V3I1P48

Evaluating the Growth Performance of the Giant African Land Snail Archachatina marginata Fed Graded Levels of Bambara Groundnut Waste

Emmanuel E. Odiaka^1*

Abstract

An experimental trial to evaluate the dietary effect of Raw Bambara groundnut waste on the growth performance of Archachatina marginata was carried out for 60 days using 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% Raw Bambara groundnuts waste inclusions levels. There were four treatments, each replicated three times with fifteen snails per replicate. Measurements taken were Life Weight, Mean Weight Gain, Feed Intake, Feed Conversion Ratio, Feed Carcass Characteristics. The final weight gain (157.12g) and weight gain (13.21) of snails fed 45% BGN waste diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than values obtained from snails fed with 0%, 15%, and 30% Raw BGN waste diet. Snails fed 0 and 15% BGN waste diet did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in their feed intake (57.36g), (56.51g). The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of snails fed 30 and 45% diets (7.86 and 7.91 respectively) were comparable and significantly (P < 0.05) different from the FCR value (11.76) of snails fed with 15% Raw BGN waste diets. There were significant (P < 0.05) difference among treatments in final body weight, weight gain (WG) and Feed conversion Ratio (FCR). The result obtained in the study showed that up to 15, 30 and 45% Raw BGN waste inclusion levels in the diet of snails can improve their growth performance with 45% inclusion level as the most appropriate dietary level.

Keywords:

Snail, Performance, Bambara groundnuts, Carcass, Diets, ,Archachatina marginata