Anyone here farm / farmed snails?

[RagnarHairybreeks]

Was a totally random thought but I live in a very 'foodie' area. Found some information on t'web such as https://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120183/alternative_livestock/301/snail_farming_heliciculture/6
but interested to know if anyone has dipped their toe into this? (not actually dipped their toe into snails, that would be fairly disgusting).

 

[PSQ]

This time next year Rodney, If we can just get the 'Michelin Star' crowd to eat slugs...

 

[Bald Rick]

Was a totally random thought but I live in a very 'foodie' area. Found some information on t'web such as https://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120183/alternative_livestock/301/snail_farming_heliciculture/6
but interested to know if anyone has dipped their toe into this? (not actually dipped their toe into snails, that would be fairly disgusting).

Yes .. back in 1985. Did a lot of research using African Land Snails lodged in a converted & insulated shipping container.
Like most of these things, first one in makes the dosh then gets out. Bit like the ostrich scandal of 17 years ago (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1344547/Two-jailed-for-21m-ostrich-farm-fraud.html)

 

[Clive]

we farm a special kind of snail - comes without the awkward shell bit that you cant eat anyway so it's like a ready to eat version

 

[Formatted]

I'm involved in an insect farming company that produces (or will produce) protein for commercial fish farms

 

[RagnarHairybreeks]

we farm a special kind of snail - comes without the awkward shell bit that you cant eat anyway so it's like a ready to eat version

Oh man, my garden produces them like you wouldn't believe

I suspect it has something to do with me crushing the crunchy type on my paths everytime it rains! Slugs getting bigger and fiercer, lucky to see a snail bigger than a 5p piece now!

 

[RagnarHairybreeks]

Like most of these things, first one in makes the dosh then gets out.

I take it then that it didn't work out well for you?

 

[Danllan]

No, I haven't.

 

[RagnarHairybreeks]

I'm involved in an insect farming company that produces (or will produce) protein for commercial fish farms

Do tell? Mealworms? Morio worms?

 

[Clive]

I take it then that it didn't work out well for you?

not really - they like eating my crops and we have devils own job catching them

 

[Formatted]

Do tell? Mealworms? Morio worms?

Black Solider Fly primarily but other species in the future too

 

[RagnarHairybreeks]

not really - they like eating my crops and we have devils own job catching them

Fast little feckers are they?

 

[Bald Rick]

I take it then that it didn't work out well for you?

Did the research and spent £200 on a course on snail growing, management and packaging including par boiling, garlic butter and vacuum packing in bags of 6 ready for the London trade.
I was even actively looking for a container and humidifier but as I was only 25 at the time, I decided not to diversify but to concentrate on sheep & arable

People running the course made the money .......

 

[RagnarHairybreeks]

@Rick - often the way.

@Formatted, interesting! Just looked them up;

https://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/

 

[Pilgrimmick]

There seemingly is a profit to be made farming worms!

 

[borderterribles]

Daughter No1 tells me that there are stalls in the London foodie markets selling the African Land Snails alive, so that those individuals minded to do so can take them home and cook them up fresh! I did wonder ( briefly), if there was a diversification opportunity available doing them on a pick-your-own basis, where the customers could come and do the full hunter- gatherer bit. Then I thought just how badly it would go locally if the ALS's got out and bred with the local Snail population!

 

[Bill dog]

I read an article in the Irish farmers journal last year about a girl who inherited 1 acre from a grandparent. The stipulation in the will was she only got it if she actively used it . She grew ( ?) snails , and seemed to have a growing number of restaurants to supply ! Don't recall if she delivered alive , or prepared !

 

[KMA]

going by the size of the size of snails I have I reckon the ALSs have already crossbred. Got some weird slugs here as well, Think I must have at least 3 quite distinct types.

 

[JD-Kid]

looked in to it 32 years ago just before i left school
the right marketing etc there would be money in them
think birds hedgehogs etc etc were tough on them tho along with slug baits
like any thing if marketed and done right it maybe a earner
http://www.roysfarm.com/snail-farming/
http://www.snailfarming.net/
https://toughnickel.com/self-employ...know-Before-Starting-Your-Snail-Farm-Business
http://www.smallstarter.com/browse-ideas/snail-farming/

 

[diggerjones]

Friend of mine bread them as a money making venture back in the 80's, asked how he got on!
They escaped, very slowly!