Nutritional and Economic Evaluation of Snail Offal Meal as a Protein Source in the Diets of Growing African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata)

Abstract

This study evaluated the performance of growing snails Archachatina marginata fed varying levels of snail offal meal (SOM) as alternative source of protein to replace soybean meal.  A total of 150 growing snails were allotted to five dietary treatments. The treatment groups were SOM₁, SOM₂ SOM₃, SOM₄ and SOM₅ which contained 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % inclusion of SOM in replacing soybean meal in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment over a 12-week feeding trial. The SOM were processed and dried before incorporation with feed ingredients. The management practices were all the same in all the treatments.  Data were collected on growth performance, cost implications and carcass yield. There were significant differences in the mean total feed intake of the snails fed diets containing SOM.  Results showed that snails fed 10% SOM recorded significantly higher (P<0.05) final weight gain and superior FCR compared with other treatments. Higher inclusion levels (15–20%) resulted in reduced growth performance and poorer shell quality. Mortality was low across treatments but increased slightly at 20% SOM inclusion. The study concluded that snail offal meal can be included up to 10% in the diets of growing Archachatina marginata without adverse effects on performance or shell quality.