Authors : K.O. Ademolu and A.B. Idowu
Abstract: The use of poultry dropping as snail (Archachatina marginata) feed was investigated in a six-month experiment. Diet I contain poultry dropping as protein source at 20%, while Diet II was pawpaw leaves. Growth parameters (weight gain, feed intake, shell length gain, shell circumference gain and feed conversion ratio), haemolymph and flesh minerals and proximate composition of the snails were determined. Snails fed diet I had a higher weight gain than snails on diet (II). The snails converted diet (II) better than (I). the feed intake of snails on snails on diet II, was significantly higher (p<0.05) than snails on diet I. Diet II contributed more to the shell length gain than diet I, while diet I contributed more to the shell circumference gain, though not stastically different (p<0.05). Analysis of the haemolymph and flesh for mineral composition revealed that snails fed diet II had higher total value than snails on diet I. As shown by the proximate analysis, diet I supplies more protein to the snails than diet II.
Ademolu, K.O. and A.B. Idowu , 2005. The Use of Poultry Dropping as Snail Feed . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 566-569.