AN OVERVIEW ON SNAIL FARMING

Snail is a very good source of protein, calcium, and iron and it’s very low in cholesterol when compared to other protein sources. They are also very environmental friendly.
Snail farming is a very lucrative and easy business. The demand for snail all around the world is growing exponentially. It is therefore a product of international value, it is not capital intensive and also not time consuming, and it can also be done alongside other businesses.
Breeds of snail
Different species of snail are available for domestication. They are however peculiar to different regions of the world, these includes;
• Archatina marginata, also called African giant snail)

Pics source.
• Archatina archatina,also found in Africa

Pics source
• Archatina fulica, also found in Africa

Pics source
• Helix aspersa common to Spain, France and Italy.
• Helix hertensis commonly found in Northern and central Europe.
• Helix nemoralis found in Spain.
Snail farming methods
There are majorly three type of method in snail farming.
• Extensive method
• Semi intensive method
• Intensive method
In the extensive method there is usually no restrictions to the movement of the snails, the condition of the environment in this method closely resembles the natural habitat of the snail. The feeds are grown in the snailery.
Materials needed in the extensive method include
• Watering can
• Water containers like drum
• Rake
• Hoe
• Feeding trough
• Water trough
The other is the intensive method in which the snail are enclosed within a confinement and the snails are usually fed with Feed brought into the snailery.
Materials needed in the intensive method include
• Basket
• Used tanks
• Watering can
• Hutch boxes
Hutch boxes are pens built with wood of 606030cm in dimension.
There is also the semi intensive method which closely look like the extensive method but feed are provided to the snail besides the ones grown in the snailery.
The materials used in the extensive are also used in the semi intensive with the addition of feeding troughs.
Sources of getting snail
• Snail farmers
• Research Institute
• from the bush
• Hawkers
• Market
It is however advisable to get snail from either snail farmers or from the bush or from the research Institute because the ones in the farm have been exposed to so many elements that could affect their productivity also some hawkers usually bore hole in the shell which virtually affect the snail.
Selection of foundation stock
• Snail must be of the specie to ensure production.
• Shell without any damage should be assuredly selected.
• Expert and those that have rearing snail should be consulted for advice
• Snail should be of approximately equal size.
Feeding
Snails are omnivorous in nature because they feed on virtually all variety of food. They eat almost all human consumables with few exception.
It is very necessary to feed snail properly because feeding aids reproduction capacity and increase their size. Snail can eat up to 4-6% of their body weight within 24 hours.
* However there are some factors that can aid feed consumption.*

1. Soft nature of feed
2. Proper feed formulation
3. The taste of the feed
4. Freshness and damp nature of feed
5. Little fiber in the feed.
   Snail feeds on all classes of food which include
   • Protein rich feed; they are usually gotten from plant and animal. They are needed for growth and development of body part and also for production of egg.
   • Sources include soya beans residue, palm kernel cake,
   • Pawpaw leaf
   • Mineral supplement; snail need regular and constant supply of calcium and phosphorus for shell formation. It also aid digestion, absorption and transformation of feed in tissue.
   • Sources include; bone meal egg shell.
   • Vitamins; it aid active digestion
   • Sources include pawpaw fruit (whether ripe or unripe) orange water melon potato leaf garden egg.
   • Fat and oil; they are good sources of energy
   • Sources include palm fruit palm oil and palm kernel.
   • Water; water should be supplied constantly and without break.
   Formulated feed
   Formulated feed are feed formed by the combination of two or more ingredient (such as groundnut, soya bean, bean, maize) at different proportion to meet the desired need.
   Feed formulation enhance
   • Performance of snail
   • Storage of feed for a longer period
   • It saves time and energy
   • Meets specific demands of animals.
   Requirements for feed formulation
   • The state (health and reproductive state) of the snail must be known.
   • The cost of each ingredient must be known
   • Nutrient requirements of the snail should be known
   • Availability of feed ingredient.
   How to formulate feed
   Formulation of feed is very simple. For example, to formulate a feed of 32% protein requirements using wheat offal, millet, and guinea corn.
   % of protein in wheat offal = 17
   % of protein in millet =10
   % of protein in guinea corn =11
   Total protein =38
   Wheat offal 17/38 32 =14.315%
   Millet 10/3832 = 8.42%
   Guinea corn 11/3832 =9.263
   Therefore, 14.315% wheat offal, 8.42% millet and 9.263 guinea corn is needed to formulate feed of 32% protein requirements.
   To get a well formulated feed the following precautions needs to be taken.
   • The ingredient must not be damp.
   • The result of the formulation must be kept in a dry place.
   • The feed must be ground to powder.
   Environmental factors affecting snail productivity
   • Rainfall
   • Relative humidity
   • Light
   • Temperature
   • Wind
   * Soil factors affecting snail productivity includes;
6. Soil structure
7. Soil topography
8. Soil texture
9. Soil pH.