Effects of feeding adult snails Stylosanthes guianensis or Lablab purpureus as substitute for pawpaw leaf

The feeding trial assessed the performance, carcass and sensory evaluation of adult snails fed solely on leaves of Stylosanthes guianensis or Lablab purpureus as substitute for pawpaw leaf. Ninety-six (96) adult snails were used for the trial, and they were shared into three groups. Each group was replicated four times with 8 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured include weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, while dressing percent were calculated. The sensory evaluation was also carried out. The results show that snails fed S. guianensis performed better in terms of weight gain and feed intake and compared competitively with snail fed pawpaw leaf (P>0.05).The dressing percent, shell thickness, length and width, taste and general acceptability were not affected by the dietary treatments. Snail farmers are encouraged to cultivate S. guianensis to feed snails which can be used to substitute pawpaw leaf

Nutritive value of Stylosanthes guianensis and Lablab purpureus as sole feed for growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Stylosanthes guianensis and Lablab purpureus as sole feed for growing rabbit. Thirty-six cross-bred growing rabbits of mean weight 515 ±2.3g were used for the study. The animals were randomly allotted to 3 different treatments. The animals in T1 were fed S. guanensis only, while animals in T2 and T3 were fed solely on L. purpureus andsunflower leaf (control), respectively. Feed intake and weight gain were measured on daily and weekly basis respectively. The results showed that rabbits fed S. guanensis and L. purpureus compared favourably with those fed sunflower leaf in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The results also revealed that the nutrients digestibility (dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre) were also better in rabbit fed S. guanensis and L. purpureus. The dressing percent, lung weight, heart andkidney weight were not affected by the dietary treatment

Performance characteristics and nutrient utilization of grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temmnick) fed different levels of crude protein

A 120-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of protein in the diet of growing grass-cutter on performance characteristics and nutrient digestibility. Thirty-six growing grasscutters of mean weight 520.56+ 8.9g were allotted to dietary protein levels of 14, 16, 18 and 20% crude protein (CP) of Iso-caloric level of 2600KcalMekg. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cost per weight gain, and nutrient digestibility. Increasing dietary protein levels from 14 to 20% significantly increased the dry-matter feed intake and weight gain (P<0.05). The best feed efficiency and lowest cost per weight gain were recorded in growing grass-cutter fed diet containing 16%CP. The nutrients digestibility improved as the level of protein in the diet increased from 14 to 20%. Dressing percentage followed the same trend. Based on these findings, 16% crude protein could be suggested for improved performance of growing grass-cutter in the tropics

The tolerance levels of Calcium:Phosphorus in the diet of growing grass-cutters

Calcium and phosphorus are important nutrients required for bone formation and they are important constituents of the skeleton and teeth. A twelve weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of Calcium: Phosphorus in the diet of grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) on the performance characteristics of grass-cutters. The grass-cutters were randomly allotted to 3 different treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The trial consisted of 3 treatments (G1 – G3) and each treatment was replicated 3 times with 3 grass-cutters per replicate. Grass-cutters in Treatment 1 (G1) were fed a diet containing Ca:P in ratio of 0.5: 0.25 while in Treatment 2 (G2) and Treatment 3 (G3), the grass-cutter were fed diet containing Ca:P in ratio of 1:0.5 and 1.5:0.75 respectively. The parameters measured were feed intake, weight gain .Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were calculated. The highest weight gain was recorded in the diet containing 1.5 %Ca and 0.75%P. The feed intake increased as the level of Ca :P in the diet increased . It was observed that there was no poor bone formation, enlargement of the joints, lameness and stiffness across the treatments. Calcium and phosphorus intake increased as the level of Ca :P in the diet increased in the diet. Calcium and Phosphorus digestibility were not significantly affected by the treatment effect (P>0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was not significantly affected the treatment effect Based on the present results, grass-cutter can tolerate 0.5 - 1.5 calcium and phosphorus between 0.25-0.75% in the diet.Keywords: Calcium, feed utilization, Nutrients digestibility, phosphorus, Thryononomys swinderianu

Performance of broilers’ finishers fed graded levels of Cassava peel -maggot meal- based diet mixtures

The cost of maize is high due to competition between man and livestock hence there is need to look for alternatives. The project was conducted to determine the performance of broiler finisher fed cassava peel -maggot meal mixture as partial or total replacement for maize. Thirty birds each were randomly allotted to each of 4 dietary treatments, replicated thrice in a completely randomized design in which the maize fraction of the diet was replaced at 0%, 50%, 75% and 100% by cassava peel maggot- meal mixture (CPMM). The ratio of dry cassava peel to maggot meal was 4:1. Parameters measured or calculated include feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and cost per weight gain. The resultsshowed that feed intake increased with increased level of CPMM in the diet (P<0.05). Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were similar in broiler fed control diet (0% CPMM) and 50% CPMM. Cost per weight reduced from N131.81 (0% CPMM) to N76.69 (100% CPMM). Cassava peel-maggot meal mixture could be included up to 50% as replacement for maize in the diet of broiler finisher in order to reduce the total feed cost

The use of chicken egg shell as an alternative source of calcium in the diet of cockerel chickens.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of replacing oyster shell fraction in the diet of growing-finishing cockerel chickens partially or wholly with eggshell. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) 8 weeks old Harco cockerel chicken of mean weight 515.78 ± 3. 8g were used for the feeding trial that lasted for ten weeks. The birds were allotted to four dietary treatments in which oyster shell fraction of the diet was replaced at 0% (T1), 50% (T2), 75% (T3), and 100% (T4). Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The diets were formulated to contain about 16% crude protein and energy of about 2600 kcal/kgME. Variables measured were feed intake, weight gain. Feed efficiency, dressing percentage and cost /weight gain were calculated. The results showed that the mean feed intake and weight gain were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by varying levels of eggshell in the diet. The efficiency of feed utilization was relatively similar (P>0.05) in all the treatments. Dressing percentage and organs weight were relatively similar in all the treatments (P>0.05). The total feed cost and cost per weight gain reduced as the level of oyster shell in the diet increased. The highest cost per weight gain of N145.35 was recorded in T1 while the lowest cost per weight gain of N133.89 was recorded in cockerel fed diet containing 100% eggshell as replacement for oyster shell fraction of the diet. It could be concluded that eggshell could replace oyster shell up to 100% in the diet of growing finishing cockerels at reduced cost.Keywords: Cockerel chicken, egg shell, feed utilization, oyster shell, replacement

Utilization of noodle waste as replacement for maize in the diets of growing snails

Maize is a major source of energy. It is expensive because of competition between man, animal and a strong demand for it by the manufacturing/industrial sector. Noodle waste (NW) (a by-product from the wheat noodle processing industry) which attracts little/ almost zero cost was used to replace the maize fraction of the diet of snails with the intent of reducing feed cost. A total of 120 growing snails (Archachatina marginata) of mean weight 73.42 ± 2.5g of about 3 months of age were used for the feeding trial. Four diets were formulated to contain NW at 0% (N1) as the Control, 50% (N2), 75% (N3) and 100% (N4) as replacement for maize in the diet of growing snails. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used for the trial and each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 snails per replicate. The diets were formulated to contain about 24% crude protein and energy of 2400 kcal/kgME. Feed intake and weight gain were calculated. Shell length, thickness and width were measured. Feed conversion ratio was calculated as the ratio of feed intake to weight gain. Feed cost and cost per weight gain were also calculated. Carcass analysis was carried out at the end of the feeding trial. Significant differences were observed in the mean total feed intake of the snails fed diets containing varied levels of NW (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio was not significantly different (P>0.05) across the treatments. The dressing percent of the snails was relatively the same in all the treatments (P>0.05). The results of cost analysis showed that cost /kg feed and total feed cost reduced as the level of NW in the diet increased. The lowest cost/weight gain was recorded in the diet containing 75% NW as replacement for maize while the highest cost/weight gain was recorded in the diet containing 100%NW. It was concluded that NW could replace maize fraction of the diet up to 75% without any adverse effect on performance. This replacement reduced cost markedlyKey words: Dressing Cost/weight gain, dressing percentage, feed efficiency, rice noodle waste, snails

Performance of different breeds of snails under the same management conditions

No Abstract

Response of growing snails (Archachatina marginata) to diets containing quality protein maize

The study was designed to determine the effects of inclusion of quality protein maize (QPM) as substitute for normal maize in the diet of growing snails on feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency, shell growth, and carcass composition. A total of one hundred and twenty growing snails of relatively the same size were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments and each treatment was replicated 4 times with 10 snails per replicate. The experimental design was completely randomized design. Three diets were formulated to contain 3 different types of maize in equal proportion. Diet 1 (T1) which contained the normal maize (TZBP), Diet 2 (T2) contained QPM (ART/98/SW5/OB) while Diet 3 (T1) contained QPM (ART/98/SW6/OB). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean feed intake of snails fed the experimental diets. The lowest feed intake of 1192.33g was recorded in the treatment containing normal maize (T1) compared to 1241.40g and 1246.72g recorded in the treatments containing QP1 (T2) and QP2 (T3). The highest weight gain of 303.34g was recorded in T3 which was relatively similar to T2 while the lowest weight gain of 258.08g was recorded in T1 (P<0.05) containing normal maize. The feed efficiency was better in the diet that contained high quality protein maize (P<0.05), the feed conversion ratio of 4.62 was recorded in snails fed normal maize while 4.10 and 4.11 was recorded in diet 2 and diet 3 containing quality protein maize. The results of the carcass evaluation revealed that the dressing percentage of the snails was significantly influenced by dietary treatments (P<0.05). The dressing percentage of 41.89% was recorded in T2 while the lowest of 38.67 was recorded in T1. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in offal/live weight (%) and shell/live weight (%) of the snails in all the treatments. The results of chemical composition of the foot (fleshy part) show that the crude protein of the meat was relatively similar across the treatments (P>0.05). Based on the present results of the weight gain, feed efficiency, dressing percentage and chemical composition of the meat, quality protein maize is nutritionally efficient and better than normal maize in the diet of growing snails.Key words: Dressing percentage, feed utilization, quality protein maize, shell growth, snail

Utilization Of Cassava and Pawpaw Diets By Growing Snails

Two hundred and twenty five (225) growing snails of an average weight of 70g were used for the feeding trial, with five dietary treatments. The trial lasted fourteen weeks. The diets were isonitrogenous (18.30% crude protein) and Isocaloric (2500kcal/kg M. E). The treatments were T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. The rations had 10% inclusion of pawpaw leaf (T2) Unripe Pawpaw fruit (T3), Cassava peel (T4) cassava leaf (T5). The treatment without the inclusion of pawpaw and cassava meal served as the control treatment (T1). Snails in (T2), had the best performance in terms of daily weight gain (3.65g), efficiency of feed utilization (0.49) and feed to gain ratio (2.02), closely followed by T4 (ration with 10% cassava peel meal); T5, T3 and T1 (control treatment). Feed intake in all the treatments was not depressed. Feed intake was generously enhanced in T4 and T5, revealing that the inclusion of cassava peel and leaf enhanced feed intake. The high feed intake in T4 and T5 affected the feed to gain ratio and efficiency of feed utilization. Feed to gain ratio values of 4.18, 2.02, 1.85, 6.13 and 6.29 for (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) showed that T2 and T3 were the best, this also reflected in the efficiency of feed utilization, which showed that T2 and T T3 were the most efficient. It could be concluded that the inclusion of parts of cassava and pawpaw in the rations of growing snails, had positive impact on the growth and performance indices. In terms of rating, pawpaw leaf and cassava peel inclusion were ahead of pawpaw fruit and cassava leaf. All the plant parts were valuable, because all the treatments were better than the control. Snail farmers are encouraged to adopt the utilization of pawpaw and cassava parts in snail feeding, because of their availability and affordability. Key words: Cassava, pawpaw, growing snails Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol.2(2) 2004: 84-8