EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PROTEIN SOURCES ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN GIANT LAND SNAIL (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA)

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

snails specific nutritional requirement has the effect of enhancing the growth performance of snails. Their maturity and attainment of market weight can equally be attained within a shorter time. The use of different protein feed ingredients is of immense value towards this achievement. The most expensive component of supplemental animal feed is protein. Therefore, the investigation of diet protein level requirement of Archachatina marginata is important using different protein sources.  The study was aimed  at evaluating  the response,  in terms  of growth performance  and  nutrient  utilization  of  Archachatina  marginata  fed  different crude protein diets from different protein sources.

1.1 Statement of Problem

The animal protein intake of Nigerians is low and this has led to an acute malnutrition  amongst  the greater  percentage  of the rural populace[FAO,1986]. Kehinde et al.  (2002) reported that the protein consumption in Nigeria is below

67g recommended by the World Health Organization. The fact that the present level of livestock production cannot meet daily demand for animal protein calls for urgent strategies for promoting micro livestock (Ngonpayou, 1992).

The  growth,  development  and  reproduction  of  an  animal  are  highly dependent on the quality of its feed. Moreover, the survival and well being of any confined animal depend greatly on the availability  of acceptable  and balanced food materials.

However,  one  problem  facing  the  rearing  of  snail  is  formulating  an improved diet that will meet the nutrient requirement of snails. In order to do this successfully, attention has to be given to protein, because it plays important role in growth, maintenance, hormonal and enzymatic activities.

1.2  Objectives of the Study

The experiment was designed to:

1)        determine the effect of different protein feed ingredients in the diet of growing snails.

2)        determine the effect of different levels of inclusion of the protein sources  on  growth  performance   and  carcass  characteristics   of growing snails.

3)        determine the cost of feeding graded levels of different protein feed ingredients to growing snails.

1.3      Justification

The protein sources used in compounding the experimental diets are composed of varying quantities and qualities of amino acids. The growth performances of animals are generally dependent on the quality of feed consumed.

The quantity  of protein  utilized  in a given  quantity  of feed  consumed  is a measure of the protein value. Different levels of inclusion of protein in diets may or  may  not  show  any  difference  in  the  growth  performance  of  the  animals consuming such feeds. However, there is always a threshold quantity of protein to be included in diets for effective growth and performance. This has necessitated the inclusion of the test protein at four different levels of crude protein value. Finally, that the cost of feed account for about 70% of the cost of production is no longer news.  Based on this assertion,  a measure  of relativity  between  growth performance and cost of feed consumed was ascertained. Hence, the cost benefit ratio of the different protein levels was estimated.

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