FATTENING OF JUVENILE SNAILS COLLECTED FROM THE WILD

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to identify juvenile snails collected from the wild and also examine the performance of growing snails (Archachatina marginata) fed with formulated feed (layer mash), pawpaw and watermelon peel in the domestication unit of the University of Benin teaching and research farm, Benin City Edo State. A total of eighty four (84) juvenile snails were purchased from New Benin Market situated in Benin City. The performances of the Archachatina marginata were assessed based on their weight gain. They were randomly allotted to 3 treatment groups (T1, T2 and, T3,), replicated three times. The treatment was pawpaw(T1), layer mash(T2), watermelon peel(T3). The feeding trials lasted for 7 weeks. The results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in weight gain . Snails fed with formulated feed chicken layer mash had a higher value than the snail fed with other diets (watermelon peel and pawpaw). The snail were carefully observed and mortalities recorded.