Snailery production is the process of creating snails to be used for human consumption. In this post, you will learn how to properly produce snails and when they are fit for harvesting. what does the production chain entail, sustainability of snailery production, sustainability resources, and challenges, safety considerations for humans and the environment, and environmental impacts of snailery production? How to identify a productive farm from an unproductive farm as well as which type to produce based on location and needs.
Contents
How to start snailery production or farming?
Successful snail culture requires the correct equipment and supplies, including snail pens or enclosures; devices for measuring humidity (hygrometer), temperature (thermometer), soil moisture (soil moisture sensor), and light (in foot candles); a weight scale and an instrument to measure snail size; a kit for testing soil contents; and a magnifying glass to see the eggs.
Equipment to control the climate (temperature and humidity), regulate water (e.g., a sprinkler system to keep the snails moist and a drainage system), provide light and shade, and kill or keep out pests and predators may also be needed.
Some horticultural systems such as artificial lighting systems and water sprinklers may be adapted for snail culture. Better results are obtained if snails of the same kind and generation are used. Some recommend putting the hatchlings in another pen.
Best 10 Steps of Snail farming Direction
Step 1: Design a strategy
Before starting a snail farm, after careful consideration, we need to know what type of operation to set up. Random experimentation is doomed to failure, but knowing ahead of time how the process will work lets us organize our work and plan more effectively. The strategy we choose is determined by several factors: the purpose of the farm (commercial or hobby), our budget, how much control we want over the process, and how much risk we are willing to bear.
Step 2: Choose the snail variety
Appropriate varieties of snail for farming and the systems suitable for them have been selected from the following: L. Edulis (edible types include Almejas Gigantes, Petit Gris, and Moro), L. Sowerbyi (white leg or Brown Tree Snail), and B. Asinum (Giant African Snail, Giant Ghana Snail).
Step 3: Site selection & pen construction
The ideal location for a snail farm has an adequate supply of the right kind and quality of soil or at least a good substitute. The temperature should be about 70F for snails that hibernate during the winter. The temperature is crucial for the health of the snails.
If it’s too hot, then the snails will be growing too fast, which means there won’t be enough time for them to reach adulthood and lay their eggs. Also, when it’s too cold, then they will produce fewer eggs than they would normally. A good choice of snail pen is a large plastic storage tub that can be filled with moistened soil (or peat moss) without spilling out of the sides or bottom.
Step 4: Equipment and supplies
Successful snail culture requires the correct equipment and supplies, including snail pens or enclosures; devices for measuring humidity (hygrometer), temperature (thermometer), soil moisture (soil moisture sensor), and light (in foot candles); a weight scale and an instrument to measure snail size; a kit for testing soil contents; and a magnifying glass to see the eggs.
Equipment to control the climate (temperature and humidity), regulate water (e.g., a sprinkler system to keep the snails moist and a drainage system), provide light and shade, and kill or keep out pests and predators may also be needed.
Some horticultural systems such as artificial lighting systems and water sprinklers may be adapted for snail culture. Better results are obtained if snails of the same kind and generation are used. Some recommend putting the hatchlings in another pen.
Step 5: Fencing for predators and diseases
In addition to the possible diseases mentioned above, some species are vulnerable to other pests and predators. When choosing a location for your snail farm, select an area of land that is secure from the danger of heavy rainfall or flooding.
Such water would cause significant problems if it was to overflow into the pen. A good choice of snail pen is a large plastic storage tub that can be filled with moistened soil (or peat moss) without spilling out of the sides or bottom.
Step 6: Water sources & water management
Snails need water to survive. Fresh water is preferred for snail survival, but sources with a lot of minerals or other impurities can be harmful. It is important to regularly check and change the source of water you give your snails, as they can be harmed by more dissolved solids than fresh water usually has.
Step 7: Manure production for close production
For most species, a manure system is not necessary. A small amount of a plain feed pellet supplemented by greens can be fed as a portion of the snail’s diet. It may have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, but if it is supplemented with greens or other plants (such as lettuce), then it provides some of the vital nutrients that snails need.
Step 8: Snail density and distribution planning
It is important to know how much food can be grown at a certain density of snails, so the farmer must think about the snail”s growth pattern and reproduction rate. The density of snails in a certain area will be determined by many factors, including the size of the area, soil composition, air and water quality, temperature, etc. We want to make sure that there are lots of snails per square foot; this makes sure that there is enough room for them to reproduce and eat.
Step 9: Environmental factors and control (temperature, light, humidity)
The ideal temperature for snail culture is between 65F and 70F. This is the temperature at which most snails hibernate during the winter. It is usually cooler in the winter, but this varies a lot by location. The optimum temperature for the egg and juvenile stages of snail growth is greater than 100F. Neither too high nor too low temperatures are suitable for these early stages of development. Hygrometry:
There are many different hygrometers for measuring humidity in the environment.
Step 10: Food plan management
It is important to provide a diet that is well suited to the species of snail(s) being grown. Feeding may be as simple as adding greens or other plants (such as lettuce), or it can be analyzed and supplemented with vitamin and mineral supplements. If a supplement analysis is not available, then it’s best to use a plain pellet.
uses of snails
Snails are one of the most useful groups of animals on the planet. They can be used to help clean up pollution and other environmental issues, improve soil quality, and fight pests in food crops. The snails consume waste, including insect eggs and larvae that would otherwise damage crops. Snail farming is a form of aquaculture that uses live snails as a food source for humans (known as “culinarians” or “culinary gastropods”).
Conclusion
The number of snail farms around the globe is growing at an alarming rate. So, if you want to keep the environment clean and grow healthy crops, growing your food with your own hands is a viable option. Also, there are many ways that you can benefit from snail crop farming. These include food production and control of pests in agriculture.
