Thread by @GalsAgro

Countering Aestivation in snail farming.

Aestivation is a condition or process where by snails release their silvery slimy substance rich in calcium which solidifies or cakes to cover it/protect it from dehydration or death as a result of heat or lack of moisture in the

environment/ecosystem. In this state they are kept alive with what they had eaten. Some that couldn’t cope during this period actually die in the process. As a result snails become inactive for about 5-7 months depending on when the rains show up, this especially so in

the wild and affects greatly snail farmers who do not know what to do to counter this process and lack knowledge of how to keep their snails active and reproductive.
In other words, at this point, snails no longer move, they don’t feed, don’t lay

eggs, don’t drink water are stagnated (no growth).
What are farmers supposed to do to stop this process from happening?
1.Sprinkle water(chlorine free)water in the pen daily, preferably in the evening between 5-6pm. Not in the morning or afternoon, this is

because there is little or no moisture in the atmosphere that would assist in the mulching that keeps the pens moist.
2.Ensure you always increase their water provision. Unlike the rainy season where you probably give them water once or twice, you now have to

ensure that there’s always water in their drinking troughs day and night.
3.Increase bathing schedule of snails to keep them active day and night, (i did a post here about snail bathing, check it out)
4.Look for fresh banana and plantain leaves to cover the top of the

pens to prevent heat transfer, this is especially necessary for farms that do not have economic trees to break wind and provide shade for the pens, these leaves and trees help to absorb heat and keep the farm cool.
5.Ensure formulated feed is rich in

calcium and know the schedule to administer their feeding. If you can access and afford fruits rich in water like watermelon it’ll help to keep them hydrated.
6.Periodically dip the plantain and banana leaves that are already in their pens in water, allow it up to 3-5mins

then bring them out(drain) not dry and return them back to the pens wet. This can also be done when doing the snail bathing. With the above practices, you will be able to beat aestivation....