• Always ensure to keep a record of every number of grasscutter either dead or alive, the amount of food consumed, the amount of medication consumed. This will aid in recording your gain or profit.

A Short Feasibility Study On Grasscutter Farming

1 Colony = 5 grasscutters (1 male & 4 females) = ₦30,000

5 Colonies = 25 grasscutters = ₦150,000

Cage/Housing = ₦80,000 for 5 colonies

Feeding Cost = ₦40,000 per year

TOTAL = ₦300,000

Expected Income (Naira Value)

1 female gives birth to an average of 4 to 10 grasscutters within 6 months

5 females will give you an average of 20 to 50 grasscutters within 6 months

20 grasscutters x 5 colonies = 100 grasscutters within 6 months

In 1 year, you will be expecting at least 200 grasscutters

The grasscutters weigh between 6 to 10kg at maturity

Assuming you sell each for ₦5,000

₦5,000 x 200 = ₦1,000,000

Conclusion

Grasscutter farming is one of the often overlooked agribusinesses that turn in high revenues. With only about o.2% grown domestically out of about 80,000 tonnes of grasscutters consumed yearly in Nigeria, the opportunities for scale exceeds most farmers’ expectations.

If you’re unsure of an agribusiness to venture into, and you want something odourless, less expensive to run, and still highly profitable, grasscutter farming is a great bet for you.

Have something in mind that this calculation was carried out considering the worst case scenario. 

Imagine you selling your grasscutters above N5,000, let's say N7,000. This automatically attracts more money to you.

This brings us to the conclusion of this Topic.

Source:

For enquiries you can email us agroecosolutions@gmail.com or call/whatsapp  +2348038602670

Remember we will keep to our promise to brings you latest update, details and practicable information