Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points for the Golden Turtle Hedgehog

AbstractPen farming: Build golden turtle hedgehog nests inside the enclosure, plant some shade plants outside the enclosure, and cover the area around and above the hedgehog house with netting. Cage farming: Plastic cages or bamboo-wood structures, preferably 3 tiers high, with a movable top cover for convenient entry of the hedgehogs into the nest. Feeding and management: When introducing breeding stock, select golden turtle hedgehogs weighing about 300g, raise them separately by size and sex, feed them animal feed and plant feed during this period, and ensure sufficient drinking water.

I. Pen Farming

1. Based on a standard site area of 4 sq m, build fencing on 1/2 and leave 1/2 open-air, build golden turtle hedgehog nests inside the enclosure, and plant some shade plants outside the enclosure to create favorable conditions of different humidity and light, thereby meeting the different environmental requirements of medium and small golden turtle hedgehogs.

2. During this period, there should be fixed artificial burrows to facilitate dormancy and resting of the golden turtle hedgehogs. The surrounding walls should be smooth, with a height of 50cm. On the inner walls, 15cm above the ground, 10cm glass strips can be embedded to prevent the golden turtle hedgehogs from escaping. The area around and above the hedgehog house should be covered with netting to avoid harm from weasels.

II. Cage Farming

1. Plastic cages or bamboo-wood structures, with length, width and height of 70cm, 70cm and 45cm respectively, preferably 3 tiers high.

2. Build a nest box inside the cage, with length, width and height of 30cm, 20cm and 20cm respectively. Open a hole of 10cmX8cm at one end for convenient entry of the golden turtle hedgehogs into the nest. A small amount of grass can be placed inside the box, and the top cover is movable for convenient later inspection.

III. Feeding and Management

1. For newly introduced golden turtle hedgehogs, select those with a robust and plump body shape and glossy spines, weighing about 300g.

2. During this period, bathe them with a potassium permanganate solution at about 35°C, which helps remove dirt and disinfect.

3. For those with internal parasites, feed each one 1/4 tablet of Changchongjing mixed into food, repeat 2-3 times every few days, then raise them separately by size and sex.

4. Golden turtle hedgehogs are mainly fed animal feed, supplemented by plant feed. During this period, besides feeding fresh melons and fruits, vegetables, insects, etc., they can also be fed a cooked mixture of broken rice, flour, frogs, earthworms, cicadas, meat, vegetables, chicken or fish viscera, etc., and a small amount of sodium chloride can be added when feeding.

5. Generally, the ratio of animal feed to plant feed is 5:3. Specifically, according to the different growth and development stages of the golden turtle hedgehogs, multiple varieties should be reasonably matched.

6. The amount of daily food is generally related to the size of the golden turtle hedgehog and the temperature. During this period, the feeding amount should be flexibly determined based on the leftover food on alternate days.

7. Generally, feed each one about 200g per day, and ensure sufficient drinking water. Feeding time is after dusk.

8. When the temperature drops to 10, the golden turtle hedgehog will begin to enter hibernation. The hibernation period lasts about 140 days. During the hibernation process of the golden turtle hedgehogs, frequent inspections should be carried out, and relevant antifreeze and warmth measures should be taken.

9. Golden turtle hedgehogs reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age. In the estrus and mating season, males and females are raised in a 2:1 combination, and after conception they are raised separately.

10. Golden turtle hedgehogs have relatively strong resistance and generally rarely get sick. Under artificial breeding conditions, the diseases they are prone to mainly include ringworm, parasites, enteritis, etc. During this period, the hedgehog house should be cleaned promptly to ensure fresh feed and a reasonable feed mix.