EFFECTS OF CORN BRAN AND BREWERS DRIED GRAIN ON THE GROWTH OF CANE RATS (THRYONOMYS SWINDERIANUS)

This research investigated the growth performance and food preference of cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed with diets containing different levels of brewers dried grain (BDG) and corn bran. The research was conducted at the Adamawa State College of Education Hong, Nigeria, it aimed to identify alternative, cost-effective feed ingredients to bridge the animal protein supply gap. The research utilized 36 weaned cane rats per experiment, assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Cane rats showed high palatability for BDG diets. There were significant increases in average daily feed intake observed at 10% (71.5g/day) and 15% (72.2g/day) inclusion levels compared to the control. Growth Performance: The 10% BDG inclusion level gave the best results, recording the highest average daily weight gain of (11.5 g/day) and the most efficient FCR (6.2). The study concludes that brewers dried grain is a viable unconventional feed ingredient for cane rats, with a 10% inclusion level being optimal for maximizing growth and feed efficiency in intensive production systems