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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 6
Publication Date: December 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/aivp.126.17872.
Popoola, Y. A., Owosibo, A. O., Ogunleke, F. O., Idowu, A. B., & Omole, A. J. (2024). Growth, Cost and Carcass Evaluation of Snail
(Archachatina marginata) Fed Diet Containing Yam Peel-Soy-Bean Residue Mixture Meal. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol - 12(6). 148-152.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Growth, Cost and Carcass Evaluation of Snail (Archachatina
marginata) Fed Diet Containing Yam Peel-Soy-Bean Residue
Mixture Meal
Popoola, Y. A.
Institute of Agricultural Research and Training,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
Owosibo, A. O.
Federal College of Animal Health and Production,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
Ogunleke F. O.
Federal College of Animal Health and Production,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
Idowu A. B.
Institute of Agricultural Research and Training,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
Omole, A. J.
1 Institute of Agricultural Research and Training,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria
ABSRACT
The study was conducted to determine effect of inclusion of dry Yam peel-soybean
residues meal (YPSM) as substitute to Maize in the diet of snail (Archachatina
marginata). A total of 120 growing snails (average weight of 76.5 ± 2.4g, 4 months
old) were used for the study. Four dietary treatments comprising Yam peel- soybean residue meal (YPSM) replaced maize at 0% (YPSM1), 50% (YPSM 2), 75%
(YPSM3) and 100% (YPSM4) were compounded and allotted to snails in a
completely randomized design. Data were collected on growth performance,
reproductive indices, cost implications and carcass yield were statistically
analyzed using analysis of variance. There was no significant difference in the
mean total feed intake in YPSM1, YPSM2 and YPSM3 (P>0.05). The mean total
weight gain was significantly different across the treatments (P<0.05) although no
significant difference in the mean total weight gain in YPSM1, YPSM2 and YPSM3.
The mean shell length was not significantly influenced by dietary treatments and
the values ranged between 12.68 in YPSM1 and 12.48 in YPSM4. Shell width and
thickness were not significantly different from one another as the level of YPSM in
the diet increased (P>0.05). The lowest cost/weight gain was recorded in the diet
containing 75% YPSM as replacement for maize while the highest cost/weight gain
was recorded in the diet containing 100%YPSM. Based on the results obtained
from this study, it could be recommended that Yam peel-soybean residues meal
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149
Popoola, Y. A., Owosibo, A. O., Ogunleke, F. O., Idowu, A. B., & Omole, A. J. (2024). Growth, Cost and Carcass Evaluation of Snail (Archachatina
marginata) Fed Diet Containing Yam Peel-Soy-Bean Residue Mixture Meal. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(6). 148-152.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.126.17872
(YPSM) could be included up to 75% as replacement for maize fraction of the diet
of snail (Archachatina maginata) without adverse effect but at reduced cost.
Keywords: Feed efficiency, Dressing percentage, Snails, Soybean residue, Soybean meal,
performance.
INTRODUCTION
The importance of snail farming cannot be over-emphasized as a source of snail meat which is
rich in protein and calcium. The protein content of the meat compared favourably with other
conventional meat like mutton, pork, chicken meat among others. The low cholesterol and fat
contents of snail meat makes it a choice or delicacy meat. The meat commands higher price
than other conventional meat. Snail can be reared in both urban and rural areas because it
does not constitute any nuisance to the environment and could be reared at small, medium
and large scale depending on the capital and interest of the investors. Major factor that affects
livestock production in Nigeria is feed. The shortage of feed in livestock production has led to
increase in cost of production. Many farms that could not cope has to be shut down because of
high cost of production hence, there is need for alternative feedstuffs such as agricultural by- products (Omole et al., 2014; Omole et al., 2016). Soybean is a grain that could be processed
into milk or toasted for different uses. The by-product of soymilk processing often referred to
as soybean milk residue (SBR) can be used as feed for livestock. Soybean milk residue is rich
in protein and fibre. According to Popoola et al., (2020) and fayenuwo et al., (2017), the
residue contains 25-30% crude protein. The crude fibre of the residue is composed of
cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. It also contains about 10-15% oil. The high quality protein
fraction has good water holding and emulsifying qualities Omole et al., (2018). Yam peel is
very common in South-Western Nigeria and Nigeria in general, Yam peel is gotten after
peeling whole yam tuber and very rich in Fibre, carbohydrates but low in Protein while
soybean residue is rich in protein. There is paucity of information on the use of SBR in the diet
of snail. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the effects of Yam peel-soybean residue
meal as replacement for Maize on growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, feed
efficiency, shell length, width and thickness increment).
METHODOLOGY
Experimental Site
The experiment was out at the Snailery Unit of the Institute of Agricultural Research and
Tra8ining (I.A.R. & T.), Moor Plantation which is located on Longitude 0351E, Latitude
0723N and Altitude 650 ̓. The area is in the humid zone of Southwestern Nigeria with a mean
annual rainfall of 1220 mm and mean temperature of 26C.
Experimental Design
A total of 120 snail (Archachatina marginata) of relative the same weight and the same breed
was used for the experiment. The low fenced pen used for the experiment was demarcated
into 12 compartments. Each compartment has a dimension of 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.5m3. The cover of
the cage was of mosquito nets reinforced with wire mesh. Sandy loam soil was used as
bedding for the snails. The ratio of yam peel to Soybean residue is 3:1. A total of 120 growing
snails (Archachatina marginata) with a mean weight of 76.5 ± 2.4gapproximately 3 months
old were used for the feeding trial. Four dietary treatments were formulated to contain Yam
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 6, December-2024
peel-soybean residue meal at 0% (YPSM 1), 50% (YPSM 2), 75% (YPSM 3) and 100% (YPSM 4)
as a replacement for maize. Completely randomized design was the experimental design with
10 snails per replicate for each of the treatment. The diets were formulated to contain about
24% crude protein and energy of 2400 kcal/kg ME (Table 1). Management practices during
the feeding trial was as described by Omole et al. (2016).
Data Collection
Feed intake and weight gain of snails were measured daily and weekly, respectively using a
sensitive weighing scale. Feed intake was calculated by removal of left-over feed from feed
offered while the weight gain was by deducting the initial weight from the final weight. Shell
length and width were measured on weekly basis using a vernier caliper.
Micrometer screw gauge was also used to measure the shell thickness on weekly basis. Feed
conversion ratio was calculated as the ratio of feed intake to weight gain. Feed cost and cost
per weight gain were also calculated. The feeding trial lasted for 12 weeks. Carcass analysis
was carried out at the end of the feeding trial by randomly selecting 4 snails from each
replicate and weighed separately. Each snail was killed by striking the shell with a club. The
shell, foot and viscerals were separated and weighed separately. The chemical composition of
the experimental diets and the foot were determined as described by the method of AOAC
(1990). All the data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were separated
using Duncan Multiple Range Test (SAS, 2000).
Table 1: Gross composition of experimental diets used for the experiment
Percentage inclusion of soybean residue
Ingredient (%) Cost (₦/kg) YPSM1 (0%) YPSM2 (50%) YPSM3 (75%) YPSM4 (100%)
Maize 44.0 22.0 11.0 0.0
YPSM 0.0 22.0 33.0 44.0
GNC 26 26 26 26
Fish meal 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
*Other fixed ingredients 27.5 27.5 27.5 27.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost/kg (N) 151.34 149.34 137.2 134.32
Calculated Composition
Crude protein (%) 24.22 24.21 24.13 24.08
ME (kcal/Kg) 2605.2 2599.3 2589.45 2572.12
ME= Metabolisable energy *Others fixed ingredients: Brewer dry grain= 15.05, Bone meal= 2.3; Oyster shell=
9.70; Methionine= 0.1; Lysine= 0.1; Premix= 0.25; Salt= 0.1.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The gross composition of the experimental diet is as show in table 1, YPSM fraction in diets
was replace maize at 0, 50, 75, and 100%. There was significant differences in the mean total
feed intake as observed in Table 2. The highest feed intake was recorded in diet fed diet
containing 75% YPSM while the lowest feed intake was recorded in diet containing
100%YPSM. There was no significant difference in the mean total feed intake in YPSM1, YPSM2
and YPSM3 (P>0.05). The increased feed intake from YPSM1 to YPSM3 could be due to
increased protein levels. It has been reported that snails tend to eat more when the feed is low
in fibre and high in protein levels ( Odeyinka, 2014; Popoola et al.,2016: Omole, et.al.,2012).
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151
Popoola, Y. A., Owosibo, A. O., Ogunleke, F. O., Idowu, A. B., & Omole, A. J. (2024). Growth, Cost and Carcass Evaluation of Snail (Archachatina
marginata) Fed Diet Containing Yam Peel-Soy-Bean Residue Mixture Meal. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(6). 148-152.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.126.17872
The mean total weight gain was significantly different across the treatments (P<0.05)
(Table3) although no significant difference in the mean total weight gain in YPSM1, YPSM2 and
YPSM3.The mean shell length was not significantly influenced by dietary treatments and the
values ranged between 12.68 in YPSM1 and 12.48 in YPSM4. Shell width and thickness were
not significantly different from one another as the level of YPSM in the diet increased
(P>0.05). The feed conversion ratio was significantly different from one another (P<0.05)
across the treatments. The best feed: Weight gain ratio was recorded in diet containing 50%
YPSM which was relatively the same with YPSM1 and YPSM3. The least FCR was recorded in
YPSM4 which is as a result of low feed consumption and lowest weight gain as observed in
Table 2. The results of carcass composition (Table 3) revealed that the dressing percentage
across the treatments were significantly influenced by different inclusion levels of YPSM in
the diets (P>0.05) The lowest dressing percentage was recorded in the diet containing 100%
YPSM. No significant differences were observed in snails fed diet containing 50 and 75%
YPSM. The results of the dressing percentage compared favourably with the reports of
Odeyinka, (2014) and Owosibo et al., (2021). The results of cost analysis showed that cost /kg
feed reduced as the levels of YPSM in the diets increased from diet containing from) to100%
as shown in Table2. The total feed cost also follow the same trends with cost/kg feed. The
total feed cost at 0% inclusion of YPSM was N106.40 while it reduced to N82.60 in diet
containing 100% YPSM. The lowest cost/weight gain was recorded in the diet containing 75%
YPSM as replacement for maize while the highest cost/weight gain was recorded in the diet
containing 100%YPSM. The reduction in feed cost was due to low cost of YPSM compared to
maize. It could be concluded that Yam peel- soybean residue meal could be as alternative feed
ingredients and could replace maize fraction of the diet of snails up to 75% There were
significant difference in the feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. and at reduce
Based on the results obtained from this study, it can be recommended that Yam peel-soybean
residues meal (YPSM) could be include up to 75% in the diet of snail (Archachatina maginata)
without adverse effect cost.
Table 2: Summary of Performance of Snail fed containing Yam peel- Soymilk residue
Meal mixtures
Parameters YPSRM 1
(0%)
YPSRM2
(50%)
YPSRM3
(75%)
YPSRM4
(100%)
SEM
Final weight (g) 347.06a 348.94a 345.05ab 283.66b 13.90
Total weight gain (g) 264.72a 266.65a 262.27a 200.99b 17.12
Total feed intake (g) 884.18a 887.95a 889.1a 848.18b 12.88
Feed conversion ratio (g) 3.34b 3.33b 3.39b 4.22a 0.24
Shell length increment
(g)
12.68 12.67 12.65 12.48 0.32
Shell width increment 11.54 11.55 11.52 11.52 0.24
Shell thickness
increment
0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.03
Dressing percent (%) 44.45 a 44.44 a 44.43 a 42.13b 2.97
Cost/kg feed (g) 119.55a 110.05b 104.92c 98.34d 2.89
Cost/weight gain (N /kg) 394.07b 362.78c 345.85d 413.00a 7.88
Means along rows with different superscript are significantly different from each other (P<0.05)
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Table 3: Summary of carcass composition of Snail fed containing Yam peel- Soymilk
residue Meal mixtures
Parameters YPSRM 1 (0%) YPSRM2 (50%) YPSRM3 (75%) YPSRM4 (100%) SEM
Live weight (g) 347.78 346.59 345.65 283.66 23.45
Shell weight (g) 76.99 76.70 80.17 80.85 2.78
Offal weight (g) 74.91a 75.93 a 77.59 a 65.18 b 3.12
Foot weight (g) 154.57 154.02 153.57 119.50 4.99
Dressing percent (%) 44.45 a 44.44 a 44.43 a 42.13b 2.97
Offal/live weight (%) 22.12 22.13 22.45 22.98 2.31
Shell/live weight (%) 23.4 23.39 23.25 23.23 2.41
Means along rows with different superscript are significantly different from each other (P<0.05)
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