THE USE OF LEAF MEALS AS GROWTH PROMOTER IN SNAIL PRODUCTION

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the weight gain, feed efficiency and cost implication of snails fed diets containing growth promoters of a mixture of Neem leaf, Bitter leaf and Moringa leaf meal (NBM). The treatment groups were NBM1, NBM2, NBM3 and NBM4 which contained 0, 1, 2 and 3% inclusion of (NBM), respectively. The leaves were air-dried before incorporation with feed ingredients. The management practices were all the same in all the treatments. A completely randomized design was used for the trial and each treatment was replicated four times with 10 snails per replicate. Data were collected on growth performance and cost implications. Significant differences existed in the mean total feed intake of the snails fed a diet containing NBM. The highest Feed intake of 971.2 g was recorded in a diet containing 3% NBM which was not significantly (P>0.05) different from 969.1 g reported in a diet containing 2% NBM. The highest mean total weight of 286.49 g was recorded in NBM4 while the lowest total weight gain of 266.72 g was reported in the diet containing 0% NBM (P<0.05). The mean shell width also was not significantly influenced by dietary treatments and values ranged from 11.48 to 11.51. The cost per weight gain was lowest in snails (NBM4) (₦1,355.38) fed with 3% NBM inclusion and higher in those on 0% NBM1 (₦1,452.57). In conclusion, a 3% NBM enhanced the growth of snails and could be used as a growth promoter in the diet of snails.