Growth Performance and Proximate Composition of Archachatina marginata Snail Fed with Formulated Diets Using Pawpaw (Carcia papaya) Leaf Meal and Poultry Droppings Meal as Protein Sources

Abstract

The combined effect of pawpaw leaf meal (PLM) and poultry droppings meal (PDM) as protein sources in snail feed on the performance of Archachatina marginata (Giant African Land Snail) snail was investigated in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-six (126), six (6) weeks old snails and average weight 10.34 g were used for a 12 weeks experiment in a completely randomised feeding trial. Five experimental snail diets (Diets II-VI) containing at least 20% crude protein were prepared using PLM and PDM in ratios 4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, and 0:4), respectively. The diet I is modified Cobbinah;s snail feed concentrate, and diet VII is fresh pawpaw leaf (control diet). Proximate composition, the progression in weight, feed intake, and shell dimensions of the snails were determined. The maximum weight increase was obtained in snail fed with the diet I while minimum weight increase recorded for snails on diet IV. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) ranged from 1.45 to 2.21, with snails on diet II recording  the highest FCR. The feed intake and shell length gain of the snail on diet II are significantly higher than those on other diets. The highest shell width increase was recorded in snails that consumed diet VII. The meat of snails which fed on diet I have the highest protein value. Snails which fed on diet IV gave maximum ash content, while those fed on diet III have the least value. The result of the present study showed that highest growth performance and feed utilisation for A. marginata snail was favored by diet I. The compounded diets consisting of PLM and PDM as protein sources were efficiently utilised by A. marginata snail more than the control diet (fresh pawpaw leaf).