M.A BAMIKOLE

The rising cost of feed additives has made livestock production increasingly expensive, especially for small ruminants. This has created the need to explore cheaper alternative feed sources that can still support efficient growth and nutrient utilization. Chitin and chitosan, obtained from snail shell waste, are potential feed additives known to enhance nutrient digestion and nitrogen use in animals. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing chitin and chitosan on nitrogen balance and retention in goats. A total of twelve (12) goats were randomly assigned to six different dietary treatments.The trial lasted 15 days, with an 8-day digestibility and nitrogen balance trial using metabolic cages. Data on feed intake, fecal and urinary nitrogen excretion, and nitrogen balance were collected and analyzed statistically. The results showed that goats fed diets chitosan retained more nitrogen compared to those on the control diet. There were no adverse effects on dry matter intake. The study concludes that chitosan derived from snail shell can serve as useful feed additives at 0.5% inclusion level for improving nitrogen utilization in goats.

The study investigated the chemical composition of graded levels of chitin and chitosan, extracted from periwinkle shells, and their effects on goats dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility. Twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments (control, chitin at 3% and 6%, chitosan at 0.5% and 1%, and 0.01% oxytetracycline treatments), fed alongside guinea grass at a ratio of 50:50. Chitin and chitosan were extracted using chemical processes involving demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation. Results showed that, dry matter digestibility (91.40–91.85%) was not significantly affected by chitin and chitosan feed additives. Inclusion of chitosan at 0.5% and chitin at 6% levels improved crude protein retention, nitrogen balance, and overall nutrient digestibility, while higher chitosan levels (1%) resulted in greater urinary nitrogen losses and reduced protein utilization efficiency. Ether extract values increased with higher chitin levels, reaching 12.00% in the 6% chitin diet, implying improved energy density. Nitrogen-free extract decreased significantly with higher chitin inclusion, indicating reduced readily available carbohydrate fractions. Organic matter content was highest (91.50%) in the 0.5% chitosan diet, suggesting improved nutrient digestibility and energy utilization. The study concludes that chitin and chitosan at 6% and 0.5% inclusion level
respectively from periwinkle shells can serve as effective feed additives for enhancing nutrient utilization in goats . This approach offers a sustainable solution for livestock nutrition while addressing environmental challenges posed by periwinkle waste in Nigeria.

The study investigated the chemical composition of graded levels of chitin and chitosan, extracted from periwinkle shells, and their effects on goats dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility. Twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments (control, chitin at 3% and 6%, chitosan at 0.5% and 1%, and 0.01% oxytetracycline treatments), fed alongside guinea grass at a ratio of 50:50. Chitin and chitosan were extracted using chemical processes involving demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation. Results showed that, dry matter digestibility (91.40–91.85%) was not significantly affected by chitin and chitosan feed additives. Inclusion of chitosan at 0.5% and chitin at 6% levels improved crude protein retention, nitrogen balance, and overall nutrient digestibility, while higher chitosan levels (1%) resulted in greater urinary nitrogen losses and reduced protein utilization efficiency. Ether extract values increased with higher chitin levels, reaching 12.00% in the 6% chitin diet, implying improved energy density. Nitrogen-free extract decreased significantly with higher chitin inclusion, indicating reduced readily available carbohydrate fractions. Organic matter content was highest (91.50%) in the 0.5% chitosan diet, suggesting improved nutrient digestibility and energy utilization. The study concludes that chitin and chitosan at 6% and 0.5% inclusion level respectively from periwinkle shells can serve as effective feed additives for enhancing nutrient utilization in goats . This approach offers a sustainable solution for livestock nutrition while addressing environmental challenges posed by periwinkle waste in Nigeria.