CareersNG

Could you talk about the epidermic you experienced in your farm- the signs and symptoms your snail showed and what was the cause as well as possible diseases that kind affect snail both in the restricted and free range system.
Aside from trampling by humans and red ants(i.e if one is using the free range system) are there other predators?how often does one have to change the bedding and do snail eat the earthworm or they are just there to turn over the soil?

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Sugar, the only taste we are born craving!

Glad to find this Thread, its actualy providence!

Biddy, i must begin by commending you for your invaluale contribution on this thread, indeed we've all learnt from your research and personal experience.
And i also want to encourage every one on this thread especialy fowe's mum(fowe i hop u printed d thread for mum as intended) to invest all resourses nesesory because snail farming is a very viable business. little wonder, the United states imports snail worth over $35 million(5.2Billion Naira) annualy from four different
contries(France, Indonesia, Greece and China). West-African has the Largest and most Proteinious snails in the world (archachatina marginata and achatina achatina) with protein of (37-51%) as compared to that of guinea pig (20.3%), Poultry (18.3%), Fish (18%), Cattle (17.5%), Sheep (16.4%) and Swine (14.5%). Iron content (45-59mg/kg), low in fat (0.05-0.08%) and contains almost all the amino acids needed for human nutrition.
I can go on and on, but i belive we all need to be very pragmatic in our discussions("doers to be fruitful" like Danji said).
Once again i appreciat diddys contribution...

Diddy i stay in Lagos and work with conoil, i have gotten 2 plots of land in a rural area by the river(for high humidity) and i intend fencing d land by the end of nxt month.
The primay use of this land is to harvest Snail!!!
i need all hands on deck as i intend to invest in this business. my long term goal is to become a major exporter of this farm product in west africa.

Diddy, these are my bottleneck:
1. Where can i access archachatina marginata(Snail) in Commercial quantity
2. what quantity is ideal to startup with, considering the land squarmeter
3. Do i still need to get Growing Cages
4. After Harvest: what is the best means of Processing, packaging and selling( with shell or without?)
5. marketing Strategy.

diddy, i know i'll get to learn so much from your experience. Please stay focused and believ in what u do.



In God i Trust...

ohh ...i forgot to add..
i'm new..lol

Friends, Pls check out these for the nowl, while I get answers to ur questions. I'm just closing from my night shift at work.

http://www.petsnails.co.uk/species/acha ... html#start

http://www.petsnails.co.uk/species/arch ... html#start

thanks for making use of the info you get from this thread.

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Thanks biddy ....YOU are the best...

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Sugar, the only taste we are born craving!

Hello Friends,

pls permit me to apologise for my prolonged absence, I am very sorry for keeping all you guys waiting for this long. I got a job that has really taken my time that I hardly have time to check my mails that I have to steal "company time" sometimes in order to surf d net.

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Dear Funky,
About the epidemic I mentioned, I started noticing that my snails were shrinking and looking less active than they were. Then all of a sudden, they started dying. At first, I thought they were irritated by ant bites but I later discovered that it was due to overcrowding. By the time I realised, it was far too late; about 99 of my choice snails were dead.

I had to start over by restocking my farm which took me some time.

Aside trampling by humans and Ants attack, other pests include lizards (even though the lizards don’t eat them but they do disturb), mites, “Skirt and Blouse” (a flat, hairy red and black kind of centipede); which enters their shell and starts eating them from inside.

As for the beddings, you do not have to change the soil if you have enough earthworms in it cos the worms feed on the waste and help turn over the soil. It’s a case of you using the worms as LAWMA officials in this case; cleaning up after the snails. Symbiotic relationship.

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Dear Newbie,

I’m happy you have great plans in place for snail farming, and to be a major exporter. I quite appreciate your research in this regard.

Here are possible solutions to your bottle necks;
1. You could either buy Archachatina marginata from local snail merchants in rural areas or even in the local market. But because of need to keep near-accurate data about them, I’ll advise you buy from snail farms. There, they give you details such as age and you’ll get other useful tips.
2. In my opinion (considering the available space), You could start with between 700 – 1000 in order to familiarise your self with them, then you increase your stock as soon as you feel that you understand them enough.
3. It depends on you, you may not need growing cages, but try as much as possible to restrict your snails from straying outside their “jurisdiction”. I would advise you plant a lot of cocoyam and vegetables around so as to provide them with easy access to food and dark shades to hide during the day. If they have food nearby, they’ll not think of greener pastures beyond the fence.
4. It depends on your target market, you could sell with or without shell. You could sell to big restaurants and eateries that serve snail delicacies. I know of a lady who supplies a big eatery with snails. She shells and cleans them (taking off the slime) and makes a fortune from it.
5. You could also can them for export if you have the means. There are also some “snail farmers” cooperative societies where they get orders from abroad and members supply snails to meet the required stock. They are then paid according to their percentage contribution.


I hope this is useful.

Always at your Service

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

yes it was helpful thank you

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Sugar, the only taste we are born craving!

Reading the first line of the words of 'nolimit', It came to mind that 'biddy' is a typical example of people who discover their strength and keep on strengthen it. Not just busy posting any set of words that comes to mind but with deep reason and research offering wise words.
I hereby commend him and encourage others to take a cue!


... my newbie friend, nolimit, I was wondering if you meant Banji, instead of Danji?

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Ideabroker(c)- Ideas that fuel positive change come from the Most High God.
Ibroker(c)

I feel honored doing this...

Thanks for being there for me. Keep the posts coming in.

Off to work

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Hi everyone. I stumbled upon this site today and I've learnt so much. Thanks for all the info y'all. My husband and I have been considering going into this for a long time now and with you guys here for us. I say we are ready.
My question for today is do you know any snail farm(er) in Abuja where we can go to get the snails to start up.

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Keep Developing...

Juice,

So sorry for keeping you waiting for that long.

I do not know of any snail farm in Abuja, I have even searched on the 'net but could not find.

What information do you require?

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

alternatively, you could comb some of the villages around for snails merchants.

good luck

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Sorry all for the long silence, Banji sorry about dat i was actually referring to you.

Biddy u r simply the best, thanks for the invaluable tips. i was just thinking-- before i go into the business full time, do u know of any professional consultant i can contact.
Because i believe so much in practical experience, i need someone that can come with me to the site for inspection and proper evaluation/assessment before i cash in.. I think i know most of the things i need to know but i still need the experienced hand.
Biddy i dont know if this is allowed or if you'll be comfortable with the idea of me requesting for your mail address preferably yahoo in your next posting.

@Juice: i urge you strongly to invest as much as you can wisely on Snail farming cos it'll definitely pay off. as a matter of fact Snail farming is a major cash cow in the Nigerian economy as it stands.
my only advice to you is for you to keep abreast with INFORMATION....dont worry with biddy in the house you ain't got no problem.

My Regards to the Admin...

Hello friends

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

thanks fowe,how's mummy?
yes, I've bin out of reach for a while. one of those times when your level of inspiration is low.
Never the less, well still move forward and upward.

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

as the weather gets hotter, pls try to control the moisture level in your snail farm.

u could shield them from direct sunlight, cover ur cages with broad leaves like banana leaves, or with sacks.
wet them but don't turn it into a swimming pool.

Stay blessed

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

Think about this;
No matter how hungry an eagle is, it will never eat flies.

Don't settle for less, tough times don't last....

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

At the moment, I'm in Senegal for a few days.

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

today is my Birthday

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Biddy
Physical exercise increases ur health, mental exercise increases ur chances of getting wealth. But laziness decreases both health & Wealth.

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.