Effect of hen’s egg shell in breeding substratum on growth meat yield of African giant snail Archachatina marginata (Swaison, 1821)

In order to contribute to growth performances of the African giant snail Archachatina marginata in breeding stock, a study was carried out to determine the effect of hen egg shells on the growth and the meat yield of this snail species. Thus, juvenils of approximately one week old, were bred during 80 weeks over six different substratums. These substratums were differentiated according to their content in hen’s egg shell powder (0; 5; 10; 20; 30 and 40 %). The results indicate an improvement of the ponderal and shelly growths with the importance of the concentration of floured egg shells in the breeding substratum. Best average live weights (318.3 g, 322.g and 319.6 g) and average lengths of shells (147.1 mm, 148.3 and 152.9 mm) at the end of 80 breeding weeks were obtained respectively at substratum amendment rates of 20%, 30%, and 40%. The increase in the amendment rate of the substratum in this calcic source has also involved an increase in the total quantity of meat from 61.3 g on the compost not amended to 88.2 g on the substratum containing 30% of the calcic source. However, it should be noted a reduction in the proportion of consumable flesh from 28.8 to 26.96%.