ABSTRACT
This research was conducted firstly to determine some mineral profile of snail shell and egg shell meals and, secondly to evaluate the utilisation of snail shells and egg shells as supplier of calcium and phosphorus in the diets of broiler chickens. Six diets were tested, Diet 1 was the Control (100% Limestone), Diet 2 had 50% (Snail shell meal inclusion level), Diet 3 (100% Snail shell inclusion level), Diet 4 (50% Snail shell and 50% Egg shell meal inclusion level), Diet 5 contained (50% egg shell meal inclusion level) and 100% egg shell meal inclusion level for Diet 6.
The study was carried out to evaluate the respective effects of replacement of limestone with snail shells and egg shell meals on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, economies of feed conversion, retention studies and bone breaking strength of broiler chickens. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance, and the means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The growth performance, blood parameters and economies of feed conversion were evaluated both at the starter and finisher phases, while the feeding and watering were ad libitum for the nine weeks of experimentation.
There was no significant (P˃0.05) difference in weight gain at both phases but, there were significant (P<0.05) difference in the blood parameter as the birds fed Diet 4 gave the highest calcium concentration at the starter phase and those of Diet 6 recorded the highest in the blood calcium at the finisher phase. Also, the organs showed no significant (P˃0.05) difference across the birds on the various Diets except for the liver in no particular pattern. There was no significant (P˃0.05) difference in the bled weight, defeathered and eviscerated weight but then, Diets 5, 4 and 4 recorded the highest weights respectively. Diet 6 gave the most impressive percentage bone ash and breaking strength value. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in the percentage bone ash and breaking strength across the various treatments. At the starter phase, birds fed Diet 5 gave the best feed conversion ratio, it also recorded the least average feed cost/intake g/ bird and were the best economically, while at the finisher phase, birds fed Diet 4 recorded the best weight gain and feed conversion ratio. However, Diet 2 was best economically. It was thus concluded that snail shell meal, egg shell meal and the combination of both shells can be used in the diets of broiler chickens as substitute for limestone.
