Enclosures are to be considered the most important structures necessary for a proper process of production. The main rule is to set up a system of breeding which requires as little labour and presence of man as possible. As production requires a long time (from 18 to 24 months including winter or summer break) it is unprofitable to employ manpower daily if a good economic result is to be obtained). Snail breeding is to be carried out by degrees and by itself without any kind of intervention. Only seasonal work is required that is to say it must be limited to picking, cultivation of grass for grazing and recurring maintenance of the structures. Consequently enclosures become the main structure in the undertaking. Enclosures are raised in order to avoid the molluscs’escape and to prevent predators from entering the breeding area.

These, must contribute to subdivide the different cycles of the snails (birth and fattening) and must also make the molluscs’respiration easier as they are bothered by the acidity of the earth and furthermore their growth is retarted owing to the exhalations of carbon dioxide from the soil. These structures are raised 60/70 cms above the ground while foundations go down about 30cms. This is done in order to prevent rodents (moles and mice) from entering the enclosures. They must be made of smooth material to prevent crawling insects such as staphylinus and Sylpha from climbing. The material should also resist severe climatic conditions and last for many years. After several tests and many years of practical management (manual training) nowadays we are absolutely sure that the inside of a breeding place must be subdivided into different areas. These areas are called enclosures. they are spaced out by weed free paths from 80 to 100 cms. wide. These ways will become service areas necessary for controlling operations.

The breeder can either walk or work along these areas without trading on any molluscs. Picking and controlling operations can be carried out more easily. The shape of the enclosures has been standardized for both the reproduction and fattening areas. They are no longer than 45/50 metres and no larger than 3.5/4 metres. These measurements avoid dangerous amassments of molluscs along the nets and snails may be fed more quickly and weeding is facilitated. In Italy 90% (abroad 100%) of the breeders use Helitex net for their enclosures. The Helitex net is black and is made of 100% of polyethylene specifically tested to prevent snails from escaping and to protect them from predators. The height of the net is 100cms. It has also got two escape proof folds. Light wooden or Pvc posts are employed to hold the net while wooden or cement fences are to be avoided as they emanate too much heat on the molluscs.

 

EXCLUSIVE  PRODUCTS  FOR  SNAIL  FARMING

• Snail proof fences

• Specialized seed

• Products against predators

• Protection fabric

                        

The only snail proof fence in the world cured against snail's dribble in breeding.
Patented and registrated fence, manufactured under direct control of the International Heliciculture Institute situated in Cherasco.

First crag (prima balza)
Second crag (seconda balza)
Ground (Terreno)
Special buttonhole to put through the iron wire as a net support
Buttonhole
Crag clamping with plastic hook
Crag against escaping

Tecnical characteristics

• Finished height 1,00 mt, with crag = 1,0 mt of fabric in every linear metre of fence

• It is equipped with two special crags (the first fabric at 50 cm from the ground, the fabric at 85 cm)
  Built 100% with non toxic polyethylene, it's proof dribbling, allow to create a shaded space and it's black colour

• Equipped with ultraviolet ray resistence's stabilizer and it's also resistant to temperatures below -20°

• The wires situated in the crag tickle the snails that want to escape

• 4 mm mesh in the upper part and 2,5 mm in the bottom part

• Allow to create enough ventilated shade

• In the pop, has a buttonhole that allows to put through the iron wire as an upholder

• With plastic hooks that allow to keep the upper crag at 45° angle

• Roll of 100 linear metre

We are two types of fabric avaible:

Extra Quality: double fabric mesh. It's guaranteed the resistance for more than 20 years.

Standard Quality: standard fabric mesh. It's guaranteed the resistence for more than 10 years.

• For mating enclosures

• For fattening enclosures

• For additional outdoors food

1. Mix of three types of cabbage (with open leaf) that growths and flowers in different seasons.

2. Mix of three types of resistant and protective salades (Long leaf beet, Giant sunflower, Repens - nano trefoil).

The seeds are given with specific instructions for season and method seeding.

DISINFESTANT: against insects.

GEOVIS - GEOFOS - GEOKOL: these granulated products have been specially studied for snail breedings and are regularly used. They are used every year to prepare the ground for the new breeding and every spring, to prevent from any infestation inside and in the surrounded area.

Against rats and mice.

TOPICLOR: paraffin tinder in pieces, water and humidity proof. Used in open spaces against mice, big rats and fieldmice. They are not toxic  for snails.

A protection fabric used as a winter cover and to anticipate the growing of the seeds sown at the end of the winter.By using this sweated material is possible to keep 5 or 6 degrees above the exterior temperature.It also allows to keep stable conditions of humidity even in a dry winter. It is available in roll of 5,4 metre lenght
Euro - Helix is the only company which make direct deliveries of these materials to snail's farmers in Italy and abroad.