Abstract

In a completely randomized design, a total of 120 growing snails of mean weight 156.69 ± 3.4 g were used to investigate the effect of partial replacement of maize with cocoa bean shell (CBS) for growing snail for 20 weeks. There were five treatments and three replicates of 8 snails each. The diets contained 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% CBS in partial replacement of maize and designated T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄and T₅ respectively. The parameters taken were weight gain, feed intake from which feed conversion ratio was calculated. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the values obtained for mean weekly weight gain and mean weekly feed intake. Meanwhile, the values for 10.0% CBS based diets were comparable to control. The feed conversion ratio was similar across the treatments. Values obtained for mean weekly shell length increment, mean weekly shell width increment and mean weekly shell thickness increment were not affected by inclusion of CBS in the diets of snails. The values obtained for carcass characteristics of snail were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and so not affected by the treatment. Values obtained for organoleptic properties revealed no difference in flavour, after taste, mouth feel and general acceptability at 10% replacement level in comparison to control except for colour and texture. The inclusion of CBS up to 10% in the diets of snail had no detrimental effect on the performance, carcass characteristics and general acceptability of the snails. Based on the present results, cocoa bean shell could replace maize in the diet of snail up to 10%.

Keywords: growth, carcass values, organoletic properties, snail, cocoa bean shell.