Assessment of Growth Performance of African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata, swaison) using 25% Crude Protein on Different Particle Sizes
Category : Uncategorized
1G.A. Lameed, 2S.O. Adedoyin and 3S.A. Abere
1Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Benin, Benin-City, Nigeria
3 Department of Forestry and Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria
Email: adedoyin.so.mnim@gmail.com
Abstract
This work aimed at helping farmers with the best form of feed for their snails by assessing the live weight gain, length increase, width increase, average dry matter intake in relation to different particle sizes, effects of different particles sizes on consumption and total and average number of eggs laid, per snail as well as survival rate using 25% crude protein of powdered pellet, crushed pellet and pellet. The results of the work revealed that snails’ live weights gained for the period of eight weeks that minimum values for weight gained for powdered is greater than, and pellet greater than crushed (206.7g>205.0g>198.9g). While the maximum values weights gain are 233.8g, 290.4g and 220.7g respectively (powdered< pellet>crushed). Weight gain was significant at 0.123** (0.01 levels). For width increase, the min. values were powdered 27.90cm, crushed 28.30cm and pellet 28.00cm. While maximum values is 29.50cm for powdered, 28.90cm for crushed and 30.30cm for pellet. Width increase is significant at 0.009** (0.01). Also for length increase of snails’ shell, the minimum and maximum value was highest for pellet (13.20cm and 14.40 cm respectively). The length increase of snails’ shell was significant at 0.171* (0.05 levels). Average number of eggs laid ranges between 0.663-2.400, where snails under powdered treatment has the highest and crushed-pellet least. There is a significant difference (.423*) in the number of eggs produced at p-(0.05) level. The study showed that all the particle sizes of these feed using 25% crude protein is all good for the feeding of snails in captivity. But this can be harnessed depending on what one desires (eggs, fast growth, etc).The use of compounded feed particles containing 25% crude protein can be used as supplement or main feed especially for snails farmer who has less time in gathering or selecting other natural feed. The compounded feed can be cheaply formulated or gotten from feed mill waste. Farmers who have snail farm at extensive level could embark on the use of compounded feed as a supplementary feed to supply the nutrients needed by the animal at right proportion and thereby improving their performances and also increase their population at the same time.
Keywords: Feed particles, Snails, Farmers, Crude Proteins, Weight Gain.
