ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different
protein sources at varying levels on the performance and the carcass
characteristics of the African giants land snail (Archachatina marginata).
Soyabean meal and groundnut cake were used as test proteins. Four diets were
formulated from each of the two proteins such that each was included at 16%,
18%, 20% and 22% of the 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) in average daily feed intake, percentage shell
weight and percentage edible weight of the snails fed the experimental diets.
The protein levels main effect were also significant (P<0.05) in protein
efficiency ratio, percentage shell weight, percentage edible weight and
percentage visceral weight. The interactions between protein sources and
protein levels were also significant (P<0.05) in protein efficiency ratio,
percentage shell weight, percentage edible weight and percentage visceral
weight of the snails fed the treatment diets. Mortality was not recorded during
the experiment. The growth performance show that soybean based diets were
better than groundnut cake based diets and that soyabean should be included at
22% for an optimum growth of snails.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
Heliculture,
which is the process of farming or raising snails, has become very important in
recent times because of increased animal protein shortage in Nigeria. Also, the
availability of some edible snails in Nigeria, their popularity and
acceptability nationwide, the potential for export, including the emerging
technologies for their production have largely contributed towards the present
renewed interest in snail farming (Amusan and Omidiji, 1998). Ebenebe (2000)
pointed out that it is high time we looked inward and integrate into our
farming system some non-conventional meat sources like snails. This will go a
long way in reducing the problem of protein malnutrition, which is real in most
developing countries of the world. These countries are mostly located in the
warm humid tropics where the level of animal protein intake represents about
one-tenth of the level of intake in the advanced countries (Esonu, 2001). Kehinde
et al., (2002) reported that the protein consumption in Nigeria is below
67g recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Snail
farming can conveniently be done in our back yards. This is due to the fact
that snail farming is environmentally friendly and can be done with little
skill (Akinnusi, 1998; NRC, 1991). The faecal matters neither smell nor make
the environment filthy in any way. Snails are also good converter of vegetable
protein to useful animal protein (Obi et al., 2001). They provide a very
cheap source of high quality animal protein for human consumption. Snail
farming is also a high profit-yielding venture and requires little capital when
compared to other forms of animal farming. Thousands of land Snails can be
raised in a small land space if intensively managed and there is always less
need for vaccination and therapeutic drugs. Predators, parasites, and disease
can easily be prevented through proper housing, management, and sanitation.
These comparative advantages over other live stocks should be used as an edge
to increase snail production.
Snail
production has gone to an advanced stage in America, Europe and Asia but in
Africa, much research work has not been carried out (Rebecca and Sheldon,
2004). The species of snail that are common in temperate regions are Helix
aspersa, Helix pomatia, Helix lucorum, Helix cibeta, Iberus alonensis
and Otala-puntata. Those species that are common in tropical African
include Achatina achatina, Achatina fulica, Archachatina marginata,
Archachatina ventricosa, Archachatina degneri and Limicolaria species.
In West Africa, Archachatina marginata of Nigeria and Achatina
achatina of Ghana are the two largest species of snails. Achatina
achatina produces the highest number of eggs of about 100-500 eggs per
clutch. Other snails of African origin produce less number of eggs of between
5-15 eggs per clutch. Achatina achatina is also known to be the tropical
species of snail that is most accepted in the World market (Amusan and Omidiji,
1998).
Snail meat
competes favourably with poultry egg and flesh in essential amino acids and digestible
protein (Imevbore, 1990). It is essentially rich in lysine, leucine,
isoleucine,phenylalanine,arginine and tryptophan and contains high level of
iron, calcium and phosphorus (Dada et al., 1999). The galacton present
in its abdominal gland serves as a medicinal substance of high immunological
value, which cures tuberculosis, ulcer, asthma and circulatory disorders.
Okonkwo et al. (2000) also pointed out that snail meat is useful in the
treatment of some human diseases like anaemia, hypertension, asthma, etc. while
its shell can be used in the production of buttons, rings and other jewelry. It
is unequivocally clear that the importance of improving snail production cannot
be overemphasized.
Success in snail production involves among other
things proper nutrition. Nutrients such as energy, protein and minerals should
always be provided. According to Olomu (1995), protein functions mainly in
tissue growth, Carbohydrate (in nitrogen-free extract) provides the necessary
energy for metabolic activities, while calcium functions in shell growth
(Akinnusi 1988). Stievenart (1992), Omole et al. (2000) and Ejidike
(2001) pointed out the need to use complete balanced feeds in snail production.
Feed formulated to meet the....
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