Evaluation of the effect of dried rumen digesta on feed intake and growth performance of giant African land snail (Achatina achatina )

Abstract

Background: The seasonality of plant materials and the high cost of purchasing the ingredients and in formulating snail feed are the factors that deter the rearing of snails. Effort should be directed towards feeding snails with cheap and locally available, but rich feed ingredients to minimize the effect of high cost of compounded feed, to ensure continuity of snail production all year round.

Objective: The study examined the effect of dried rumen digesta on feed intake and growth performance of Giant African land snail (Achatina achatina).

Methods: The study adopted an experimental research with completely randomized design (CRD) while simple random sampling technique was used to obtain forty-eight Giant African land snail was used as sample for the study. The experimental diets were formulated using adjustable Pearson's square method of feed formulation to contain dried rumen digesta at 0%, 5% and 10% inclusion level respectively. The feed intake was measured by a weigh-back technique while the length and width were measured using Venier caliper. One way Analysis of Variance ANOVA was used for the running of the analysis.

Results: The feed intake of Giant African land snail (Achatina achatina ) in treatment 2 ( T2) with 10% rumen digesta showed the highest mean value of 121.05, showing that rumen digesta is useful as an economic replacement for energy feed ingredients as cereals.

Conclusion: Extension agents should embark upon mass sensitization on benefits of feeding dried rumen digesta to snails at the levels of 5-10% for a cost effective snail production.