Evaluating Eggshell Waste as a Sustainable Calcium Source for Archachatina marganata : Implications for Carcass Quality

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of poultry eggshell waste on growth and carcass yield as a calcium source for Archachatina marginata. Four diets comprising 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% eggshell-derived calcium were given to ninety-six juvenile snails in a completely randomised design, with three replicates for each treatment. The dry matter of eggshells was composed of 36–38% calcium and 94–97% ash. Ash and calcium contents increased with increased dietary inclusion, while crude protein and energy levels slightly decreased. The 9% group exhibited the highest feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency, and growth performance improved significantly (p < 0.05) across supplemented diets. A trade-off between shell deposition and meat yield was evident in carcass traits, which showed increased shell weight with supplementation but decreased edible tissue and dressing percentage. According to these results, snails can obtain calcium sustainably from eggshell waste, with a 3–6% inclusion rate that maximises growth and strikes a balance between shell strength and edible output.

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