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Research Paper | Agronomy | Ivory Coast | Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014 | Popularity: 6.8 / 10

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Using Communication to Improve Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) Reproductive Behaviour in Cote Divoire

Soro D., OKON A. J. L., Kims M., FANTODJI A.

Abstract: Stress is a limiting factor in the production of grasscutters. Communication experiments were therefore conducted to reduce or eliminate the psychosocial stress and panic instinct with grasscutters. Two batches of fifty grasscutters were used for that experimentation. A control group and a lot grasscutters subjected to various techniques of communication have been observed. After two months of experimentation; communication beyond words resulted in notable and very noticeable changes in the behavior of grasscutters. They became more docile and non-aggressive. The fear response of grasscutters by seeing man was reduced or eliminated in some cases. They accepted to eat in the hands of the man without fear; even being held by him. Thus; they did not flee the presence of humans and they lent themselves to manipulation; unlike those deprived of humans contacts. The instinct of dominance among them is removed because no competition is observed during feeding. All females (100 %) were fertilized after projections in less than 2 months by the male without any injury. However; only 60 % of females with deep wounds made by the male were mated within 2 months. These results suggest the technique of communication beyond words as a solution to psychosocial stress of farmed grasscutters.

Keywords: Grasscutter farming, communication, stress, behavior, reproduction

Edition: Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014

Pages: 2465 - 2469

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