Snail Farming II SS2 Livestock Farming Lesson Note

Snail Breeding (The Love Life of Snails)

Snails are very interesting creatures when it comes to having babies. Unlike goats or chickens where you need a clear “Papa” and “Mama,” snails are Hermaphrodites. This means every single healthy adult snail has both male and female parts!

How they multiply:

• Even though they have both parts, they still need to mate with another snail to exchange “seeds.”
• After mating, both snails can go and lay eggs! This is why snails multiply so fast.
• The Eggs: They look like tiny yellow or white grapes. A snail can lay between 30 to 300 eggs at a time in a small hole it digs in the soil.
• Incubation: The eggs stay in the cool, moist soil for about 21 to 30 days before they hatch into tiny “baby snails” (called hatchlings).

Daily Management (Taking Care of the Family)

A snail farm isn’t a “set it and forget it” business. If you don’t look after them, they will stop growing or die.

1. Moisture is Life: Snails breathe through their skin. If the soil is dry, they will seal themselves in their shells (this is called Aestivation) and stop growing. You must spray the snailery with water every evening.
2. Soil Maintenance: Every 2 or 3 months, you should change the soil. Snails poop a lot, and if the soil gets too dirty, it becomes acidic and kills them.
3. Thinning Out: As the babies grow, the house gets crowded. You must move some to a bigger pen so they have space to move and eat.
4. Hygiene: Remove leftover food every morning. If fruit rots in the pen, it attracts Soldier Ants, which are the Number 1 enemy of snails.

Dealing with Pests and Predators

Since snails move slowly and have no teeth to bite back, many animals want to eat them. You are their “Bodyguard.”

• Ants: They are the most dangerous. They can enter the shell and eat the snail alive. Use engine oil or water in bowls under the legs of your snail box to block them.
• Rats and Mice: They can crack the shells of young snails. Make sure your wire mesh is very tight so they can’t squeeze in.
• Lizards and Toads: These love to eat baby snails. Keep your snailery covered at all times.
• Flies: Small flies lay eggs on the snail’s body, which can cause diseases. Keep the environment clean to discourage flies.

Harvesting – When are they ready?

Unlike chickens that you harvest at 8 weeks, snails take time. Most Giant African Land Snails take 12 to 24 months to reach “Jumbo” market size.

How to tell they are ready:

• The Brim Test: Feel the edge of the snail’s shell (the opening). If it is hard and thick, the snail has stopped growing and is ready for the market. If the edge is thin and breaks easily, it is still growing—leave it alone!
• Weight: A good market snail should feel heavy for its size.
• Method: Simply pick them up by hand in the evening when they are out eating. Put them in a basket with some damp leaves so they stay cool and fresh.

Marketing and Sales (Making the Money)

Snail meat is a “Luxury” meat in Nigeria. It is usually more expensive than beef or fish, which is good for the farmer!

Where to sell:

1. Local Markets: Market women buy in large baskets to resell.
2. Restaurants and Hotels: They need a constant supply of big snails for pepper soup and special dishes.
3. Supermarkets: They prefer snails that are already cleaned and frozen in small packs.
4. Export: If you have a very big farm, you can dry the snails and send them to Nigerians living in the UK or USA. They pay very well in Dollars/Pounds!

Marketing Tip: Snails are most expensive during the Dry Season (January–March) because people can’t find them in the bush. If you have a farm with a good water supply, that is the best time to sell and make a huge profit!

Class Discussion / Homework

1. Why is it an advantage that snails are hermaphrodites?
2. Explain why we put oil in the bowls under the snail box legs.
3. If you have 100 mature snails, would you rather sell them in July (Rainy season) or February (Dry season)? Why?

Practical Guide: > If you find snail eggs in your pen, don’t throw them away! Carefully dig them out with a spoon and put them in a separate “Nursery Box” with soft, damp soil so the big snails don’t accidentally crush them.