Snail Farming: Selecting Breeding Stocks

by

Chigbogu, Nnachetam Reginald

Farmers should preferably start towards the onset of the rainy season as that is the actual time snails normally start breeding. Sexually matured snails are highly recommended, which should be weighing at least 100 – 130g, as initial breeding stocks.
There are two major methods of obtaining snails for breeding, they include:
  • Hand picking and
  • Buying
Hand Picking
Farmers may choose to obtain snails from the wild/forest. Snails can be collected in a relatively undisturbed forest area on days following rains. Snails can also be picked by clearing a portion in the bush and cutting various ripe fruits and scattering them in the cleared portion. This is done towards evening. Snails are good at perceiving smell and will locate the fruit. The farmer is to come back at night, at about 8 - 9pm and pick the snails. This is to be repeated until the desired quantity of snail is obtained.

Buying
Farmers can equally obtain snails from snail gatherers or from the markets, but he/she should expect fairly high level of mortality which can be as a result of improper handling and adjustment to variety of foods. Even sun exposure might have reduced the fecundity of snails gotten from the market.
The best and most reliable method of obtaining breeding stock is from a known breeder, or research/agricultural institutes. The only disadvantage is that such parent stock would be more expensive than snails from other sources, but they are better and safer because of the proper handling and management practices.
Once the snail farm is established, farmers are advised to select breeding stock from their own snails. Breeding stock must be selected in the rainy season before aestivation, and should be based on the following attributes:
  • Fecundity: expected number of eggs, based on numbers laid in previous seasons.
  • Hatchability: percentage of eggs likely to hatch out of the total number laid).
  • Establishment rate: percentage of snails likely to survive after hatching.
  • Growth rate.
  • Shell strength.
Simple records kept by snail farmers can provide the necessary information for breeders’ selection.
As a general rule, the fastest growers with the strongest shells should be selected as breeding stock.


For the full HAND BOOK/MANUAL on Snail Farming contact us via;
                                                                         +2348127703618
                                                                         Email: nnachetfarms@gmail.com

Other available HAND BOOKS/MANUALS include;
           Catfish Hatchery Business,
           Fish Feed Formulation and Production, and
           Fish Farming. 
Also we have complete and detailed videos on catfish fingerling production


Nnachet Farms: Creation of Food and Employments for Ourselves and Others

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