BEST WAYS TO START SNAIL REARING BUSINES.
Snail is high in protein over 20% and irons over 65kg, low and it contains all the ammo acids required by human being. Studies has show that the glandular substances in edible snail meat cause agglutination of some bacteria’s, which could be of value in fighting varieties of ailment.
Snail meat is being consumed by human beings all over the world and it is being seen and means of getting blood in human bodies for healthy living.
Snail rearing business is a very profitable business venture often neglected by many number of people in Nigeria.
Snail also play immortal role in folk medicine like Ghana, the bluish liquid obtained from its snail when the meat has been removed is believed to be good for infant development.
In Africa, snail meat has traditionally been a major ingredient in the diet of people living in the high forest belt. In Cote d’ Ivoire, for example, an estimated 8 million kg are eating snail annually. In Ghana, it is clear that demand out rightly suppers the supply.
The high iron content of snail is considered important in treating anemia. In the past, it was recommended for combating ulcer and asthma.
Advantages of snail farming
- Environment: Snail is human and environment friendly unlike poultry and pigs, their droppings do not come with offensive smells.
- Financial inputs: As compared to other livestock farming processes. The recourses required for snail rearing is very low.
- Food: As mentioned earlier, snail meat serves as a wonderful source of protein, iron, calcium and many more. It is low in fats and cholesterol when compared to other protein livestock such as poultry and pgs.
Disadvantages of snail Farming
- Climate: Snail is restricted to humid tropical forest zones which offers a constant temperature of high relative humidity and fairly constant day and night rhythm throughout the year.
- Growth: Snail are slow growing animals so, farmers venturing into the business need to give it time because, snail farming is not quick money business ventures.
Types Of Snail.
There are various species of snail but this article focus on the giant African land snail, specifically the species of achatina achatina, achatina fulica, and achachatina maginata.
- Achatina Achatina: The achatina achatina giant snail, tiger snail, is a widely distributed snail species especially in west Africa particularly in Nigeria, Benin, Cote d’ voire, Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. This species can grow up to 30 cm in body length and 25 cm in shell height. The average adult shell is 18 cm with an average diameter of 9 cm. The species prefers warm condition 25 to 30 degree Celsius with relative humidity of 85 to 90 percent condition. The conically shaped fairly pointed shell is brownish with a characteristic of the stripe pattern that is why it is called the tiger snail.
- Achatina Fulica: The achatina fulica garden snail, foolish snail is a large snail reaching 20 cm in length or occasionally more with a shall length up to 20 cm and maximum diameter of 13 cm. This species originated from the coastal regions of east Africa like Kenya, Tanzania and by the 19th century, it has extended to Ethiopia, Northern Mozambique, and Southern Somalia. This species can adapt to a wide range of environments, modifying its life to suit local conditions. The conical spiraled shell is predominantly brown with weal, darker branded makings across the spiral. A full grown species of this snail weighs other 250 grams.
- Archachatina Marginata: The archachatina marginata ( Big black snail, giant African land snail) is large that grows to about 20 cm in length and weighs 500 grams. The shell is much less pointed that the achatina species, the roundness is most obvious in younger animals. The strata in the shell may give the appearance of a woven texture. The head of the snail is dark or gray with its foot lightly shaded. They can grow very well in a good drain place and less in dry place.
Benefits of snail farming in Henya, Ghana and Nigeria.
- Production of meat: As earlier said, a snail can be farmed for meat. Its meat can either ne cooks or fried and it contains a good amount of protein and iron.
- Medicinal Purposes: The liquid can be used to cleans the eyes of a victim of snake spittle and in Ghana, can be used for development of infants.
- Source of Employment: Going into snail farming business can help people who are looking for employments in our country.
Steps to starting snail farming business in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
- Location of the site.
- Construction of snailery
- Snail rearing density
- Food and feeding
- Predators, diseases and parasites
The location of site: The location of the site is very important for snail farming. Some species of snail thrives best in the areas with moderate temperature and high humidity. Too much wind can accelerate moisture loss in snails therefore, to prevent moisture; the land must be sited in a place that protected from the wind. The soil area is very important because, snails grow well on good soil.
The main factors to consider before choosing a site
- Micro Climate
- Wind speed and direction
- Soil
- This is to protect snails from predators and diseases.
Constructing a Snaillery
A good construction for housing of snail is very important because, the snail is master escapists. The housing method could be extensive, semi extensive and intensive, it should have escape proof so that you don’t wake up and see your snails roaming around the street.
Rearing Density
The stocking density affects the growth of the snails. High stocking density tends to slow down the growth of the snail and develop them into small adults, they equally lay fewer clutches of eggs and fewer eggs per clutch.
Food and Feeding
Food and feeding of snail should not really be a problem because, snails are vegetarians and can accept most types of food.
Example are leaves such as cocoyam, cassava, okra, eggplant, cabbage, pawpaw
Fruits, Generally fruits rich in minerals and vitamins but low in protein.
Tubers such as Yan and Cocoyam
Snails avoid plants that have hairy leaves and produce toxic chemicals like physic nuts ( Jathropa Caras). Bear in mind that snails are not fat growing animals. Snails take about 12 to 15 months for the achatina achatina to reach full maturity even if they eat huge quantity of food with quality.
Predators, Parasites and Diseases.
The predator that can eat your snail includes man, snakes, mice, rats, frogs and toads, domesticated birds etc. Beware of parasites because, they can eat the snail’s body tissue until the snail are reduced to putrefying mass and pupate within the shell, making you lose your investment
If you are going to start snail farming business please, take your time to read through this article many times so that you understand the requirements and believe me, snail farming business can always give you return on investment up to 400% if you do it well and remember to give your snail enough time to grow. Big snails gives more income more than small snails.
Great thinking