As we have discussed earlier, Snail farming is precisely one of the profitable farming businesses anyone can do in Nigeria.
But frankly speaking, many people venture into snail farming ignorantly in the belief that it is a simple farming business that doesn’t require in-depth understanding. However, snail farming demands expert understanding and if you don’t devote ample time to understand the basics of the business, you may not meet your desired business objective.
ENVIRONMENT SUITABLE FOR REARING SNAIL.
A little damp and humid environment is suitable for farming. Porous soil is also not good and not advisable for snail farming. Hence, the suitable soil for snail farming is sandy-loamy soil with low water holding capacity. The Soil must be balanced, inthe sence that it is not waterlogged because the snail also lays its eggs and drinks water out of the soil.This article is an informative content on the best methods you can adapt to make snail rearing a long-term source of substantial income.
As you go through this post, you will get to know what measures you need to put in place to realize the profit from snail farming.
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Depending on factors (which may include your Starting capital and your desired volume of snail production). Some people obtain snails from the market, which is not advisable, but you can fetch them directly from their natural habitat.
Normally, snails can be found in forests or any bush characterized by adequate loamy or sandy-loamy soil.
Fetching snails from their natural habitat have its own advantages especially if you are starting snail farming on a moderate scale. Some people often claim that snails fetched from their natural habitat [forest] tend to respond faster to their new house while the ones bought from the market may respond slowly when placed in a new environment.
However, most people who intend to maximize snail production prefer to obtain snails from the market. But if you are ready to channel robust capital into snail farming and wouldn’t mind spending big to get snails, you can visit a reasoned snail farmer and select your desired breed of snails.
The disadvantage of buying snails from the market is that the snails may have lost moisture excessively through exposure to sunlight and the snails will be stressed. And when snails lose moisture in excess, they are certain to experience a reduction in the level of fertility.
If you must source snails from the market for a number of reasons, ensure you obtain the snails from a reliable seller who understands the ins and outs of snail farming.
Normally, a seller who understands the rudiments of snail farming won’t expose snails to sunlight or cause them to lose moisture excessively.
Furthermore, such a person will do everything humanly necessary to keep the temperature of the snails at an optimum level. Also when asked to select snails, make sure you pick the ones that have laid eggs.
Remember buying snails which are ready to lay eggs are better since you will start getting more snails after the eggs must have hatched and your farm will start increasing with a high speed.
If youbare venturing into low-cost snail farming business, you can always adopt the farming method that entails using the forest as a source of snails. If you would be keen to use this method, follow the instructions given below carefully to succeed.
When you observe that there is a spell of frequent rainfall or probably in the rainy season, go to a nearby bush
Ensure the bush soil has sufficient loam content, then clear a patch of land Spread spicy fruits (such as bananas, pawpaw, pineapples or plantains) on the land (Note: It is best you do this in the evening probably around 5 or 6 pm) Leave the spot and return there in the night probably around 8 or 9 pm
On your return, you will find a considerable amount of snails which you can take home for rearing. To get more snails, continue adopting this method until you have collected the desired amount of snails to get started with snail farming
The shell of a snail needs sufficient calcium to grow and the snail itself must derive adequate moisture/water for sustenance. In addition, the snail lays its eggs on the soil it lives on and that is why choosing the suitable soil type is a crucial decision an intending snail farmer should make.
With that noted, the basic properties of any suitable soil for snail farming include:
Regarding the soil properties highlighted above, experts have chosen loamy soil as the best soil type for rearing snails.
Also, much emphasis has been laid on the disadvantages associated with the use of acidic and clayey soils. For better rearing conditions, it is best to refrain from clay and any soil with acid content.
Therefore, you have to determine the appropriate housing density while keeping your snails in their pen for a specific number of snai determines the size suitable for them, i.e the housing density.
In detail, housing density is the number of snails found per square metre of your snail pen. This is very important as it contributes to snails’ ability to grow and reproduce.
If you adopt a suitable housing density for your snails, they will have enough space to grow well and survive comfortably without hurting each other.
Depending on several factors including the size of your snails, you can decide to keep 10 snails per square metre of your snail pen.
Surprisingly, observations have shown that snails tend to behave sulkily when confined to a congested pen. And to prevent cannibalism, it is best to avoid overcrowding of snails at all cost.
9 important factors you must consider before starting snail farm business
SOURCING OF SNAILS
Experienced snail farmers are selective in their source of snails,Depending on factors (which may include your Starting capital and your desired volume of snail production). Some people obtain snails from the market, which is not advisable, but you can fetch them directly from their natural habitat.
Normally, snails can be found in forests or any bush characterized by adequate loamy or sandy-loamy soil.
Fetching snails from their natural habitat have its own advantages especially if you are starting snail farming on a moderate scale. Some people often claim that snails fetched from their natural habitat [forest] tend to respond faster to their new house while the ones bought from the market may respond slowly when placed in a new environment.
However, most people who intend to maximize snail production prefer to obtain snails from the market. But if you are ready to channel robust capital into snail farming and wouldn’t mind spending big to get snails, you can visit a reasoned snail farmer and select your desired breed of snails.
The disadvantage of buying snails from the market is that the snails may have lost moisture excessively through exposure to sunlight and the snails will be stressed. And when snails lose moisture in excess, they are certain to experience a reduction in the level of fertility.
If you must source snails from the market for a number of reasons, ensure you obtain the snails from a reliable seller who understands the ins and outs of snail farming.
Normally, a seller who understands the rudiments of snail farming won’t expose snails to sunlight or cause them to lose moisture excessively.
Furthermore, such a person will do everything humanly necessary to keep the temperature of the snails at an optimum level. Also when asked to select snails, make sure you pick the ones that have laid eggs.
Remember buying snails which are ready to lay eggs are better since you will start getting more snails after the eggs must have hatched and your farm will start increasing with a high speed.
If youbare venturing into low-cost snail farming business, you can always adopt the farming method that entails using the forest as a source of snails. If you would be keen to use this method, follow the instructions given below carefully to succeed.
When you observe that there is a spell of frequent rainfall or probably in the rainy season, go to a nearby bush
Ensure the bush soil has sufficient loam content, then clear a patch of land Spread spicy fruits (such as bananas, pawpaw, pineapples or plantains) on the land (Note: It is best you do this in the evening probably around 5 or 6 pm) Leave the spot and return there in the night probably around 8 or 9 pm
On your return, you will find a considerable amount of snails which you can take home for rearing. To get more snails, continue adopting this method until you have collected the desired amount of snails to get started with snail farming
SOIL TYPE
Several research has proven that not all soil types can be conducive to rearing snails.The shell of a snail needs sufficient calcium to grow and the snail itself must derive adequate moisture/water for sustenance. In addition, the snail lays its eggs on the soil it lives on and that is why choosing the suitable soil type is a crucial decision an intending snail farmer should make.
With that noted, the basic properties of any suitable soil for snail farming include:
- Absence of acidity
- It must not be waterlogged
- Moderate dryness (i.e. it must not be too dry)
- Low retention of water
Regarding the soil properties highlighted above, experts have chosen loamy soil as the best soil type for rearing snails.
Also, much emphasis has been laid on the disadvantages associated with the use of acidic and clayey soils. For better rearing conditions, it is best to refrain from clay and any soil with acid content.
SNAIL HOUSING
While housing snails, experienced snail farmers try to adopt methods which can help prevent overcrowding of snails in their snail farm. In overcrowding here, i meant when too many snails are congested in a relatively small pen.Therefore, you have to determine the appropriate housing density while keeping your snails in their pen for a specific number of snai determines the size suitable for them, i.e the housing density.
In detail, housing density is the number of snails found per square metre of your snail pen. This is very important as it contributes to snails’ ability to grow and reproduce.
If you adopt a suitable housing density for your snails, they will have enough space to grow well and survive comfortably without hurting each other.
Depending on several factors including the size of your snails, you can decide to keep 10 snails per square metre of your snail pen.
Surprisingly, observations have shown that snails tend to behave sulkily when confined to a congested pen. And to prevent cannibalism, it is best to avoid overcrowding of snails at all cost.
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Regarding this, a snail farmer needs a certain device for sprinkling water over the soil. This will enrich the soil by providing it with moisture needed by snails. Therefore, you can equip your snail pen with watering cans for spraying the soil with water that should keep it moist.
After constructing a snail pen, equipment should be provided to regulate the climate. In this regard, humidifiers are needed to ensure the temperature level is fixed at 16° to 24°C.
While constructing a modern snail pen, it is important to equip it with a drainage system especially if the soil is partly loamy and partly sandy.
A number of implements are required to raise snails properly, keep their temperature at a moderate level and keep their house clean.
SNAIL FARMING EQUIPMENT
Snail farming equipment may include the usual implements used for other farming purposes but because snails need regular moisture, their environment must not be devoid of water.Regarding this, a snail farmer needs a certain device for sprinkling water over the soil. This will enrich the soil by providing it with moisture needed by snails. Therefore, you can equip your snail pen with watering cans for spraying the soil with water that should keep it moist.
After constructing a snail pen, equipment should be provided to regulate the climate. In this regard, humidifiers are needed to ensure the temperature level is fixed at 16° to 24°C.
While constructing a modern snail pen, it is important to equip it with a drainage system especially if the soil is partly loamy and partly sandy.
A number of implements are required to raise snails properly, keep their temperature at a moderate level and keep their house clean.
Below are some of the important implements for snail farming.
Plastic bucket: This is a container needed for holding or carrying water or other liquids you may need in your snail pen
Rake: This is needed to pack weeds or grass together after cutting them. Also, you can use a rake in keeping the loose soil of your snail pen smooth
Tape measure: This is needed especially while constructing a snail pen to measure the length of the snail pen. Depending on the number of snails it will contain, a typical snail pen can have the width of 1 meter plus the height of 70 cm
Hand trowel: This is one of the tools that will be needed to keep a snail pen clean. Meanwhile, it is a hand-held implement with an arched scoop for lifting plants
Watering can: This is needed for spraying water over the soil on a regular basis
Cutlass: This can be used in clearing your snail pen of weeds
Feeding trough: This comes in the form of an open container needed to feed snails. When you want to feed your snails, it is safe to place the food in a feeding trough from which they can eat. You can also use a feeding trough in providing snails with water
Weighing scale: This is needed in determining the weights of snails
Hoe: This is a hand-held farming tool and it is one of the implements you can use in clearing your snail pen of weeds
Shovel: You can use a shovel in packing heaps of loamy soil for your snail pen especially if the snail pen has a concrete floor. You may have no choice but to use a concrete floor for your snail pen. In this case, a shovel will be needed to fill the pen with loamy soil.
That’s all about Snail Farming Environment and Equipment, kindly check this page for more information on snail farming.
Plastic bucket: This is a container needed for holding or carrying water or other liquids you may need in your snail pen
Rake: This is needed to pack weeds or grass together after cutting them. Also, you can use a rake in keeping the loose soil of your snail pen smooth
Tape measure: This is needed especially while constructing a snail pen to measure the length of the snail pen. Depending on the number of snails it will contain, a typical snail pen can have the width of 1 meter plus the height of 70 cm
Hand trowel: This is one of the tools that will be needed to keep a snail pen clean. Meanwhile, it is a hand-held implement with an arched scoop for lifting plants
Watering can: This is needed for spraying water over the soil on a regular basis
Cutlass: This can be used in clearing your snail pen of weeds
Feeding trough: This comes in the form of an open container needed to feed snails. When you want to feed your snails, it is safe to place the food in a feeding trough from which they can eat. You can also use a feeding trough in providing snails with water
Weighing scale: This is needed in determining the weights of snails
Hoe: This is a hand-held farming tool and it is one of the implements you can use in clearing your snail pen of weeds
Shovel: You can use a shovel in packing heaps of loamy soil for your snail pen especially if the snail pen has a concrete floor. You may have no choice but to use a concrete floor for your snail pen. In this case, a shovel will be needed to fill the pen with loamy soil.
That’s all about Snail Farming Environment and Equipment, kindly check this page for more information on snail farming.
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