Grape snail: breeding, conditions of detention. Street Farm

A grape snail, the breeding of which began 40 years ago, from the object of small- scale handicraft was the subject of large-scale agro-industrial production.

Green Farm

For many years in Europe, this species of mollusks was harvested in its natural habitat. This resulted in a decrease in the population of wild snails, so a ban was imposed on their collection.

With the adoption of strict sanitary requirements for the quality of food products, they are no longer being considered as a source of food. This is due to the requirements of protecting consumers from toxic plants or hazardous chemicals.

After several years of experimentation and testing in Italy, a method was developed for breeding snails in open "pastures", which proved to be less laborious and more cost-effective than growing them in enclosed premises or greenhouses.

Economic advantages are realized after the initial installation of the perimeter and internal fencing. Financial returns are expected no earlier than 12-14 months.

The current costs of this method (compared to greenhouse production or indoors) are lower, and the main costs are attributable only to seeds, soil preparation and sowing of vegetable crops.

The grape snail, whose price varies from 3 to 3.7 euro per kilogram, is an advantageous breeding site.

Choice of soil and soil structure

A snail farm is organized in open pastures with suitable plants grown on them, serving for shellfish food and shelter. The shading cover is not used. When choosing the location where the snail farm will be located, the prevailing wind direction is taken into account, as strong winds dry the soil.

The soil is analyzed and disinfected in order to guarantee suitable conditions for the cultivation of leafy green vegetable crops and the elimination of carnivorous insects and pests. We recommend loose soil with acidity of 5.8-7.5 pH. Too acidic soil for the production of snails is unsuitable. The content of calcium in it should be about 3-4%. The soil structure is from medium to light. Clayey soil is not suitable for laying eggs, as snails are too difficult to dig it, and it is easily swamped.

It is important that plants and mollusks are kept moist by dew, rain or controlled fog. The snail (photo is given in the article) moves more easily when the leaves and the earth are wet. They eat more and grow faster under proper environmental conditions.

Rain and controlled irrigation are of great importance for the production of snails.

Good drainage of soil is necessary in order that water does not accumulate on the ground in puddles.

The breeding site should be free of large trees, as they attract birds of prey, obscure the plants and prevent the formation of dew.

Where to buy grape snails for breeding? Farmers who buy shellfish from snail collectors or on the market should expect their high mortality as a result of poor adaptation to other foods. The most reliable source of production of breeding material are well-known manufacturers or agricultural institutions. Such a grape snail (its price will be higher) is better and safer, as it received proper nutrition from birth and was not damaged during collection and storage.

Size of the plot

Farms growing grape snails vary in size, depending on who they are engaged in. Lovers who grow clams in small quantities, use the territory of an area of 10 to 20 hectare. Farmers, who are engaged in this as an alternative to other activities, occupy an average of 30 hectare to 1 hectare. Large commercial producers usually start with 2 hectares and can use 30 hectares with business growth. The additional acreage beyond those reserved for snails is occupied by auxiliary crops, such as sunflower.

Site preparation

The site is cleared of grass and weeds by using a contact herbicide. The soil is then cultivated with a rotary cultivator, a fence is built around the perimeter. In the ground, fertilizers are introduced, chemical disinsection from insects and animals is carried out. Then the site is divided into sections for the production of the first year, and wooden posts supporting internal fences are installed.

The soil is again prepared by subsequent rotary loosening and, if necessary, by the addition of lime, and irrigation is also established. Sowing is performed after the surface is leveled and internal fences are erected. Finally, to facilitate maintenance, the tracks are again treated with a contact herbicide.

Feed

What to feed grape snails? Since these shellfish are vegetarians, they like a variety of vegetables and cereals. However, feeding in production pasture systems, as a rule, includes only plants with fleshy green leaves that contain mineral salts, nitrates, sulphates and carbonates, which contribute to the creation of the shell.

In the effective production of snails, plants perform two functions. They are food and protect from the sun, showers and hail. Such plants, for example, are burdock, plantain, sorrel, chervil and sunflower. In Italy, they plant beets, field cabbage, chicory, artichokes, radish and sunflower.

Sow by hand to ensure a dense coverage of the soil, and the type of planting depends on the season (winter and summer crops). The time of sowing is of great importance - the vegetation should be enough to constantly have what to feed the grape snails. To achieve maximum harvest and production of shellfish, rotation of crop areas is important.

After the appearance of plants, a snail is selected (photo is given in the article) for the brood and placed on the fence at the rate of 25 Helix aspera or 20 Helix pomatia per square meter.

The time for planting summer and winter crops can differ, as well as their type.

External fencing

The outer perimeter is protected by galvanized iron sheets . They are buried at a depth of 30-40 cm and strengthened with supporting wooden or iron posts. The main goal of the perimeter is to prevent the penetration of predators, especially those that are capable of burrowing. Between the perimeter and the inner guard it is necessary to have a cleaned zone. If any of the snails cross the inner fences, the path and the outer fence prevent it from passing on.

Adding wire mesh and electrified wire over galvanized sheets provides better safety of shellfish production.

Internal fences

Internal fences are used to separate breeding and fattening zones. Fences are made of durable black polyethylene of the brand "Helitex". He has two downwardly facing valves at a height of 40 cm and 70 cm from the ground to prevent the sprouting of snails. Wooden poles for supporting polyethylene are installed at a distance of 3-4 meters. They are buried in the ground at least to a depth of 10 cm. The zone usually has 20-45 m in length and 2-4 m in width.

When newborn snails hatch in the reproductive sector, fences can be moved.

Pests

Animals and insects that can cause problems with the production of snails are plentiful.

These include carnivorous beetles, such as carabidi, calosomidi, lampiridi and especially stafilinids, which attack and kill cubs. Beetles live in the soil and love the wet environment in the same way as snails. Stafilinids pose the greatest threat. During preparation of the site for the eradication of these pests, chemical disinsection is mainly used.

Crows and magpies are birds, whose diet also includes a grape snail. The shell is broken by the beak, and the contents are eaten. Thrush beat mollusks on stones until they release from the shell.

For lizards, snakes and toads, snails are a treat, especially young ones, so the outer fence must be deepened into the ground to prevent these predators from getting. Rats also feed on snails, especially in winter, when the number of food sources is limited. Rabbits, rabbits and moles also pose a problem, because they eat crops and damage snails, trampling them.

Grape snail: breeding

In the beginning of spring, tribal snails are selected for reproduction and placed in a new environment. They are chosen in terms of size and quality and transferred to a breeding sector with growing leaves.

In the first year, no more than 25 Helix aspersa per square meter are placed in the reproduction zones. Overcrowding will cause dwarfism, low weight and mortality due to mucus on the ground.

In the first few days, the selected snails are closely monitored, as they will try to escape and may suffer from environmental stress.

Cultures grown in the reproduction zone should not be more than 50 cm. They are trimmed with a motokosa, encouraging the growth of new leaves and improving air circulation. In the second year, density decreases to 15 snails per square meter, as the mortality rate drops. Molluscs are bred locally, so they are better acclimatized to the environment and experience less stress.

Grape snail: care, content

After birth, young snails are allowed to grow for about three months before they are placed in the feeding areas with fresh harvests. It is important that the cultures grow tight and give protection from the summer sun. Crops should not be raised more than 25 cm, and they are also cut to encourage new growth of leaves and air circulation. During the vegetative period, with the depletion of plantings, it is necessary to supplement food with cut plants and dry food.

Hibernation

In December and January, the activity of snails ceases, and they are sealed in the shell for hibernation. In a cold climate in autumn mollusks are covered with a thin film of material protecting them from hypothermia. Due to this, the soil temperature rises by 5-10 degrees. At the end of autumn, the hedge is removed, the remaining stands planted and prepare the ground for a new summer culture.

Production problems

The causes of failure are often:

• Poor management.
• Problems of reproduction in connection with the complex biology of snails.
• Insufficient funding.
• Poor soil preparation.
• Wrong choice of cultures.
• Insufficient rotation.
• Overproduction.
• Presence of predators and lack of sufficient water for plants and mollusks.

Collection and preparation for sale

Snails are harvested after they reach maturity. This happens when the sole of the sole becomes hard - the mollusks are ripe and will not grow anymore. Snails are harvested weekly or when the farmer is comfortable, usually in the fall and spring, and for 7 days they are transferred to the cells so that their digestive system gets rid of the soil and food debris. Molluscs are placed in a cool place without food and water in cages made from a mesh or wire. During the cleansing period, the snails lose 20% of their weight and hide in the sink, but can remain in this state for two months if they are kept in a cool place with a temperature of about 4-6 ° C.

Then comes the time of sale. The snails are packed in mesh bags (like onions), waxed cardboard boxes or, if there are many, in wooden boxes.

Molluscs are sold in grocery stores and purchased by restaurants. In Italy, for example, culinary festivals are regularly held, and the use of snails is often their distinguishing feature. 60% of live snails are distributed through the fish shops.

Summary

Studies of methods of breeding of snails, conducted over the past 40 years, have allowed to rationalize and better structure all methods. The need for ordering this fishery arose with the increasing consumption of this species of mollusks all over the world. The best organization of the farming system led to a more efficient way of growing snails - "open production".

The grape snail, which is diluted in an open environment, gives a lot of high-quality meat, it is larger in size and tastier than shellfish grown in rooms or greenhouses.

Success depends on the ability of the potential farmer to apply this production method in local climatic and natural conditions. Studies conducted in Italy showed that the number of commodity snails given by each individual selected for breeding is on average 20. The mollusks need 10 to 12 months to reach the required size. Mass production of snails is possible, until there are no serious problems during fattening or there will not be enough space.

Grape snail, the breeding of which requires the presence of a suitable environment, the cultivation of certain crops, continuous crop rotation and low concentration of mollusks, will be rewarded with abundant offspring and rapid growth. In combination with providing proper care and protection from predator attacks, snails only benefit from completing a complete biological cycle in vivo, which should lead to their high quality.