Starting a Snail Farm

Have you always planned of putting up a snailery? Here is a guide to help you get started on what breeding set up to build, what species of snails to raise, what soil to put them into, what food to feed them, among others.

Read on and discover the basics of snail farming.

starting a snail farm

Snails are grown in various parts of the world – in South America, Asia, and Africa – for various reasons. A snail’s flesh is cooked and eaten as food and its shell is used as material for accessories and decorative items. Snails in manageable quantities may also be used to kill harmful insects on the farm.

There are people who grow snails for business or for home use. If you are interested in starting a snail farm, here is how:

Similar Articles

  • Make a suitable breeding place for the snail. The size should be suited for your purpose – whether you are growing it for personal consumption or for resale to others. You can use a covered box if you are breeding on small scale. For a larger population, you can dig a trench or make a concrete pen and cover it with a screen or wire all around to prevent the snails from escaping. Remember that snails can reproduce fast and become pests when their breeding is uncontrolled. Also, the wire is useful in keeping away rats and snakes, or other predators from eating the snails. But aside from these bigger predators, also be wary about smaller ones like ants and termites.
  • Put moist, loamy soil in the breeding area. Put litters or leaves to serve as shelter for the snails. Snails love dark and cold places. Make sure the humidity does not drop to levels harmful to the snails. You can use a cloth that is regularly wet to regulate the temperature.
  • Decide on the size of your stock. Would you like to start from hatchlings or from pre-adult snails?
  • Put stock snails in the breeding area. Different snails are bred in different areas of the world. Be sure, especially if you are breeding commercially, that what you rear is the kind that sells on the market. Edible snails that grow in cold regions are the Helix aspersa and Helix pommatia. Those that are popular in tropical areas are the Achatina fulica, Achatina achatina, and Archachatina marginata. Obtain a stock from other local breeders, otherwise, you have to import it.
  • Observe the proper stocking density for the area you have and for the size of snails you are growing.
  • Feed snails leaves, fruits, or even formula from the feed store. Aside from food to grow tissues, snails need calcium to grow shells.
  • Once they start growing, separate the big ones from the small ones. It takes more than a year for the Achatina types to grow to harvest size. Others mature in two years.

Recommended Articles

351 Comments

  • ebere said on August 11, 2010
    i need to start a snail farming right away, help me do that and give me the guidelines and instructions. thanx
  • George Papas said on August 21, 2010
    I'd like to start a snail farm business. I'm looking for information about an open or closed farm. thank you.
  • esosa dennis said on August 29, 2010
    esosa farm, edo state, nigeria, what 're guidelines to ensure success in a snail farm, secondly how can u possibly help secure small loan to start a snail farm.
  • godwin said on August 30, 2010
    i would like to start snail farming please kindly give me the process to follow to begin.thanks
  • ADENUSI ADEGBENGA said on September 14, 2010
    i want to know every thing about the snail business both the advantage and the disadvantages
  • Henry Akpala said on September 15, 2010
    Please i need your counsel and guidelines on how to approach snail farm because I am wanting to start but have no idea in this line at all. Please also reveal to me the likely shortcomings one can encounter in the snail farm investment. I am based in Asaba DELTA STATE IN NIGERIA.
  • Jerry said on September 23, 2010
    I am in South Africa and would like to start a snailery, do you know of breeders this side and the start up cost for such? regards
  • Ruth said on October 4, 2010
    I am Ruth from Igando, Lagos state, Nigeria. i live in a water logged area. how can i practice snail farming there?
  • nonye said on October 8, 2010
    i am nonye from ondo, ondo state, nigeria. Really enjoyed the info. which of the archatinas is the better breeding stock? I just developed interest in snail farming n planning to start small, but i need guidance. Also, how do i go about constructing shelter. Some pix would be very helpful please.
  • autoversicherung vergleich said on October 19, 2010
    last few days our class held a similar talk about this topic and you show something we haven't covered yet, thanks.- Kris
  • Lucy Ashang said on October 20, 2010
    Kubwa - Abuja. I need help. I have started but I really want to know about their feed, diseases, and how best to keep them in warm atmosphere. Pls my snails are dying.
  • Hugh Wessels said on October 21, 2010
    Hi, I would like to start a snail farm. I live in South Africa and would like to know if there are people here to help me start.
  • Malik said on December 29, 2010
    If I have an open snail farm on about 10000 m2 how many snail can i get a year ?
  • juliet said on January 7, 2011
    hi ,am juliet currently residing in abuja ,will like to start a snail farm ,am aware of the conditions they have to cultivated in ,my concern is feeding,is there any form of feed for snail,thank you
  • Dr Rose said on January 14, 2011
    Where can i get a breed that can mature in 6 months. I live in Abuja Nigeria.Are there available practical workshops for snail farming in this area.I need to start immediately. Thanks.
  • Chiwe said on January 31, 2011
    Where can I get a breed that can mature in 6 months. I live in Port Harcourt Nigeria.Are there available practical workshops for snail farming in this area.I need to start immediately. I want to know every thing about the snail business both the advantage and the disadvantages. Thanks.
  • ezekiel said on February 18, 2011
    hi i'm from jos i want to start snail farming so is there any place close by that i can go and learn more about the business and how marketable it is after they are ready for sale
  • Bona said on March 13, 2011
    hi I am from Aba, in Abia state, Nigeria west Africa. I am interested in starting a Snail farm, and I have no idea, how to start it. example what kind of food the will eat, how to build house for them. can you help.
  • ayo said on March 19, 2011
    i will like to start up a snail business and i need real information and how to start and how much is it going to cost for a start and what type of breed is the best to start with.thank you for your cooperation.
  • Fatimah said on April 1, 2011
    Please, i will like to know if there should be a treatment to the soil before starting and periodically. What can be the likely causes of their death? My location is Osogbo city, Osun State, Nigeria. Thanks
  • ENEWARE ISAAC said on April 25, 2011
    Sir,i am a student of university of calabar.( Animal science dept)calabar, cross river state. nigeria. I will like to start small scale horticulture. pls give me some vital information about it. i want to start as soon as possible possible.thanks.
  • Bobkelvin said on May 25, 2011
    I am so interested in this business,{animal production} i need to know more about the concrete arrangement for snail production. Tanx.
  • Daniel beginner adviser said on May 26, 2011
    My name is Daniel from Awka,Anambra state!!Hey,I'm a graduate of Zoology Dept and I currently work with the State Agric. Dev. Prog. I am an expert in snail farming. You can contact me for any snail farming questions and services. From snail feeds,Calcium source to acquisition of good and improved snail seeds and breeding stocks! 08188380764!!

    daniboy4christ@gmail.com || Snail Farming Consultant

  • uyooh said on June 12, 2011
    NAME: UYOOH LOCATION:AKWA IBOM,NIGERIA. QUESTION:I HAVE A SNAIL FARM ALREADY,SOME WHIT TINY INSECT PESTER THE FARM DURING DRY SEASON, WHAT PROTECTIVE MEASURE CAN I USE? 2, IN 4FT BY 4FT SIZE OF SPACE FOR INSTANCE, WHAT IS THE RECOMMEND NUMBER OF SNAILS?
  • Moshood Wasiu said on June 13, 2011
    I really want to embark on snail rearing but my problems border on the following:
    which specie grow faster in this part of d world,i meant Nig.
    how 2 go about effective feeding system?
    I would be very grateful to be enlightened more in this area of farming.
  • Egle said on June 23, 2011
    Hi, I would like to start commercial snail farm for local and export business. We live in UK. Could I get any advice, who should I contact. thank you
  • Yemi said on June 23, 2011
    Please can you help about info on normal density of snail for a given area of land say 1x1m and other deeds that can be given other than natural foods.
  • Endrit Gidaja said on June 28, 2011
    Hi, I live in Tirana,Albania. I have a land about 10000m2 with very good conditions for snail farms.I am very interested in these business, specially for export but i dont have the experience and i searching collaboration. it will be with interest for both parts
  • Obinna said on July 21, 2011
    I am about setting up a farm here and need your assistance on how to prepare the habitation and purchase. Igando Oloja, Ibeju LGA 08024921446
  • obasi tochi said on August 16, 2011
    Hello, I am with Viaduct Group a U.A.E base organization that is into agriculture, aquaculture,fruit/food/fish and meat processing with neywork in the region and sub-sahara Africa. I will like to get the prices of your snail, detailed F.O.B with the following specie, max weight/length, life cycle showing maturity, reproduction and life span,up keep details and any other detailed information. Looking forward to your reply. You can also reach me on tochi@viaductgroup.com Thanks Obasi Tochi Viaduct Group Dubai UAE
  • George Aramide said on September 2, 2011
    i want to know if snail farm can be established on a sandy soil, and all details on how to be successful with the business. Thanks
  • temitope said on September 5, 2011
    location is ilasa ekiti, ekiti state nigeria. am a professional snail, fish farmer and grass cutter farmer.
  • Beatrice said on September 14, 2011
    Hi, i am a graduate wishing to start up snail farming, i stay in Abakpa, Enugu, Nigeria. Please i will like to know clearly how i can start my own snail farming and what it may cost. I will be waiting to hear from you. Thanks
  • Buchi Bosco said on September 29, 2011
    I am a soil scientist, lives in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. About to establish a snail farm but for export purpose. Can u help me on how i will go about it. Thanks and God bless!
  • Henry Asaba said on October 17, 2011
    I wish to know what is used to prevent ants from snails and where to get the species that can mature within six months .thanks
  • roland e. edet said on October 19, 2011
    i am interested in starting a snail farm. kindly help me with general information for a starter. i live in the gambia.
  • Moroof said on October 22, 2011
    I am staying in Port-Harcourt.pls my snails are not growing fast at all, i've been feeding them on fruits and leaves. Is there compounded food for them? and what are the materials to use and in what proportion and how long will they reach maturity? tanx
  • CHRISTIAN said on October 28, 2011
    PLS I WANT TO KNOW THE THE BREEDS OF SNAIL THAT I CAN START TO TRAIN AND IN RETURN GET A GOOD RETURN IN TERMS OF PROFIT, BECAUSE I WANT TO BREED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE AND I AM STAYING IN THE EASTERN PART OF NIGERIA.ALSO TELL ME WHERE TO GWT THE SNAILS FOR A START,THANKS
  • daniel said on November 23, 2011
    i live in port harcourt, i want to embark on snail farming. how much will it take to start it up.
  • adie pitaz said on December 14, 2011
    pls sir/madam i need your help on how to start a snail farm. thank you
  • olumide Taiwo said on December 28, 2011
    I'm having problem hatching my snail egg. what do I do to achieve at least 70% successful hatching? Akute, Lagos, Nigeria
  • muki & ncola said on January 12, 2012
    we have lots of snails and we offer training on snaileries we are in mpumalanga
  • Emma Onwualu said on January 17, 2012
    I am based in Onitsha, Anambra State of Nigeria.Am about starting a snail farm on controlled free range. Can you assist me with any manuals on general management of sailery and possibly the highest breeding ,shortest maturing edible snails.Any contacts for export.Regards.
  • Pierre Grove said on January 20, 2012
    Can anybody help me with information regarding starting a snailerie. I am in Mapumalanga South Africa - e mail me at pierre@crystalsprings.co.za
  • Bankole olabode said on January 23, 2012
    I don't have any business location, pls I'm interested in snail breeding, but is there any place to access loan. as a graduate of economics I have various strategy jotted down to execute dis plan. thank 4 d info.
  • QUEENCY said on February 4, 2012
    I am queency from Akwa Ibom state, i'm about starting a snail farm. Is sterilization really necessary in snail farming? if yes, pls what chemical do I need to sterilize the soil. thank you
  • ije said on February 7, 2012
    I live in Asaba Delta state and am about starting up my snail farm. I already have the site in place but the problem am facing is where to buy point of lay lay snails in asaba here.
  • Petra said on February 26, 2012
    Hi I am from north-east Slovakia and I would like to start snailery. Do you know about anybody in my area who successfully runs his/her own business/farm with snails? Finally may I also ask you about all information about this business => costs, production, EU law, etc. In my intention is to grow snails on 1 ha outdoor/ 0.25 ha indoor. Thank you.
  • catherineforan said on February 29, 2012
    i have searched many sites and can't seem to find and answer.for free range snail farming how to the farmers control the snails for leaving fenced areas without covering why do the snails not leave the areas
  • ada said on March 13, 2012
    hi, i am interested in starting a snail farm. I stay in rivers state and would like to know where i can acquire snails to start my farm. Also i'll like to know any snail farmer close to me. Thanks
  • christopher said on March 13, 2012
    I want to start a snail farm, how do i go about it. with respect to where and how do I know a good species. Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
  • kezo tas said on March 14, 2012
    i want to start a snail farm, i live in cyprus and i want to know which companies are occupied with this. any informations are welcome. thank you
  • Taiwo Jacob said on March 23, 2012
    Please do you have practical training session or seminar organised for those who wish to go into snail rearing business? If yes, what is the cost of such training? Please let me also know if you have an office in Lagos. Thanks
  • olufemi Allen said on March 25, 2012
    i am in kaduna state, Nigeria and need to start snail rearing pls how do i go about it. where can i get the breed to start with.thanks
  • Dapo Emosu said on March 28, 2012
    I am interested in starting a small scale snail farm. kindly help me with necessary information for a starter. Thanks. Iyana-ilogbo, Ogun state, Nigeria.
  • patricia pretorius said on April 9, 2012
    Hi. I am from South Africa and am interested in snail farming. I have no idea of what is needed to start up. Please can someone help me with basic information.
  • Petros Mbele said on April 13, 2012
    Kindly forward information and contact on people dealing on snail farming. I want to start my own farm. I live in Durban. Who is the market of this business?
  • Michael Adeniyi Akinyemi said on April 17, 2012
    I want to start snail business i have constructed the box, but i can not get the snails to start with. i live in JIKWOYI PHASE ONE BEHIND CHERRY FIELD COLLEGE ABUJA
  • bismark osae-afful said on April 20, 2012
    i am a ghanaian soldier and i am interested in snail farming, commercial one of course, but i dont have an idea about how to start, the possible problems i will encounter, the advantage and disadvantages. please i need your help
  • gbadamosi said on April 20, 2012
    stays in lagos Nigeria. pls detail me on rearing, feed formulation and breeding of snail.
  • Asasuwa davis said on April 21, 2012
    I would like to start snail farming immediately. Need help on how to go about getting the right breed, and how manageable it is to start?
  • charles said on April 26, 2012
    interested in snail farming, have no idea need your help . I have a land strip of 10feet by 30feet to start with. What Breed, quantity to start with, maintenance and problems associated with this type of farming. Thanks.
  • michael osei said on April 29, 2012
    hello am in the united states and have read a lot of articles about snail farming. i desperately want to start one in Ghana west Africa in a place called Obuoasi in a village area. I seek your advice on the type that would be conducive ie the commercial one on a free range in boxes or the dug trench with concrete and a cover wire ,i really want to do it in a big scale so please in need your help including how to get books and where to consult in Ghana thanks
  • Daryll Killerby said on May 1, 2012
    I live in South Africa and thinking of trying to start up a farm breeding edible snails for the market. Do you know of any breeders in South Africa, that I can approach for assistance and able to purchase live snails to start off with.
  • Daryll Killerby said on May 1, 2012
    I would like information regarding farming edible snails, does anyone in South Africa breed them ? I would appreciate any help to start me off.
  • prince ademola said on May 14, 2012
    i am in akure, ondo state nigeria. i will like a complete practical guide on starting a snail farm. issues relating to housing and feeding are important and of course marketing. thanks. PRINCE ADEMOLA
  • bridget hand said on May 14, 2012
    i am in stourbridge west midlands england. i would like some information on how to start snail farming and how do i sell them on to restaurants please.
  • Goodluck Godpower said on May 17, 2012
    I leave in ijebu-ode ogun-state nigeria. Av develop intrest in snail breading for some years, but just to discover a week ago while clearing my farm i saw many snail and i decide 2 keep then. Pls how do i start my breading with this ones for marketing?
  • Chimezie Chibuisi P. said on May 24, 2012
    I want to start a snail farm, here in umuahia, abia state, nigeira. I need information on how and where to get good specie to start with, food substance to use. It is aimed at commercial production even as a student i am. Thanks, 07035917429 6 chibuisi
  • Chidinma Anugwa said on May 25, 2012
    I wish to set up a snail farm for commercial purpose in Port Harcourt. Please how do i start with a land that is isolated which i desire to engage into mix-farming. i need your advice on what to do, the kind of snails to start with and how to manage it well.
  • Mr. Daniel said on May 27, 2012
    We currently dispense manuals produced in collaboration with the State Agric Ministry on Snail farming techniques(tagged"Do it Yourself") Get your copy now as it answers all your questions on snail farming from housing to hatching and remember you can now "Do it Yourself"
  • Angelos Constantinides said on May 31, 2012
    Hello, I'm interested to start a snail farm as well in Cyprus closed type. do you know any buyers in France, Germany, England etc to start my business?
  • Oyenike Racheal said on June 20, 2012
    i want to start snail production just help me with salients information that will guarantee successful production. i live in Lagos
  • Kemi Lawal said on June 28, 2012
    Thanx for the info. From Jos Plateau State Nigeria. Pls i want to know where & how to get d best & most consumed species. And how much will it cost me to start in a small scale. Thank u
  • Ajani seun said on July 1, 2012
    I'm interested in rearing of sail for people's consumption.I stay in warri, Nigeria.How can i get d best,most consumed species and what it takes to start, and the best way to sell them.
  • Aze said on July 4, 2012
    i intend going into snail farming dis month, i live in benin city and i need info on the kind of food to feed snails apart 4rm leave, fruits n peels, oda formula.
  • racheal said on July 8, 2012
    i tried this snail farming sometime ago, but was frustrated,'cause they were dying.i intend starting all over. i've dug a pen, poured in soil 4rm d well.apart from water melon, what other thing can i feed them with? thanks, from plateau state.
  • Harley said on July 19, 2012
    I am in the united states and i would like all info to start up a snail farm as well as potential buyers of snails if possible? Please contact me thank you.Harley
  • Kehinde said on July 30, 2012
    Hi, am Kehinde from Ilorin, I wish to go to extensive snail farming with the hope of having about 1 million pieces in the next one year. Please what is the estimate capital and space required for this (I already have a plot of land earmarked for this). Kindly help. Thanks.
  • Mr. Daniel said on August 3, 2012
    Improved sub species of the Archachatina marginata snails now available. Highly prolific, pest and disease resistant and fast-growing! Contact me now for your foundation stock and other livestock services! 08188380764
  • Abdulazeez beginner adviser said on August 5, 2012
    For newly starting snail farmers.This below simple feed formula can be given a trial:
    Bone meal = 34%
    Soybeans = 25%
    wheat = 40%
    vitamin = 1%(premix) - improvise with broiler or layer premix
    There are though more effective feed formula for snails but they sophisticated for beginners. similarly dried grounded feeds such as the above involves little money they give better results than fresh forages. Also when serving dried feed water should be supplied in flat water trough. One should also note that percentage as mentioned above is a ratio depending on the amount of feed to be produced. For example 34% Calcium(bone meal) as mentioned above means 34/100X2=0.68g You can reach me for more explanation on 08073536111

    08073536111 || Snail Farming Consultant

  • Aleksandrs said on August 11, 2012
    Hello can you tell me how much cost 1kg live snails in different europian countries. thats is very necessary for me
  • luka said on August 15, 2012
    I am starting a farm of snails on 5000m2 in Mediterranean climate Croatia. IF someone is interested of buying from me, you can contact me on lukabik@net.hr
  • Subhashis Mondal said on August 19, 2012
    I want to know the details of Snail farming. I live in Durgapur, West Bengal, India.
  • philip essoun said on August 20, 2012
    i want to start snail production for commercial market. i want the type of feed formula for each stage of snail production from hatching stage to maturity stage. i am from Ghana.
  • PADDIO said on August 20, 2012
    I WANT TO INVEST IN GRASS CUTTER AND SNAIL FARMING. CONTACT ME 08036735589
  • maryann tochukwu said on August 23, 2012
    how do i start with and the best breeding stock, i live in aba, abia state nigeria.
  • chichi said on August 23, 2012
    Thanks for the tips. I stay in owerri, Imo State Nigeria. where can I get hatching or pre-adult snails to start with.
  • Margarita Damyanova said on September 2, 2012
    Hi. I am leaving in Northern Virginia, USA. I'm interested of land snail farming in my area. Could you please gave me info about the improved methods of farming in closed building area, tips of land snails (escargots) I can breed. The low in VA is to breed domestic land snails. Where I could find land snails to start growing it. What kind of supporting programs I could use to start my small family business. In all, how do I start with and the best breeding stock? Thanks!
  • femi aje said on September 6, 2012
    hi i really want to know if snail business will be possible in jos plateau state
  • Samuel Sunday said on September 8, 2012
    My name is Samuel and I live at Ikorodu. In year 2009 I raised 1200pcs of achantina. But sadly enough there is no channels to convert them into money other than the market women needless to say I was exploited greatly and had given up on it until I come across this article. I'm ready to give it another try but I want an assurance of abnormal enable market source to make it worthwhile. Thanks.
  • Blossom ph said on September 13, 2012
    Want to establish this snailery biz, but how much is a rough estimate for it?
  • onya michael said on September 14, 2012
    I am from Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Although, I have visited snail farm of a friend because he is a beginner in d biz and has not made harvest I am satisfied with d information he has given me. Pls, I need detail guide on how to start a snail including shelter, soil treatment, specie, feed and harvest time. I want to get started. Onya michael, Nigeria
  • Antony said on September 15, 2012
    Am from Kenya central region, interested to know more about this farming(snail) plz send me more details including the market of the snails
  • adrian pinto said on September 18, 2012
    hi my name is adrian i'm looking all of the information on how to start up a a snail farm and i am trying to start it in my back yard and i would appreciate all of your help please send me the information rickjamesbitches03@yahoo.com
  • Nwachukwu Henry C said on September 20, 2012
    Am Henry, based in Umuahia Abia State, Nigeria. Snairy is my field, anybody who need consultation/services in snairy/snail farming and agriculture/bee keeping/honey production should consult me +2347038787036. I studied Forestry . Nice opportunity. Thanks
  • Emelia said on October 10, 2012
    Snail farming in South Africa, Gauteng. Is there anybody that can give me info on exporting snails and what procedures we have to follow.
  • AKINOLA said on October 10, 2012
    Located in Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria. Pls. update me with all information that will make me a successful snail farmer on a large scale coupled how lucrative it is. And is there link to export snail. Kindly advise me of relevant book(s) Thanks
  • Sokarijoshua said on October 15, 2012
    Okrika, Rivers, Nigeria. I have rear snail for sometime, why is it that the first yield did not mature or my first yield became stunted growth. Is it because i use leaves and fruit. Pls help me to provide solution to the stunted growth? Thanks 08038802004
  • Abigail said on October 16, 2012
    Hi, pls I want to start the snail farming in Nasarawa state, Karu LGA, Nigeria. But I would like to know what other means or way one can make money during the period the snails are growing, since am just starting and I understand it takes about a year or two for them to mature. Or do I buy about to mature snails so they can mature within a shorter period and then sell those ones? Pls an advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Comment

(All the above fields are required.)