EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FEEDING MATERIALS ON GROWER SNAILS (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA) REARED INTENSIVELY

Abstract

This research was conducted to compare the effects of different feeds on the growth and carcass performances of grower snails. Commercial poultry meal, poultry manure, pig manure, and a control diet made up of paw-paw leaves, ripe paw-paw fruit, oil palm fruit, and water leaves were fed to the snails. The snails had an initial average weight of 53. 60 – 53.76 g. Ninety-six (96) grower snails were chosen at random and split up into four (4) groups of twenty-four (24) snails, for each treatment. These groups were then replicated four times, with six snails in each and the experiment lasted for 12 weeks. The parameters examined were growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics. Data collected were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan New Multiple Range Test. The study revealed that a commercial diet (soya meal) supports higher final body weight, body weight gain, shell thickness, dressing percentage, and the least feed conversion ratio. At the same time, poultry manure and pig manure had the least final body weight, weight gain, and shell percentage. However, no significant (P>0.05) differences were recorded in the final shell circumference, shell circumference gain, final shell length, and shell length gain. It was concluded that commercial feed with soya bean meal as the main protein source supported fast growth and carcass performance. However, no significant (P>0.05) differences were recorded in the final shell circumference, shell circumference gain, final shell length, and shell length gain.