What do snails eat, and how many farming methods are there
Snails are common mollusks on land, with many varieties, and they mainly feed on plants. In Europe, snails are often made into dishes and have high edible and medicinal value. So, what do snails eat? What open-air farming methods are there for snails?
1. What do snails eat?
Most snails like to eat giant taro, breadfruit tree, small-leaved banyan, blood tree, Wedelia chinensis, Wedelia biflora, vegetables, mushroom bulbs, mushrooms, melon and fruit tree leaves, fungi, Acorus gramineus, dense-flowered ramie, yellow rattan, Taiwan, China helwingia, yellow hibiscus, dead branches, rotten leaves, grapes, grape leaves, luffa leaves, bok choy, lettuce, melon fruits and vegetables, sweet potato, eggshells, and so on. Moreover, they will not eat any plant that has even a little pesticide or has been sprayed with herbicide. Sometimes, only when there is nothing else to eat will snails eat their own kind.
2. What several farming methods are there for snails?
1. Open-air farming method
Open-air snail farming can use farmland for breeding. After plowing and turning the soil, break it up fine, plant broadleaf trees around the field for shade, and surround it with netting to prevent the snails from escaping. You can also use the roof of a flat-roofed house for farming. Spread loose soil more than 10 cm thick on the roof, plant a few grapevines around it and set up trellises for shade, and also surround it with netting. The advantage of the open-air farming method is that the air is fresh and the humidity is good, so the snails grow quickly and have mild disease incidence. Note that in dry weather, water should be sprinkled in time to keep the soil moist, and when there is a lot of rain, drainage should be done in time to prevent damage from natural enemies and livestock and poultry. Households with large cats should be even more careful.
2. Indoor farming method
It can be divided into flat farming and three-dimensional farming. Flat farming means building squares indoors with bricks about 25 cm high and 2—3 sq m in size, and spreading loose soil more than 10 cm thick inside the squares. Three-dimensional farming means first making wooden boxes (about 25 cm high, with length determined by need) and racks, spreading loose soil more than 10 cm thick in the boxes, and then placing the boxes layer by layer on the racks. This farming method is simple and easy to carry out, requires little investment, and is safe. Note that doors and windows should be opened every day for ventilation, temperature and soil moisture should be adjusted, and soil cleanliness and indoor hygiene should be maintained. Cover the top of the boxes with breathable netting to prevent the snails from escaping.
3. Plastic greenhouse farming method
Choose an open area 30 m long and 6 m wide, plow and turn it once first, build walls 30 cm high around it, construct a plastic greenhouse, and set doors at the front and back. After leveling and finely breaking up the plowed soil inside the greenhouse, farming can begin. The advantage of the plastic greenhouse farming method is that it is convenient for adjusting temperature and preventing natural enemies, but note that in high-temperature seasons, shade facilities should be added to keep the soil moist and maintain proper air convection.
The above is the snail farming knowledge compiled by the Tuliu.com editor. We hope it can help you!