PERFORMANCE OF BROILER FED WITH KUHOL MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIET

A Research Proposal

Presented to the Faculty of College of Agriculture and Fisheries

Capiz State University, Pontevedra Campus

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements

For the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major in Animal Science

By:

Eric R. Bolina

February 2021
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Modern chicken breeds are the result of billions of years of evolution by means of natural

selection, on which artificial selection for a commercial objective has been applied. By far, the

greatest progress made in chicken genetics since their domestication has been witnessed in the

latter half of the twentieth century, since the advent of industrial scale agriculture (Schmidt et al.

2009). This can be attributed to developments made in quantitative genetics and the success of its

commercial application (Siegel and Dunnington, 1997).

Broiler breeding methods can be summarised in the following steps: at the highest level,

the pure-breeding lines are owned and controlled by the breeding companies. These lines are

subjected to full scale selection programs; it is from these lines that all of a company’s broiler

products have descended (Muir and Aggrey, 2003).

Apple snails potentially constitute a valuable source of food in Southeast Asia for

poultry, ducks, pigs, fish, prawns and frogs for human consumption. Ducks will eat live snails,

including their shells. However, for other livestock species, snail meal without the shells, created

via silage, must be used. In general, only a portion of the normal diet should be replaced by snail

meal because of the possible lower protein content and poorer amino acid profile compared to

the normal high quality fish meal diet. The potential for snail meal to contain contaminants and

pathogens may mean that sanitary procedures should be implemented. Evaluations of the

economics of using snail meal as well as the performance of livestock fed on snail meal are

needed (Heuze & Tan).

 This experiment will have conducted to found out the effects of the golden apple snail to

the nutrients of the broiler chickens. Instead of the starter pellets, the researcher used golden

apple snail or ‘kuhol’ (Pomacea canaliculata), in order to reduce the cost of feeding the broiler

chicken, to implement the environmental method feeding and improve the poultry livelihood.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, the study will have examined the effects of golden apple snail meal on the

performance of broiler feed chicken.

Specifically, the study was conducted to:

Determine the effects of golden apple snail supplemented diet on the performance of

broiler chicken in terms of:

a. feed consumption

b. weight gain

c. feed conversion efficiency, and

d. dressing percentage

Significance of the Study

The results of the study become beneficial to the following stakeholders:

Farmers

They made aware of the benefits of golden apple snail meal as protein source supplement

rather than the starter pellet on the performance of broiler chickens.

Research and Extension Agents

It can help strengthen technology acceptance and application among farmers clientele and

to pursue the enhancement of using natural ways in poultry experiments.

Agriculture Students and Faculty

Results of the study can be good source of reference of knowledge and skills that

promote and push onward the value and importance of making golden apple snail environment

friendly.

Time and Place of the Study

This study will have conducted from February 2020 to March 2021 at the Poultry House

of Capiz State University, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study will have limited only to the performance of broilers using golden apple snail

meal mix to homemade ration. The treatments were limited using on the starter and grower ration

of broiler chicken.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are operationally defined to provide readers a clear understanding of

the study:

Broiler is a meat type chicken breed and raised specifically for meat production, either

for about 6-7 weeks of age and ready for table consumption.

Commercial Feed refers to the readily mixed feed sold in the market use in control.

Dressing percentage refers to the parameter of the study determined by dividing the

dressed weight of the birds excluding giblets (liver, heart, and gizzard) by the weight of the birds

before dressed.

Feed formulation is the process of quantifying the amounts of feed ingredients that

needs to be combined to form a single uniform mixture diet.

 Golden apple snail meal (GASM) is coming from a mollusc popularly known as golden

kuhol which is a potential source of protein. In this study, collected fresh golden kuhol were

sundried, crushed, ground and mixed in broiler balanced feed ration.

Home-made ration (HMR) refers to feed ingredients combined to form a single uniform

mixture (diet) for poultry that supplies the entire nutritional requirement of broilers.

Performance used as the body weight of meat of the broiler chicken or the size of their

growth.

Weight gain refers to the increase in weight of the live birds, determined by subtracting

the initial weight from the final weight.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter includes ideas, research findings, generalizations, published and unpublished

theories and discussions on related literature and studies, which provides relevant facts about the

effects of Golden apple snail supplemented diet towards the performance of Broiler feed chicken.

That helps in familiarizing information that is relevant and similar to the present study.

Related Literature

Feed consumption and body weight of Broiler chickens

There are a number of factors that influence voluntary feed intake. These are discussed in

the section on feed intake. Table 1 provides data on typical feed consumption and body weight

for modern broiler chickens in relation to age and sex.

Table 1. Body weight and cumulative feed consumption for male and female broilers
Male Female
Cumulative Cumulative
Age  (weeks) Body weight (g) Body weight (g)
Feed Intake (g) Feed Intake (g)
0 40 0 40 0
1 170 150 165 145
2 450 480 420 460
3 865 1120 780 1030
4 1410 2020 1250 1825
5 2250 3200 1750 2830
6 2700 4500 2300 4020
7 3350 6000 2800 5400
8 3900 7400 3300 6800
9 4400 8800 3700 8200
Source: Poultry CRC
Nutrient levels for broiler diets
Feeding strategies for broiler chickens will vary depending on the target market for

the final product. Strategies for feeding broilers destined for the whole bird market will differ

from strategies for broilers destined to be sold as pieces. Furthermore, the nutrient intake of
fast growing broilers must be carefully controlled to prevent metabolic diseases such as

ascites and leg weakness. Table 2 provides data on typical levels of selected nutrients for

broiler diets (Poultry Hub, 2020).

Table 2. Examples of broiler diets

Starter Grower Finisher
Nutrients Units
0-10 days 11-24 days >25 days
Protein % 22-25 21-23 19-21
Mj/Kg 12.60 13.30 13.50
Metabolisable energy
Kcal/kg 3010 3175 3225
Total Arginine % 1.48 1.31 1.11
Digestible Arginine % 1.33 1.18 1.00
Total Lysine % 1.44 1.25 1.05
Digestible Lysine % 1.27 1.10 0.92
Total Methionine % 0.51 0.45 0.39
Digestible Methionine % 0.47 0.42 0.36
Total Methionine +Cystine % 1.09 0.97 0.83
Digestible Methionine
% 0.94 0.84 0.72
+Cystine
Total Threonine % 0.93 0.82 0.71
Digestible Threonine % 0.80 0.70 0.61
Total Trypophan % 0.25 0.22 0.19
Digestible Tryptophan % 0.22 0.19 0.17
Total Valine % 1.09 0.96 0.81
Digestible Valine % 0.94 0.83 0.70
Calcium % 1.0 0.90 0.85
Av.phosphorous % 0.50 0.45 0.42
Sodium % 0.16 0.16 0.16

Golden Snail as Supplement Feeds for Farm Animals

The golden apple snail (Pomacea Tcanalicuta), locally known as golden kuhol, was first

introduced into Philippine farms in 1983 with the hope of providing additional protein source for

dietary improvement of many poor families. But its promising potential turned into a menace for

farmers when the golden apple snail became a prolific pest on rice fields. It grows and increases

rapidly, voraciously feeding on any succulent greens that include newly transplanted rice
seedlings. It destroys farms, livelihood, and has become a burden to rice production (Entre

Pinoys, 2013).

Converting Golden kuhol into useful feeds

The opportunity of converting golden kuhol into useful feeds also saves a lot of money

for our farmers, as they do not have to buy expensive molluscicide to control it, making it

environment-friendly. Likewise, by converting the snails into feed supplements the farmers

spend less for expensive feeds for their livestock and poultry. This likewise reduces the need for

imported fishmeal feeds and save the country’s foreign exchange (Entre Pinoys, 2013).

Nutritional Content of Golden Apple Snail

Golden snail eggs contain high levels of minerals; macro-micro and total carotenoids

were high. High calcium content in eggs snails for their shells on golden snail eggs. Eggs snails

of Macro minerals from the highest to the lowest are calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus,

and magnesium. Micro minerals in eggs snails contain from the highest to the lowest, namely

copper, iron, and zinc. Total carotenoids golden snail eggs are higher than carrots of various

hybrid eggs Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) (Nurjanah et al. 2019).

Related Studies

Golden Apple Snail as Feed Supplement to the Animals

The golden apple snail (GAS) was introduced in the Philippines in 1980s as food for

human and farm animals and later turned into a destructive invasive species especially in rice

fields. The feasibility of the golden apple snail as an alternative protein source has been tested

for tilapia, shrimp and prawn. This study determined the growth performance of rabbitfish,
Siganus guttatus using GAS meal as protein source in terms of growth parameters, survival rates

(SR), feeding efficiency and economic viability of formulated feeds used. The experiment

consisted of four treatments (T1- control diet; T2- test diet with 15% CP; T3-test diet with 30%

CP; T4-test diet with 45% CP) that was replicated three times over a period of 120 days. Each

cage was stocked with 60 pcs fry and set up in a randomized completely block design. This study

revealed that utilization of GAS meal with 45% crude protein (CP) as protein source for S.

guttatus can replace or substitute fish meal for more than two months at a cheaper cost. For better

results of formulated feeds, pre-mixed vitamins and minerals must be added. Key Words: golden

apple snail meal, alternative protein source, Siganus guttatus culture, feeds, economic viability,

growth performance, Romblon, Philippines (Visca and Palla, 2018).

Appearance of Broiler That Given Golden Apple Snail Meat (Pomacea canaliculata) Flour

The giving of golden snail meat flour (Pomacea canaliculata) in broiler chicken rations

has a very significant effect on increasing weight gain, final body weight, and decreasing FCR

(Feed Conversion Ratio) and significantly influencing the consumption of rations, giving golden

snail meat flour in rations can increase weight gain and final body weight (Jawa et al. 2020).

Use of Golden Snail as Animal Feed in the Philippines

The golden snail is introduced to the Philippines in early 80's for culture as food source.

This herbivorous snail, a voracious feeder of live and fresh plant materials become a serious rice

pest. Its elimination in the ecosystems is impossible. To use them as animal feed is much better

alternative for their control and more environmentally friendly than the use of chemicals. Thus,

this mini review paper aimed to collate any existing information on the use of golden snail as

animal feed. The different meal forms that can be extracted are golden snail meal (30 % calcium

and 15 % crude protein), golden snail meat meal (62 % crude protein and 3336 kcal/kg) and
golden shell meal (35 % calcium). Feeding trials indicate that golden snail meal can be a part of

swine and chicken layer diets up to 15 %. Golden snail meat meal can be a part of broiler

chicken diet up to 12 %. Feeding fresh and ground golden snail to ducks can replace 50 % of

their diet under total confinement system. Whereas, golden snail meat meal (75 % of the diet)

and rice bran can be beneficially fed to tilapia. With the information collated, golden snail can be

a promising animal feed in the Philippines (Serra, 2020).

Apple snails as Animal Feed

Biomass derived from apple snails is a valuable substitute for more traditional protein

sources for poultry, pigs, fish and prawns raised for human consumption. Snail meat is rich in

protein and similar to fish meal of moderate quality. Feeding ducks with live snails or fresh snail

meat seems particularly efficient from both a nutritional and an economic perspective. In other

livestock species, snail meat can usually replace a portion of the fish meal. However, full

substitution is not generally advisable, possibly because of the lower protein content and

(possibly) poorer amino acid profile of snail meat compared to good quality fish meal. The

potential presence of contaminants and pathogens may be a concern and require sanitary control

procedures. Due to the variability of snail products, analysis of locally available snail meat is

recommended. An economic evaluation of feeding snails is also necessary, since the benefits of

using snails depend on their price, which may include the labour cost (collection, cooking, shell

removal) when snails are purchased, on the price of competing protein sources (fish meal or meat

and bone meal) and on the expected performance of animals fed on snail-based diets (Heuze &

Tan).

According to McDonald et al. (2002), the protein content and the quality of Fresh Golden

apple snail are two important factors that require attention when golden apple snail is used as
protein source for growing fattening pigs under farm conditions. A golden apple snail is an ideal

protein source for livestock because of the high content of the essential of amino acids that

animal require for their growth, especially lysine and methionine.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Materials

The materials that will be used in conducting this study are: 120 broiler chicks, golden

apple snail (kuhol), rearing pens, feeding and watering troughs, brooder house, incandescent

bulb, electrical wiring, disinfectant, newspaper and weighing scales.

Methods

Source of Experimental Animals

A total of 120 chicks will be purchased from Cal’s Poultry Supply in Roxas City (22

kilometres away from the experimental site) will be used to conduct the study.

Preparation of Brooder and Brooding Management

The brooder will be arranged one week before the start of conducting this study and this

will be made of wood and chicken wire. A dimension of 1 meter wide by 1 meter high will be

constructed to accommodate the 120 broiler chicks.

Four pieces of 50-watt incandescent bulb will be installed at brooding pen to ensure the

comfort of the chicks in 14 days of brooding period. For the feeding process, newspaper was

used to place the feeds so it was easily accessible for the chicks. Generous amount of fresh water

was provided at all times. Chick booster mash was fed ad libitum during the brooding stage of

the animals.

Rearing Management

Rearing pens will be made of lumber and bamboo slats and will be prepared before the

brooding stage end. Each bird will have provided with 1ft by 1ft flooring space requirement. The
rearing pens will have disinfected with soluble solution (Major D) before the animals will be

transferred. A total of 120 birds will have distributed into four treatments duplicated three times.

Feeding and watering troughs will have installed in each rearing pens. Home-made ration of

golden apple snail meal will be fed daily in ad libitum until the end of the study.

Feeding Management

The animals will be fed in ad libitum basis. Commercial feeds mixes with golden apple

snail will be given to the experimental animals during rearing period until the termination of the

study. Gradual shifting of feeds to other types of ration will have applied to the animals to avoid

gastrointestinal complications.

Experimental Procedures

Experimental Design

This study will be done in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four different

treatments duplicated three times. The design was appropriate for experiments with homogenous

experiment units and it will be used for livestock and poultry experiment were environmental

factors are controlled.

Experimental Treatment

This study will have limited to find out the effects of golden apple snail meal as protein

source supplement on the performance of broiler chicken.

Figure 1: Experimental Design arranged in Completely Randomize Design (CRD) showing the

assignment of different treatments

Legend:

Treatment 1- Control

Treatment 2- 5% of golden apple snail + 95% Home-made ration

Treatment 3- 10% of golden apple snail + 90% Home-made ration

Treatment 4- 15% of golden apple snail + 85% Home-made ration

 Data Gathering Procedures

Feed Consumption

The average feed consumption of birds in each treatment will be determined by

subtracting the amount of feed refuse from the amount of feed given and divided the result by the

number of birds per treatment.

Formula:
Amount of Feed Given – Feed Refuse
Average Consumption = Number of Birds per Treatment

Weight Gain

The data on weight gain will be computed by weighing the final weight of the birds and

subtracted by the initial weight of the birds. The average will be determined through this

formula.

Formula:
Final Weight – Initial Weight
Average Weight Gain= Number of Birds per Replication
Feed Conversion Efficiency

The feed conversion efficiency will be determined by dividing the total feed consumed

by the corresponding total weight gain.

Formula:
Total Feed Consumed per Treatment
Feed Conversion Efficiency = Total Gain in Weight per Treatment

Dressing Percentage

The dressing percentage (full dressed) will be determined by dividing the dressed

weight of the birds (excluding giblets, liver, heart, and gizzard) by the weight of live birds before

dressing.
Formula:
Carcass Weight
Dressing Percentage (%) = X 100
Live Weight

Statistical Tools and Analysis

Data will be analysed using the Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR)

software and using Least Significant Difference (LSD) Test.

 References

Tallentire, C.W., Leinonen, I. & Kyriazakis, I. Breeding for efficiency in the broiler chicken: A

review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 36, 66 (2016).

Valérie Heuzé and Gilles Tran, Apple snails as animal feed.

Poultry CRC. 08 Feb 2020. Poultry Hub: Nutrient requirements of meat chickens (broilers).

Visca and Palla. 26 April 2018. Golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata meal as protein source

for rabbit fish, Siganus guttatus culture.

Entre Pinoys. 28 November 2013. Agri: Golden Snail as Supplement Feeds for Farm Animals.

Nurjanah, Nurhayati T, Hidayat T, Meiliawati M. A. Profile of Macro-Micro Mineral and

Carotenoids in Pomacea Canaliculata. Curr Res Nutr Food Sci 2019; 7(1).

Jawa et al. , 26 April 2020. The Appearance of Broiler That Given Golden Apple Snail Meat

(Pomacea canaliculata) Flour as Replacement of Fish Flour. Vol. 4 No. 1 (2020).

Serra AB, 2020, DOAJ: Use of Golden Snail as Animal Feed in the Philippines, Vol. 15. no. 1

pp. 40 – 43.

Valérie Heuzé and Gilles Tran, Apple snails as Animal Feed.