Project Abstract

Abstract
The Africa giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) is a popular species reared for its meat, which is a good source of protein. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different protein sources on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Africa giant land snails. A total of 120 juvenile snails with an average weight of 10g were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments control (basal diet), fishmeal-based diet, soybean meal-based diet, and earthworm-based diet. The experiment was conducted for a period of 12 weeks under controlled environmental conditions. Results showed that the snails fed the fishmeal-based diet had the highest weight gain and growth rate compared to the other dietary treatments. The soybean meal-based diet also supported good growth performance, although not as high as the fishmeal-based diet. Snails fed the earthworm-based diet had the lowest weight gain and growth rate among the groups. Carcass analysis revealed that snails fed the fishmeal-based diet had the highest dressing percentage and edible meat percentage, indicating better carcass characteristics. The soybean meal-based diet also showed positive effects on carcass characteristics, while the earthworm-based diet had the lowest dressing percentage and edible meat percentage. In conclusion, the protein source in the diet significantly influenced the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Africa giant land snails. Fishmeal proved to be the most effective protein source for promoting growth and improving carcass quality in this species. Soybean meal also showed positive effects on growth and carcass characteristics, although to a lesser extent than fishmeal. Earthworms, despite being a natural food source for snails, did not support optimal growth or desirable carcass characteristics in this study. These findings suggest that formulating snail diets with high-quality protein sources such as fishmeal can enhance the growth performance and carcass quality of Africa giant land snails, ultimately improving their production efficiency and economic value. Further research is recommended to explore additional protein sources and optimize dietary formulations for maximizing the potential of snail meat production.

Project Overview

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different proteinsources at varying levels on the performance and the carcass characteristics ofthe African giants land snail (Archachatina marginata). Soyabean meal andgroundnut cake were used as test proteins. Four diets were formulated from eachof the two proteins such that each was included at 16%, 18%, 20% and 22% ofthe diets. A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in CRD was used with eight treatments.Each treatment was replicated thrice with four snails per replicate. The trial

lasted for 90 days.

The protein source main effects were significant (P<0.05) inaverage daily feed intake, percentage shell weight and percentage edible weightof the snails fed the experimental diets. The protein levels main effect were alsosignificant (P<0.05) in protein efficiency ratio, percentage shell weight,percentage edible weight and percentage visceral weight. The interactionsbetween protein sources and protein levels were also significant (P<0.05) inprotein efficiency ratio, percentage shell weight, percentage edible weight andpercentage visceral weight of the snails fed the treatment diets. Mortality was notrecorded during the experiment. The growth performance show that soybeanbased diets were better than groundnut cake based diets and that soyabean should be included at 22% for an optimum growth of snails
ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to study the effects of different proteinsources at varying levels on the performance and the carcass characteristics ofthe African giants land snail (Archachatina marginata). Soyabean meal andgroundnut cake were used as test proteins. Four diets were formulated from eachof the two proteins such that each was included at 16%, 18%, 20% and 22% ofthe diets. A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in CRD was used with eight treatments.Each treatment was replicated thrice with four snails per replicate. The trial

lasted for 90 days.

The protein source main effects were significant (P<0.05) inaverage daily feed intake, percentage shell weight and percentage edible weightof the snails fed the experimental diets. The protein levels main effect were alsosignificant (P<0.05) in protein efficiency ratio, percentage shell weight,percentage edible weight and percentage visceral weight. The interactionsbetween protein sources and protein levels were also significant (P<0.05) inprotein efficiency ratio, percentage shell weight, percentage edible weight andpercentage visceral weight of the snails fed the treatment diets. Mortality was notrecorded during the experiment. The growth performance show that soybeanbased diets were better than groundnut cake based diets and that soyabean should be included at 22% for an optimum growth of snails