Thyonomys swinderianus, aka "grasscutter"

Webster's online defines animal husbandry as "a branch of agriculture concerned with the production and care of domestic animals". Part of my job here is to find creative and new ways for our Pastor's to become self supported. In order to do that, I need to figure out how it is done so I can in turn teach them. So I guess that part of my job includes animal husbandry, as I care for these creatures, and I am highly concerned that my investment yields production.

They are shy. Remember picture day at school when you were in kindergarten?

My interest in raising grasscutter began with a visit to the animal research facility in Pokuase. I didn't know where it was exactly, so after several kilometers of walking, I finally was directed to the correct building where I met Yram, a college educated worker who was willing to sit down and talk with me about the details of raising these delightful creatures. Grasscutter is a delicacy, prized here for its sweet, high protein meat. On the road to Cape Coast you will often see grasscutter for sale, stretched out and grilled for a delicious meal. He told me that in years past grasscutter was caught in the wild, as hunters would burn brush in order to flush them out. Due to over-harvesting, the demand for the meat is not being met, and many a farmer has begun to raise them in captivity. Local grasscutter "societies" have sprung up in here, with meetings the first Tuesday of every month.


My curiosity piqued, I ordered a 12 partition cage from the local welder and waited patiently for it to be completed. And waited. Several months later, my cage was done and we were ready to buy the grasscutters.


My grasscutters were purchased when they were 4 months old, and in several months they will be ready to multiply. I purchased 4 females and 2 males, and am hoping that each female will bear an average of 8 babies twice a year. Each little critter set me back GH 40, so it adds up. The kids thought that maybe we should name them after people we know, like aunts, cousins, and even Grandma! I know, flattering.

Meet Maddie and Jaxson

Yram has helped me get started by showing me which grass to cut for them, how to tie it up so they can eat it, and answered a host of other questions I had. Now you can probably imagine from the name that they eat mainly grass, although you can supplement their diet with many things. My guys tend to love sugarcane, pineapple tops (always a winner), and maize, but I also throw in cabbage and lettuce scraps, cucumber peels, and cassava pieces. All the local staff have been advised to keep these items aside for later feedings. I also try to put in about 400 grams of grass for each animal, although right now I have them all in a big open space as they grow and adjust to this new environment. My sister has made my life easier as she has brought me rabbit water bottles, since they tip over the dish of water I have in the cage.

Looks like it's getting close to feeding time

Daily I spend about 15 minutes feeding them and cleaning out the cage. The cage is well designed with trays that slide out from under the pen to make clean up easy. I try to feed them at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM, although sometimes the timing gets a little off. Yram told me the grasscutters get very nervous and stressed if the feeding is not kept to a close schedule (sounds like my children), so I do my best. I have found a wonderful source of grass at the land site, and often our caretaker will be weeding and send a bundle or two of grass home with us.


I don't know how well this endeavour will go, but I am hoping that we can grow them and provide them at low cost to the Pastor's so they can start farming at their homes. Together, may we eliminate the high demand for this quality meat! A lofty goal? Perhaps. But for each tuft of grass that is eaten, each pineapple top that doesn't go to waste, each family that can now afford this healthy treat, we are making progress.