Feeding is one of the most important aspects of snail farming in Nigeria. A well-fed snail grows faster, reproduces better, and gives you higher profits. If you are a young farmer who wants to start or grow your snail business, understanding what snails eat will help you succeed.
In this post, you’ll learn the best foods for snails in Nigeria, the right feeding practices, and nutritional tips to help your snails grow healthy and big.
1. Understanding What Snails Eat
Snails are herbivores, meaning they eat mostly plants. They love fresh, soft, and green leaves, fruits, and vegetables. The good thing is that most snail foods are cheap and locally available in Nigeria.
Snails also need calcium-rich foods for strong shells and balanced diets for growth.
2. Common Foods for Snails in Nigeria
Here are some of the best foods you can feed your snails:
a. Green Leaves
Snails enjoy eating fresh green leaves. Some popular ones include:
- Cocoyam leaves (Ede)
- Pawpaw leaves
- Waterleaf
- Lettuce
- Cassava leaves
- Pumpkin leaves (Ugu)
- Okra leaves
These leaves provide vitamins and minerals that support snail growth.
b. Fruits
Fruits are a great source of natural sugar and vitamins. Feed your snails:
- Pawpaw fruit (ripe or unripe)
- Mango
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Cucumber
- Tomato
Avoid giving spoiled or fermented fruits, as they can harm your snails.
c. Vegetables
Soft vegetables are easy for snails to eat and digest:
- Cabbage
- Carrot peels
- Garden egg
- Pumpkin
Wash vegetables before feeding to remove pesticides or dirt.
d. Calcium-Rich Foods
Calcium helps snails build strong shells. Without enough calcium, shells become weak or cracked.
Good calcium sources include:
- Crushed eggshells
- Snail shells (ground)
- Oyster shells
- Bone meal
Mix calcium powder into their feed or sprinkle it in the pen regularly.
e. Other Natural Feeds
Snails can also eat:
- Yam peels
- Plantain peels
- Sweet potato leaves
- Maize bran
- Wheat bran
- Groundnut cake
These are cheap and rich in nutrients that boost snail weight and growth.
3. Feeding Tips for Snail Farmers
To get the best results:
- Feed twice daily — morning and evening.
- Provide clean water in shallow bowls.
- Remove leftover food daily to avoid bad smell or disease.
- Vary their diet to give balanced nutrition.
- Avoid salty or spicy foods, as they can kill snails.
4. Foods You Should Never Give Snails
Avoid feeding your snails the following:
- Salty foods
- Processed or cooked foods
- Onions and garlic
- Citrus fruits (e.g., orange, lemon)
These can cause dehydration or death.
5. Local Feed Formulation (For Large Farms)
For commercial snail farming, you can mix local ingredients to create affordable snail feed:
- 40% maize bran
- 30% groundnut cake
- 20% fish meal
- 10% calcium powder
Add clean water and mix until soft. Feed moderately to avoid waste.
6. Conclusion
Feeding your snails properly is the secret to a profitable snail farm. Snails that eat the right food grow faster, reproduce more, and bring in better income.
As a young farmer in Nigeria, start with locally available foods like green leaves, fruits, vegetables, and calcium sources. Keep their pen clean and always provide fresh food and water.
With good feeding habits, your snail business will grow successfully!
