The breeding
The breeding of Gros-Gris (Helix aspersa maxima ) is in full shift at COMINES FRANCE in partnership with Fabien Lesaffre. We are only at the beginning of the season and I miss photographs, this is why I present only summarily the breeding to you. In the months which follow, I will go in detail.
Overall picture
Reproduction
According to the climatic conditions, the reproduction begins at the end of February, at the beginning of March. The reproducers, which were selected, are placed in vats fitted latticework on with reason of 100 Gros-Gris to the m ². The room is maintained at a temperature of 20°. Small pots with compost, which are used for to laying nest, are placed in the vats. Daily work is to take care to nourish snails, to humidify to keep a moisture from 95%, to collect the pots in which there is a laying, to cover the pot with one transparent lid. 3 weeks after, the first births arrive.
The nursery
After the reproduction, the snails are placed in nursery during 5 to 6 weeks according to the climate.
The snails eat
Food is a vegetable flour for snails
Park of fattening
After 5 to 6 weeks of nursery, the snails Helix aspersa maxima( Escargot Gros-Gris) are placed in the parks external at a rate of 150 snails with the m ².The snails will be collected 5 to 6 months later. At the end of the season, one places snails in cases out of wooden for the hibernation (Cases kept with the shelter of freezing). The reproducers are chosen, the others too small will be given in the parks of fattening the following year.
Kitchen
The autoclave for the factory of preserves
The breeding
1447 Chemin de l’Apothicaire
59560 Comines
FRANCE