GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN GIANT LAND SNAILS FED WITH VARIED CALCIUM DIETS

ABSTRACT

A 14 weeks study was conducted to determine the growth performance of African Giant snail (Archachatina marginata) fed with varied calcium diets. Thirty two (32) juvenile snails were used for the study with an average weight of 60.5g.  The snails were randomly assigned to 3 dietary levels (1%, 4% and 8%) of calcium and also to a controlled diet using fruits and vegetables. Each treatment had eight (8) snails with two (2) replicates and four (4) snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data collected was subjected to a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and was further tested with the Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). The results indicated that the proximate analysis of the feed contained in T₃ (8%) had the highest gross energy (kcal/kg) of 2730 while the least was observed in T4 (control) having 2131 kcal/kg. T₃ (8%) had the highest percentage of crude protein of 18.21% and highest percentage fat of. T4 (control) of 2.16. T4 (control) had the highest % crude fibre and NFE of 18.65 and 43.07 respectively. The results also revealed that there was a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the snail weight, shell  length and shell width of the snails fed with the different levels of calcium. It was further observed that Archachatina marginata juvenile snails fed with highest percentage of crude protein and high amount of calcium performed greatly. It was recommended that the need to conduct further studies in the growth response of Archachatina marginata juveniles with higher level of level of calcium should be done.