Feeding Pattern, Carcass and Shell Qualities of Snails Archachatina marginata Fed Different Material

Feeding pattern, carcass and shell qualities of snails fed different materials were studied using ninety-six grower snails (Archachatina marginata) weighing an average of 40 g per snail. Four diets were fed. Diet 1 was the natural diet made up of pawpaw leaves, palm fruits and water leaves (control diet); Diet 2 was a commercial poultry diet with soya beans as the major protein source, while Diets 3 and 4 contained poultry manure and pig manure, respectively. The snails were confined in perforated baskets made of plastics and provided with perforated covers. Feeding was done ad libitum for a period of 12 weeks. Data were collected on weekly feed intake, body weight and carcass characteristics which included shell percentage, shell thickness, visceral percentage and snail dressing percentage. Results obtained showed that snails do not have any specific eating pattern; diets fed exhibited no significant effect on the carcass characteristics of snails, but affected shell quality (shell thickness) and body weight significantly.