GROWTH AND MEAT QUALITY OF RHODE ISLAND RED CHICKEN (Gallus gallus domesticus

L.) THROUGH VARIED LEVELS OF GOLDEN APPLE SNAIL MEAL (Pomacaea canaliculata L.)
SUPPLEMENTATION

JOSHUA A. CARREON
MARVIN M. COMINGUEZ

A Thesis Proposal
Submitted to the Faculty of the
College of Agriculture and Forestry
Mindanao State University at Naawan
9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental
In partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the
Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Major in Animal Science (Animal Production)

May 2024
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Rationale

In the Philippines, Pomacea canaliculata, also referred to as the golden apple snail or kuhol locally, has

been introduced as a high-protein food source (Noriel et al 2000). Therefore, the introduction of the apple

snail was well-intentioned, as it was thought to boost farmers' incomes; yet, it turned out to be a major

rice pest. Farmers have used a variety of control strategies. Collected and processed golden apple snails

can serve as a valuable additional source of protein in feed diets, supplementing other animal protein

sources. (Ulep and Santos 1995; Caguan and Joshi, 2022). By exploiting them as food for animals,

invasive snail species—like the golden apple snail—can regulate their growth and environmental impact.

According to ( Niepez, R et al.,) in the Philippines, Pomacea canaliculata, also referred to as the golden

apple snail or kuhol locally, has been introduced as a high-protein food source (Noriel et al 2000).

Therefore, the introduction of the apple snail was well-intentioned, as it was thought to boost farmers'

incomes; yet, it turned out to be a major rice pest. Farmers have used a variety of control strategies.

Collected and processed golden apple snails can serve as a valuable additional source of protein in feed

diets, supplementing other animal protein sources. (Ulep and Santos 1995; Caguan and Joshi, 2022). By

exploiting them as food for animals, invasive snail species—like the golden apple snail—can regulate

their growth and environmental impact.

Broiler chicken farming is one of the most profitable livestock businesses . Broiler chickens are reared in

expansive, unconfined edifices referred to as houses, wherein they freely roam, investigate, ingest

sustenance, and socialize with their fellow chickens. Certain chickens, such as those classified as free-

range, possess differing degrees of access to outdoor environments, contingent upon the preferences of

the farmer. The arrival of broiler chickens at the farm is synchronized, with all chickens originating from

the same hatchery, in order to uphold and preserve biosecurity standards on the farm.

With a crude protein level that is approximately identical to fishmeal, golden apple snail meal has the

potential to be the most promising source of protein for raising livestock and poultry. To fully comprehend

the effect of golden snail feed on Rhode Island Red chickens growth performance and meat quality, more

investigation is needed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to ascertain how different concentrations of
golden apple snail meal substitute, Pomacea canaliculata (GAS), affected the growth performance and

meat quality of Rhode Island Red chickens.

1.2 Objectives of the study

1.2.1 General objective

To evaluate the growth performance and meat quality of Rhode Island Red chickens (Gallus gallus

domesticus L.) fed with different levels of Golden Apple Snail Meal (Pomacaea caniculata L.).

1.2.2. Specific objectives

Specifically, this research aims:

1. To determine the growth performance of broiler chickens, including parameters such as

feed intake, average daily gain, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio, while being

fed with varying levels of Golden Apple Snail Meal (Pomacaea caniculata L.).

2. To assess the physicochemical meat quality and organoleptic characteristics of broiler

chicken meat under varying levels of Golden Apple Snail Meal (Pomacaea caniculata L.).

1.3 Significance of the study

This study provides information of using Golden Apple Snail Meal as a protein source of Rhode island red

chicken diets. It might shed light on a more affordable, environmentally friendly, and locally accessible

choice for chicken feed. An option like this might improve the growth and meat quality of Rhode island red

chickens, which would benefit nearby farmers by making broiler chicken farming more profitable.

Additionally, utilizing Golden apple snail species can addressed the problem of our local farmers to their

rice farms and natural waterways.

1.4 Scope and limitation of the study

growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens and examined various levels of Golden apple

snail meal inclusion (10-20%) on the feed intake, average daily gain, body weight gain, feed conversion

ratio, physicochemical, and organoleptic characteristics of Rhode island red chickens. This study does not

extend to other carcass characteristics parameters such as dressing percentage, primal cuts, and organ

weight.

1.5. Definition of terms

Rhode Island Red refers to a chicken that is used as dependent variable in the study.

Growth performance refers to the measurement of the animals height, size of the body, average daily

gain, and body weight gain.

Meat quality refers to the characteristics of chicken meat, such as texture, flavour, and juiciness, which

influence its culinary value.

Golden Apple Snail Meal is a protein source species and used as independent variable in the study.
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERETURE
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Site and duration

The experiment was conducted at the poultry house of MSU-Aggieville of College of

Agriculture and Forestry, Simanok, Naawan, Misamis Oriental. The poultry house is

approximately 50 meters away from the national highway and 1.5 meters away from a fishpond

(Figure 1). The area has a climate of dry and rainy season and uncertain weather patterns.

The study was conducted in 70 days excluding the 21 days brooding period.
3.2. Materials and equipment

In the study, the materials used for housing were; Net, Bamboo, metal roof, and coco lumber. A total

of fourty eight day old chicks rhode island red were obtain and allocated in a free-range type of

Housing after brooding period. To evaluate the result of the study, we need weighing scale for the

precised measurement of the chickens weight. Centrifuge was used for determining the water

holding capacity. Digital pH meter to determined the pH level of breast meat. Test tube were also

required for storing these samples.

3.3. Treatments of the study

There were four treatments in the study and the feed composition for each treatment was

determined and is presented in Table 1. Treatment 1 (T1) served as the control group, Treatment 2

(T2) was 10% GASM, Treatment 3 (T3) was 15% GASM, while Treatment 4 (T4) was 20% GASM.

3.4. Experimental design and layout

The study was conducted in a free range type of Housing and a total of fourty eight day old chicks

rhode island red were distributed in four cages following a completely randomized design (CRD).

The dimension of house area was 16m x 8m and divided into four cages measured 8m x 4m (L x W)

and the post height was 8m x 5m (Table 2), with a stocking density of 12 heads per cage.

3.5. Golden Apple Snail collection and preparation

Misamis Oriental. Before rice was transplanted, the snails were gathered to make sure they were

free of artificial chemicals and pesticide residue. The gathered snails were allowed to rid themselves

of any harmful materials for two days while being kept in a large pail filled with water (Ulep and

Santos 1995). The meat and shell of the purged snails were separated after they were cooked for

ten minutes at 100°C. The meat of the golden apple snail was sun-dried for two to three days, or

until its moisture content was below ten percent (Usman et al 2007).Using a hammermill, the dried

golden apple snail meat was pulverised and then sieved through a 3 mm stainless steel screen.

3.6. Housing and cages