Growth Performance of Archachatina Marginata Bred on the Substrate Amended with Industrial Calcium: Mikhart

This study aims to improve growth and meat production of snail Archachatina marginata bred on substrates amended with Mikhart an industrial source of calcium. Spats of approximately one week old were reared for 80 weeks on six types of substrates amended with Mikhart at different doses (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 %). During the rearing period, snails were individually weighed and measured every two weeks. At the end of the breeding period, proportions of the different parts (tissue and shell) have been determined. The best growth weight (0.64 g/d) and shell production (0.28 mm/d) were recorded on the substrate containing 30 % of the calcium source (Mikhart). There is an improvement in the snails growth rate with an increase in Mikhart rate in the culture substrate until a Mikhart incorporation 30 % beyond which a decrease of both growth and meat production are observed. In addition, the mortality rate decreased with the augmentation on the calcium content of the substrate.