Stocking Density and Calcium Diet: Effects on Achatina fulica Egg-Laying Performance | InformativeBD

Jean Baptiste Aman, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Soronikpo Soro, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Jean Didié Memel, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Kouassi Charles Kouadio, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire , and Otchoumou Atcho, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire.  wrote a Research Article about, Stocking Density and Calcium Diet: Effects on Achatina fulica Egg-Laying Performance. Entitled, The combined effect of stocking density and dietary calcium content on egg-laying performance of Achatina fulica. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB). an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate amount of dietary calcium to reduce the impact of density on laying performance in Achatina fulica. To do this, 1380 breeding animals were divided into 8 batches reared at different densities. For each rearing density, the breeding stock were classified into 4 sub-lots and fed diets differing in their calcium content. The reproductive performance of these breeders was determined and compared as a function of rearing density and dietary calcium level. The results showed that for a diet with a low calcium source content (10%), the density above 25 breeders per square metre led to a significant drop in the laying rate (13 ± 3.7% to 9.36 ± 4.13%) and the number of eggs per clutch (111.23 eggs/clutch to 98 eggs/clutch). However, for a diet with a high calcium source content (40%), the rearing density had virtually no impact on the reproductive performance of Achatina fulica. This study shows that, in order to make his facilities profitable, the farmer can place 40 breeders per square metre of rearing enclosure, provided that their feed contains sufficient calcium (40% oyster shell). 

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Introduction

Snail meat is a real source of animal protein, with an average content of 74.6% (Fabguaro et al., 2006), as well as essential amino acids such as lysine, leucine and phenylalanine (Otchoumou et al., 2010). It is also a valuable source of macronutrients and income for many households (Brescia and Chardonnet, 2002). Faced with increased pressure from the harvesting of these molluscs in West Africa and the destruction of their natural habitats, snail farming appears to be a necessary solution to compensate for seasonal deficits and ensure the survival of this animal species in the face of human activity (Otchoumou, 1997). Achatinidae farming therefore aims to progressively reduce this pressure by developing rational production techniques, including the development of effective diets and the determination of adequate stocking densities (Karamoko et al., 2011, Aman et al., 2023) to improve growth and optimal reproduction in these animals. Several studies have shown that overcrowding results in slower snail growth and poor reproductive performance.

This has been justified by the fact that overcrowding in snails leads to changes in food quality (Thomas et al., 1975) resulting from an accumulation of faeces and mucus in the food (Dan and Bailey 1982). This has been justified by the fact that overcrowding in snails leads to changes in food quality (Thomas et al., 1975) resulting from an accumulation of faeces and mucus in the food (Dan & Bailey 1982). High densities also lead to an increase in the amount of mucus secreted, making it difficult for snails to move around in search of food and to exploit the environment. The aim of the breeder, in order to make his facilities profitable, is to place as many breeding animals as possible per square metre of breeding enclosure, provided that this density does not cause any disturbance to the animals.

It was therefore with the aim of helping breeders to find solutions to the problem of stocking density that this study was initiated. The main objective of this work is to minimise the effect of overcrowding on laying performance through dietary calcium levels.

Reference

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