‘Snail experts’ who tell you to construct a pen, buy snails from their own farms , feed them with paw-paw leaves or a ‘super formulated feed’ , allow each parent snail lay anywhere from 20-400 eggs 5-6 times a year, achieve 100% hatch-ability so you can have 1,000,000 baby snails (one million) snails worth N200,000,000 (one million dollars) in an 12 additional months is simply not being practical.

These conditions can only be met in a scientific laboratory with huge funds allocated. Guess what? You do not have a lab neither do you have money to waste. (because such a venture if ever done will be for scientific ends and definitely not for personal profits).

The best you can do is to maximize your profits using my simple methods of cheap and practical secrets which coupled with best practices and application of good quality control will reward you more often than not.
These are ‘little secrets’ which will give you ‘big results’.

I have compiled it in a fun way from A-Z and it will hopefully raise up more owners of profitable snaileries in Nigeria , Africa and the world at large.



[size=14pt]SO, lets read A,B, C - the snail way! [/size]

Achatina is a genus of medium-sized to very large, air-breathing, tropical land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Achatinidae. There are some 200 species of Achatinidae in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some species are kept as terrarium (just a fancy name for an aquarium without water ; LOL) animals due to their size and colourful shells.
For the purposes of snail farming however, we will concern ourselves with only the three species of that genus that is commercial , marketable and of course profitable. They are Achatina achatina Linnaeus, Achatina marginata and their younger brother – Achatina Fulica.


Breeder snails are the patriarchs and matriarchs (even though snails are hermaphrodites) of your prospective snail farm. Snails are “highly reproductive”! . these breeders are 12-24 months old snails who possesses the required qualities needed to start, sustain and “successfulize” your snail venture. Logical characteristics include shell health, age, species, source location, stress factors present in capturing and transporting as well as your own size of farm (estimated), location of farm and type of housing to implement. I always suggest sourcing mature adult snails from deep in the forests rather than farms. Farms are a good way but not really the best because the forest snails have had a natural life and are usually more hardy. Snails from farms have had too much contact from ‘snail slime’ from the snail trails of other snails in the farm and this significantly reduces their fertility and overall immunity to diseases. (Snails from farms are spoilt kids.Check out ‘Density Matters‘) .
The only place you shouldn’t buy snails though are your city markets. Live snails from such markets are usually stressed and are best for eating. Yummy!


Calcium is the single most important factor in the feeding of any snail venture. Why? Simple. Low calcium intake will slow the growth rate and cause the shells to be thinner. Calcium may be set out in a feeding dish or trough so the snails can eat it at will. Food is only one calcium source. Snails may eat paint or attack walls of buildings seeking calcium, and they also will eat dirt. I use two cheap calcium sources in all my farms. One from the green outer leaves of cabbage (you do not pay for this. It is freely available in any fruit/vegetable market in Nigeria). They will even beg you to help them carry the ‘dirty’!

“An experiment was carried out to assess the growth performance of African Giant Land Snail Achatina achatina fed with three natural feedstuff; pawpaw fruit, pawpaw leaves and cabbage leaves. A total of 24 growing snails of approximately one year old were used for the study. These were randomly divided into six groups and then allotted into the three experimental diets, arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) order. Dry matter intakes of feed being served every other days, weight gain and size increase of snails were assessed fortnightly. The results showed that pawpaw leaf is higher in protein than cabbage leaf and pawpaw fruit.

However, cabbage leaf contains some essential mineral elements, which are useful in body building than the other two feedstuffs. It also showed that snails fed with cabbage leaves had the highest dry matter intake and weight gain of 14.2 and 18.6 g, respectively. Highest shell length and circumference increase of 0.3 and 0.6 cm were obtained in pawpaw fruit and pawpaw leaf respectively. Although there was no significance difference (p > 0.05) in the weight gain of snails fed with pawpaw fruit and cabbage leaves, cabbage leaf seems to be richer in protein and other essential mineral elements than pawpaw fruit. It was therefore concluded that cabbage leaf could serve as a good substitute for pawpaw fruit and leaves, which hitherto were known as the preferred natural feedstuff of snails.”
That was the abstract of a research paper by 4 professor level experts from the Federal college of forestry Jericho , Ibadan. I saw it since 2009 and I have applied it successfully.

The other cheap but effective calcium source is broken rock fragments of limestone. Just place them as ‘Licking stones’ in pens or the habitat where you plan to house your snails. Find them easily in stores where poultry feeds are sold or just take a hike to the hills of Okpella in Edo, Nkalagu in Ebonyi, Obajana in Kogi or mfanmosing in cross river and load sacks of it for you.
Good Calcium Supply, Bigger Healthier Snails.

Density matters! Instead of wondering what brought Physics into snail farming, proper use of space can determine if your snail venture is successful or not. Why have plenty of snails in a confined space or little snails in a wide enclosure. One issue as I mentioned in ‘Breeder Snails’ is the fact that density affects the growth and breeding capacity of snails. High density populations tend to grow slowly, develop into smaller adults, and lay fewer clutches of eggs and fewer eggs per clutch. If the snails are very densely packed, they may not breed at all. The accumulating slime suppresses reproduction. Other disadvantages of high density are the high rates of parasitism and ease of transmission of diseases.

Snails tend not to breed when packed too densely or when the slime in the pen accumulates too much. The slime apparently works like a pheromone and suppresses reproduction. On the other hand, snails in groups of about 100 seem to breed better than when only a few snails are confined together. Perhaps they have more potential mates from which to choose. Snails in a densely populated area grow more slowly even when food is abundant, and they also have a higher mortality rate. These snails then become smaller adults who lay fewer clutches of eggs, have fewer eggs per clutch, and the eggs have a lower hatch rate. Smaller adult snails sell for less. Dwarfing is quite common in snail farming and is attributable mainly to rearing conditions rather than heredity factors. Crowding snails is false economy
Think of about 20 Mature snails per square meter.( Infact, Per cube meter as they tend to climb). 40/Sq3 for medium snails and 80-100/Sq3 for baby snails. Density matters!

Escargot simply means snail meant for consumption usually in Europe and particularly in France, Spain and Portugal. For this backyard farming purposes, I will restrict it to farming, harvesting, processing and marketing of well packagaed snails. You have to get to the ‘escargot level’ if you are ready to fully exploit the goldmine that is snail farming. It is not really expensive to start. As little as having 100 mature snails laid freely by 5 breeders can start off your snail empire. Instead of selling to the market woman who would price and haggle, just harvest your snails, clean them hygienically and store raw in a freezer. Now you can have a better price from your road side ‘frozen chicken and fish store’ , a neighbour or even a hotel or fast-food chain. 100 pieces x 250-400Naira in 6-8months.Do the maths for 1000 pieces when all you need is 50 metres square (5metres by 10metres piece of land) I smell money!
I promised to bare ‘every secret’ in snail farming.

Bigger escargot operations can rake in Millions from exporting to Europe, Asia and of course U.S.A. The U.S.A is a goldmine as the government banned ‘Live’ snails from being imported. Our African brothers need snail in that country no be small since no Giant African Snail farm can exist legally.
You can even do what I call stock market trading in snails. I simply buy small to medium sized snails from the forests at a very cheap rate in the rainy season (we are in one at the moment but it will soon end so take action now and put them in my ‘snail bank’ for 6 months). With a mix of expertise not unrelated to cheap/quality feeds and complete snail care you can sell in the dry season 4-6 months later and make 4-5 times gross profits. (Take into account initial capital, feeding costs ).
Example buy 1000 snails at N50 and sell for N250 after ‘Banking’ them. More preferable is you harvest, clean and market yourself.
This stock market is surer than sure.

Feeding is the single most important factor in snail farming. Snails are easy to feed, they will feed on nearly every organic food source that is non-toxic, not hairy/waxy including leaves, fruits, vegetables, tubers and household wastes (that contain no Table Salt (NaCl).
Common food sources include fruits and veggies like banana, melon, cabbage, carrot, pawpaw, lettuce, cucumber, potato, pumpkin, plantain etc. Some people formulate special feeds for snails but you have to outweigh the cons with the pro. Why buy when you can have it all natural and next to free? Think of cheaper sources! Fruit markets, gardens and even the bush behind your house.
The type of housing and the scope of your farm will ultimately determine your source and type of feeds. In that respect, contact me. Consultancy is not expensive.

Unless your snail farm is of the very extensive type, you will have to provide your snails with some or all the food they need for good development. This will require efforts on your part in growing or collecting snail food, or cash for buying it. Therefore, you must know what snails eat and what they need. Smaller snails will prefer juicer feed sources while adult snails can eat hardier feeds and will sometimes eat soil substrate to enrich its calcium source.

Calcium as I mentioned earlier is plentiful in some sources. I used to peel off the outside leaves of the cabbage until I read that the outer leaves have as much as 80% more calcium (40mg/kg and 70mg/kg) than the inside leaves. I also wait until the last minute to cut the cabbage, as exposure to the air causes loss of vitamin C.
Not forgetting the calcium/magnesium balance needed in feeds as too much magnesium will prevent calcium absorption which creates growth problems. There are plenty secrets indeed!


This is just the start of a revolution.... join the train and know what G-Z holds..... Existing farmers are welcome to share ideas.


Snail farming is a slow but stable way of making money. I can however maximise your margins by integrating mixed organic farming into the mix.

To find out all out takes to start today, call or Whatsapp 080.30964896 To discuss your needs and receive professional planning, project setup, management etc.

We are very affordable.

Can I get your contact bro. I need to speak with you.

Buddhar:
Can I get your contact bro. I need to speak with you.

Hello Buddhar, thank you for your question.
You can send me a PM. I would definitely reply.

Also, you can post your questions directly here so that others may learn from my little answer.

Regards.

Please can I get your contact too or email address so I reach out to you because I am interested in starting this business too

thanks op, I have laid my mat here for more info

Very informative guide. Please share the rest with us. I'm seriously interested in snail farming. Are you on whatsapp?

PLS CAN I REAR SNAIL INDOOR

yomyjoe:
Please can I get your contact too or email address so I reach out to you because I am interested in starting this business too

Starting a venture in snail farming requires space. (Open land, indoors, backyard can all be used . It depends on the "scale".)

There are new snail housing solutions I will like to introduce you to. (check images below). They help to conserve humidity while maintaining a cool temperature for the snails they house.

For a quotation on the setup of these designs (anywhere in Nigeria), please call or send a mail to farmingenquiries @gmail.com.

We can give a cost analysis for your project after a site visit to your proposed farm.



Reach me via call/whatsapp (business hours only please. Except you are on our retainer scheme ) on Zero.8030964896.
(Had to partially conceal my contact because of spammers)


Modified- Since this has made FP, I would kindly advise we take our time to go through the 'whole thread' , read, study and understand.
Lots of questions have been answered already.
If you have a new one, dont hesitate to ask .

Happy Farming!

miqos02:
thanks op, I have laid my mat here for more info

Get up your mat and go gather the snails in your backyard.

Lol.

You are highly welcome.

JohnNgene:
Very informative guide. Please share the rest with us. I'm seriously interested in snail farming. Are you on whatsapp?

Hello John, we will dissect all aspects on this thread . Just follow.

Whatsapp is zero.8030964896

JOELONYEMA:
PLS CAN I REAR SNAIL INDOOR

The "indoor" environment is what we aim to recreate.

28-31 degrees centigrade. High relative humidity. Etc.

the only snag is why limit yourself to a confined space when you can cheaply recreate same in a wide open outdoor environment?

Think about it.

Good Evening all,

I have received series of messages after i posted my contact number. (

However, i would like to reinstate that the purpose of this thread is to empower "all" seeking to delve into backyard and intensive snail farming.

Please ask your questions on the thread so that others can learn from my reply.

Also, dont just harvest knowledge withput a 'thank you', it will go a long way in inspiring me to continue.

Let's move on with our snail class nonetheless!!!

[size=14pt]General [/size] concerns will broadly guide you onto the right path for investments in the the Achatina genus. The basically include climate, soil characteristics, wind speed and safety (defence from robbers and diseases). Snails require moist conditions with a high relative humidity (greater than 60% at least).High Wind speeds can dry out pens, trenches and enclosures quickly so prevention using windbreaks or adequate housing is key. Soil should be loamy and well drained. I have a secret of keeping trenches and pens open bottomed but also filling it with a rich loamy substrate to about 10inches. Even though the area is flooded, your money spinning snails remain ‘high and dry’. Another secret!

Snails in the forest mature in 24months but correctly farmed snails can be ready in 6-8months. This is because farmed snails do not aestivate or go into dormancy ( if farmed correctly). The time spent while being dormant by forests snails is used by farmed snails to grow bigger as they do not aestivate. Anybody who claims to farm mature snails in less than 6 months from eggs is probably not telling the whole truth even though I will be interested in learning such a method (life is all about learning).
It takes money to achieve a very excellent result so unless the financial outlay is available, it is better to stick to my method of cheap/quality snail farming for beginners. Do not overstretch your resources and just wait for a little longer and you can reap a better harvest.

[size=14pt]Housing [/size]determines if your snails will lead a happy life. There are different kinds of snaileries that can be built. In this regards, some factors have to be taken into consideration. First of all, the snails stage of development and snails habit. This means sorting of snails by age into newly hatched, young and mature. The secret to note here is that younger snails will require more comfortable housing which should be well sealed to prevent loss.

The most important matter is that snaileries must be escape proof and also be effective against predators.

Pens can be made of wood ( decay resistant types) as in the case of hutch boxes or pens laid on bare ground. You can also construct concrete pens embedded in the soil (exactly the way a foundation is built for a normal house building). These are semi- intensive methods nevertheless they can be replicated on a huge commercial scale where high initial capital is available. With proper stocking density, these methods are proven to give an edge.

Extensive methods include mini paddock systems and free range pens which can greatly reduce cost of feeding. In the practice of spilling secrets, you can combine a modern plantain farm or vegetable garden and an extensive snailery into a double edged sword for killing poverty.
Last secret on housing is the use of small mesh nets to prevent the access of flies into your snail pens. There is a particular fly that can waste your snail investments if left unchecked. It lays eggs in the snails and when they hatch, they eat up your snails from the inside. Be prepared for snails with fly larvae.


questions will be entertained...........

cc. miqos02
JOELONYEMA
JohnNgene
Yomyjoe
Buddhar

@ Op pls can roches harm snails?cos I see roches some time in my snail pen

2. I am using egg shell as source of calcium for my snail hope its safe.tnx

@LordHugo I really appreciate this your sincere detailed guide. Thank you very much. Please can you compile it into an ebook? I'm willing to pay up to N300 (three hundred naira) for my own pdf copy.

THANKS... I WILL CALL YOU

lordhugo:


Starting a venture in snail farming requires space. (Open land, indoors, backyard can all be used . It depends on the "scale".)

Reach me via Whatsapp on Zero.8030964896.
(Had to partially conceal my contact because of spammers)

JohnNgene:
@LordHugo I really appreciate this your sincere detailed guide. Thank you very much. Please can you compile it into an ebook? I'm willing to pay up to N300 (three hundred naira) for my own pdf copy.

Na!

just follow and gain your experience....

The info here is worth millions if applied correctly.
[sup][/sup]
(I will not sell and advise no one to also plagiarise and sell)

Bloggers and eBook peddlers BEWARE!)

koolpapa:
@ Op pls can roches harm snails?cos I see roches some time in my snail pen

2. I am using egg shell as source of calcium for my snail hope its safe.tnx

Cockroaches?

They are a nuisance especially to younger snails.

I would suggest you take an in depth look at closing up entry routes.

Also, remove your snails and sterilise your soil (by heating) to kill eggs and larvae.


As for using egg shells as source of calcium, NICE IDEA...
but be wary of diminishing returns.

Why don't you source for calcium?
Head to any poultry supplies store and ask for limestone.

You can also try out our snail feed concentrate with added calcium . It is formulated to meet the growing and laying needs of snails. Specially fortified with dry kolanut testa (DKT) increased weight gain. (Price) A kg is 300 Naira only.

Delivery nationwide. Call.

Cheers

гєคlly īกτгєรτīกg

This is very interesting....
Please can you explain the process for the hatching of eggs. Do you pick the eggs and separate them from the breeder stock to another place/snail pen or you allow them hatch first and then separate the babies?

lordhugo:


Cockroaches?

They are a nuisance especially to younger snails.

I would suggest you take an in depth look at closing up entry routes.

Also, remove your snails and sterilise your soil (by heating) to kill eggs and larvae.


As for using egg shells as source of calcium, NICE IDEA...
but be wary of diminishing returns.

Why don't you source for calcium?
Head to any poultry supplies store and ask for limestone.

Cheers

As for the sterilization u adviced,their eggs in the soil moving the eggs out to sterilizer the soil will it not cos the eggs not to hatch

Hmm, awesome info. Op keep it up and keep it coming. Thanks

A well written professional guide, you seem to have an indepth knowledge of snail farming.. Interesting..

lordhugo:


Hello Buddhar, thank you for your question.
You can send me a PM. I would definitely reply.

Also, you can post your questions directly here so that others may learn from my little answer.

Regards.

Hello there. I have just finished planting moringa on more than 4 acres of land...hopefully all goes well in 9 months time, Amen.It would b nice to see if I could also rare snails in between. Can we talk? My email address is iroy_y2k@yahoo.com
Thanks

koolpapa:



As for the sterilization u adviced,their eggs in the soil moving the eggs out to sterilizer the soil will it not cos the eggs not to hatch

Good question.

Eggs in my opinion have a higher hatch rate when "harvested" from your snail pen substrate.

1. Get a plastic disposable plate with a cover.
2. Place 1cm of soil
3. Arrange the harvested eggs one per square inch
4. Place another 1 cm of soil over them.
5. Watch every early morning for hatched snails (since you dont know when these in question were laid) . Incubation usually takes 18-22 days.
6. Transfer newly hatched snails to a nursery.

I believe you can now sterilize your substrate now.

Cheers.
Kool day to you Koolpapa

Modified. @ demsat . I also saw your post above on hatching snails. I believe this helps you.

N.B.
The method above would be harder to implement for a larger scale farm.
Constructing or buying electric incubators are better for larger farms.

Pic.. Using a seed tray to hatch snail eggs. (it is a great adaptation.

yori:


Hello there. I have just finished planting moringa on more than 4 acres of land...hopefully all goes well in 9 months time, Amen.It would b nice to see if I could also rare snails in between. Can we talk? My email address is iroy_y2k@yahoo.com
Thanks

Amen Sir!
Mixed farming is the way to go in this situation.

I believe snail pens can be constructed in a non invasive way that gives you an alternate stream of income.

Snails will provide organic fertilizer from time to time and waste moringa leaves will be added nutrition to the snails.

Just wonderful!

lordhugo:


Good question.

Eggs in my opinion have a higher hatch rate when "harvested" from your snail pen substrate.

1. Get a plastic disposable plate with a cover.
2. Place 1cm of soil
3. Arrange the harvested eggs one per square inch
4. Place another 1 cm of soil over them.
5. Watch every early morning for hatched snails (since you dont know when these in question were laid) . Incubation usually takes 18-22 days.
6. Transfer newly hatched snails to a nursery.

I believe you can now sterilize your substrate now.

Cheers.
Kool day to you Koolpapa

Modified. @ demsat . I also saw your post above on hatching snails. I believe this helps you.

N.B.
The method above would be harder to implement for a larger scale farm.
Constructing or buying electric incubators are better for larger farms.

Thanks for the response sir,pls can u talk more on incubator construction sir

My snails suddenly stopped laying eggs. What do I do to boost their egg laying capacity. Thanks

I want to order for the book please call 08130400451

Mackson01:
My snails suddenly stopped laying eggs. What do I do to boost their egg laying capacity. Thanks

Hello Mack,

Snails stop production of egss for three reasons.

1. High Density- The slime from the trails of snails contains a pheromone that stops further laying of eggs. You have to reduce the number of snails in that pen or get a a larger pen. I call the slime "snail birth control".

2. Stress factors - include inadequate moisture, reduced relative humidity and poor feeding schedule. Fix these and you are good .

3. Lack of calcium. This is a simple analogy. Eggs need a shell and without a calcium source that's not gonna happen.
Feed them with the green outer leaves of cabbage or get limestone from your local poultry market.

You can also order for your good snail breeders from us. We will help you source from the forest.
Delivery in 10 days or less after booking.

Note. You have to finish your pen construction before ordering for snails. (you don't want to keep them homeless and stressed).


Cheers

fjjc:
I want to order for the book please call 08130400451

The book.

Maybe I would write one.

Update coming soon.

qwe