Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of inclusion of dry yam peel (YP) on performance characteristics and cost benefits of growing snails. Yam peel was included at 0% (YP₁) control, 25% (YP₂), 50% (YP₃) and 75% (YP₄) as replacement for maize fraction of diet of juvenile snails. Each dietary treatment was replicated thrice with 8 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured were feed intake, weight gain, shell length and width. Feed conversion ratio was calculated. Significant difference was observed in the mean total weight gain (P < 0.05). The highest mean weekly weight gain of 10.25 g was recorded in YP₁ which was not significant (P > 0.05) different from YP₃. The lowest mean weekly weight gain of 7.26 g was recorded in snail fed highest level of YP in the diet (YP₄). The result of feed efficiency shows that snails fed 0.0%YP had the best feed efficiency (P < 0.05) which was almost similar to YP₃. The highest dressing percentage of 43.56% was recorded in YP₁ (P < 0.05) which was not significantly different from 42.56 and 41.99% in YP₂ and YP₃ respectively. The highest cost per weight gain of N226.75 was recorded in YP₄ while the lowest cost per weight gain of N196.56 was recorded in snail fed diet containing 50% YP as replacement for maize fraction of the diet. It could be concluded that weight gain, feed efficiency and dressing percentage were relatively similar in the snails fed control diet and 50% YP as replacement for maize fraction of the diet and that the lowest cost per weight gain was recorded in YP₃ containing 50% YP.  Hence maize fraction of the diet of snails could be replaced up to 50% with yam peel for feed cost reduction.

Key words: Cost/weight gain, dressing percentage, feed intake, weight gain, snails, yam peel.