Evaluation of production performance between two heliciculture farming systems

Abstract

ABSTRACT The production performance of two heliciculture farming systems (open field and net-covered greenhouse) and two densities per production cycle (125 and 250 snails m−2) of the main land snail bred in Greece (Cornu aspersum maximum), was compared using breeding indicators and evaluation of the commercial product. Over 50% of the snails in all treatments reached adulthood in 45 days with most snails reaching maturity (95% on average) by the end of the experiment (56 days) irrespective of the farming density. Mortality rate and nematode egg counts (EPG) were relatively low in both farming systems indicating optimal (density and environmental) farming conditions. Open field treatments resulted in heavier snails and higher weight gain at the end of the experiment compared to the greenhouse treatments. Snail fillet mass exhibited lowest values in the open high-density field and highest in the low-density net-covered greenhouse treatment. Τhe combination of low density with net-covered greenhouse yielded the best results for the highest snail fillet mass. The results of the present study could assist snail farmers adopt suitable breeding methods leading to increased production and better-quality commercial products with lower mortality and improved welfare.