Growth performances of giant African land snail (Achatina achatina) fed by formulated diet with different energy level

Authors

  • Merlin Guy Tchowan Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea-Cameroon, Cameroon
  • Ferdinand Ngoula Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang-Cameroon, Cameroon
  • Augustave Kenfack Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang-Cameroon, Cameroon
  • Joseph Tchoumboue Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang-Cameroon, Cameroon

Keywords:

Merlin Guy Tchowan, Ferdinand Ngoula, Augustave Kenfack, Joseph Tchoumboue

Abstract

In order to assess the effect of energy level on the growth performances of giant African land snails (Achatina achatina), a study was conducted between September 2015 and January 2017 at the snailery of the University of Buea-Cameroon. 90 young snails of one month old, weighing between 1 and 1.5 g, of shell length between 15.5-23.85 mm and shell diameter between 12.60-16.85 mm and free from wounds or shell defects were divided into 3 groups of 5 snails each and 6 replicates in cages equipped with feeders and drinking troughs. Each treatment was randomly assigned one of the experimental feed with variable energy levels (2600, 2800 and 3000 kcal/kg) in addition to pawpaw leaves as a staple feed. These were previously weighed as well as the remnants using a 0.5 g precision scale. The cultured substrates were watered daily (0.50 liter/substrate). At the beginning of the test, and then every week, the snails were weighed, and shell measurements done using a digital caliper of 0.05 mm accuracy. The animals were monitored for fourteen months. The results show that feed intake (3.01 ± 1.57), weight gain (25.55 ± 8.43), daily weight gain (0.065 ± 0.019), gain of shell length (29.66 ± 6.07) and shell diameter (21.58 ± 4.38) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in snails receiving 2600 kcal/kg of energy compared to snails from the other treatments. The highest consumption index was recorded in snails receiving 3000 kcal/kg of energy in the diet, but the statistical analyses did not find any significant difference. In conclusion, the energy level of 2600 kcal/kg can be retained in the diet of growing snails.

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Published

2017-11-18

How to Cite

Guy Tchowan, M. ., Ngoula, F. ., Kenfack, A. ., & Tchoumboue, J. . (2017). Growth performances of giant African land snail (Achatina achatina) fed by formulated diet with different energy level. Scientific Journal of Veterinary Advances, 6(11), 195-202. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjva/article/view/204

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Original Article