Snails are peaceful and attractive creatures. Snails are also profitable livestock because many consider them a delicacy. Of course, before you start raising snails, you should research the snail market in your area and find out if there are any laws or regulations governing the breeding and sale of snails. There are three systems of snail cages: an extensive system located outdoors and in an open area, an intensive system located in an enclosed space with a regulated climate, and a semi-intensive system that combines the features of an intensive and extensive system. Usually, in a semi-intensive system, the snails are allowed to lay their eggs and incubate their eggs in a closed environment before being moved outside after about 6-8 weeks.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Creating an Extensive System
Step 1. Make sure the climate in your area is suitable for raising snails outdoors
Generally, snails like a warm and humid climate, which is around 25-30˚ C with a humidity level of 80-95%. Find out about the variety of snails you intend to breed to determine whether the extensive system is suitable or not.
Also consider the wind factor in the growth of snails. The wind makes the snails dry so you need to choose a sheltered location for your snail farm
Step 2. Fence the cage area, adjusting its area to the number of snails you want to raise
Chicken wire with small holes is suitable because snails don't like to crawl over it. Brick and bricks are also good choices.
- Plant the fence at least 20 cm so that the snails cannot dig a burrow and run away.
- If without a roof, a fence a few centimeters high will suffice. If using a roof, the fence must be at least as high as the potential height of the largest plant in the area.
Step 3. Decide whether you want to roof or not
Roofs can shade and protect snails from exposure to the elements, but they are expensive. If you are making a cage out of a material that the snails can climb, you will need a roof to keep the snails from escaping.
- Tight wire mesh is suitable as a roof. You can cover it with cheesecloth, for added protection.
- If you're adding a roof, you'll need a way to access the snails. If you are using wire mesh, attach the roof with a wire loop so that the loops can be unwound whenever needed.
Step 4. Fill the cage area with the right type of soil
Make sure the soil is very loose. Snails lay their eggs in the soil and loose soil makes it easier for snails to dig them. Avoid
- sandy soil (less able to absorb water)
- heavy soil, like clay
- soil with high acidity (can damage snail shells)
Step 5. Plant the plants in the cage
Shrubs and small trees provide food and shelter. Plants that are very suitable for planting are sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and leafy vegetables.
It's also a good idea to plant a small tree outside the cage. The tree can help protect the snails from wind, sun, and rain
Step 6. Add a small water container
Arrange for rainwater to collect in the container because tap water usually contains chemicals such as chlorine, which is not good for snails. Use a flat object (such as a jar lid) to prevent the snail from rolling over and sinking. If the water starts to look quite dirty or full of garbage, throw it away and replace it with a new one.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Intensive Systems
Step 1. Choose the cage material
Snails can punch holes in cardboard and are good at escaping, so you need a sturdy material.
- Wooden boxes are suitable. Make sure the wood is not easily weathered and is termite-resistant.
- Used oil drums are also a cheap and suitable option.
- Glass or plastic containers can also be used. If only a few snails are being raised, a Tupperware container can be used. If there are lots of snails, consider using an aquarium.
Step 2. Punch a hole in the lid
Snail cages need ventilation so your little friends can breathe. If you're hatching snail eggs, consider using a wire mesh roof to keep the babies from escaping. If you intend to fatten adult snails, it is okay to make holes in the lid of the container as long as the hole is not bigger than that of the bred snails.
Step 3. Place the cage on the platform
It's best if the cage is waist-high for easy access. If you plan to place the snail cage outdoors, a platform will also help keep out predators. The easy option, you can stack bricks to serve as a platform.
You also need to keep the snail cage away from direct exposure to the hot sun to keep the snails moist. Do not place the cage under the vent, as this can dry out the snails
Step 4. Fill the cage
At a minimum, sprinkle 5 cm of compost at the bottom of the cage. Provide shelter for the tiny creatures, such as a tilting Tupperware container or a half-buried pottery pot.
Do not use soil from your garden as it may contain other organisms
Step 5. Provide snail feed
Assuming there are no plants in the cage, the intensive system requires you to provide regular feed. You can give grass snails, vegetable sheets/peels, or fruit pieces. Avoid plants with hairy leaves and anything that produces toxins.
- Discard any leftover feed that has begun to rot.
- Fruits that are good for snails include: mangoes, bananas, pears, eggplants, figs, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
- Snails need protein. Protein can be obtained from sweet potatoes and plantains.
- Leftovers from home food such as rice and beans can be given to snails as long as they do not contain salt.
Step 6. Provide a flat water container
A plastic jar/container lid is an ideal water container. Tap water often contains chlorine, a substance that is harmful to snails. Give snails rainwater or bottled drinking water.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Snail Cages
Step 1. Decide whether you need to create a semi-intensive system
If you are implementing an extensive system but your snails are in the mating period, it is a good idea to add an intensive element to hatching and caring for the baby snails. If you apply an intensive system for eggs and baby snails, in the future, when the baby snails are older and need more space, you may need to add extensive components.
Step 2. Make sure the cage is large enough
Expand in size as the snail population increases. Overcrowded cages can inhibit snail growth and increase the chance of disease spreading in the population. Ideally, you need 1 square meter for every 100 baby snails and about 1 square meter for every 7-10 adult snails.
Step 3. Change the compost
Every two weeks or so, remove the snails from the cage and replace the compost with a new one. Throw away rotten food at the same time. This step needs to be done both for extensive systems and intensive systems.
Be careful when moving baby snails. The shell of an adult snail is hard enough for you to grasp. However, to move a baby snail, push it as lightly as possible onto a thick piece of paper, then move it gently
Step 4. Make sure clean water is always available in the cage
Use a flat container such as a jar lid or yogurt container lid so that the snails don't fall into the water. If the water starts to look cloudy or a lot of food/other objects fall into it, immediately replace it with new water.
Tips
- Moisten the snail habitat daily with a spray bottle! Snails like a humid environment.
- Set up the cage in an easily accessible place. You will visit them frequently to feed and clean the area. In addition, you also need to make sure the area is safe from predators.
- Make sure the snails can't escape from the cage. Whatever your choice, the system should be well fenced. Snails can lift up to 50x their body weight! You have to press the cage so that the snails don't run away.
Warning
- Never put the snail cage in a place that is exposed to direct sunlight.
- Never throw a snail into the wild and don't let your snail escape. Snails can damage many crops and harm farmers.
