Effects of Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata, Lamarck) Shell Particle Size on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Bone Strength and Small Intestinal Histology in Thai Native Chickens (Pradu Hang Dum Chiangmai 1)

To study whether the particle size of golden apple snail (Pomacea Canaliculata, Lamarck) shell induces negative effects on the growth performance, carcass quality, bone strength and small intestinal histology in Thai native chickens (Pradu Hang Dum Chiangmai 1), 192 chickens, both male and female, were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 12 chickens each at 5 weeks of age. The control group received limestone as a source of calcium. The experimental groups received diets containing golden apple snail shell particles, with sizes ranging from 0:50 to 1:00, from 1.00 to 1.70, and from 1.70 to 2.80 mm as a calcium source. Feed intake and weight were measured weekly, and carcass quality, tibial bone strength and small intestinal histology were observed at 16 weeks of age. The data of growth performance, carcass quality, tibial bone strength and small intestinal histology did not present negative results after feeding any of the golden apple snail shell sizes. On the contrary, a slightly higher weight gain was observed in the group consuming the 1.00 to 1.70 mm snail shell particles during the period from the 13th to the 16th week. Improved carcass quality and pectoralis major and tibial bone strength, as well as significantly increased duodenal villus surface and jejunal crypt cell numbers (p < 0.05) were observed in the group fed the 1.00 to 1.70 mm snail shell particles. These results suggest that golden apple snail shell particles between 1.00 and 1.70 mm can improve growth performance due to hypertrophied intestinal function.