Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Artificial Breeding Techniques for the Chinese Francolin
The francolin, also known as the Chinese francolin, is a type of bird. The wild reproduction rate of francolins is very low, and artificial breeding of francolins has not yet been successful. So how do you raise Chinese francolins? Follow along with the editor below to find out.
Artificial Breeding Techniques for Chinese Francolins
1. Egg laying. Wild francolins generally lay eggs and reproduce from March to June, which is seasonal reproduction. The egg-laying rate of artificially raised francolins is almost the same as that of wild francolins, which is very low. Under well-controlled conditions, the breeding season is extended. However, they cannot lay eggs year-round, and the annual egg production is about 20 eggs. The level of reproductive performance of francolins is influenced not only by the genetic factors of the parents but also by external environmental factors such as nutrition and management.
2. Sexual maturity. Female francolins reach sexual maturity earlier than male francolins. The sexual maturity period of female francolins is 200-240 days, while that of male francolins is delayed by 2-3 weeks. Therefore, nutrition and light must be increased for male francolins in advance.
3. Pairing. Under wild conditions, they pair as one male to one female. Under artificial domestication, they can be grouped as one male to multiple females, using free mating.
Selection and Mating of Breeding Francolins
To successfully carry out reproduction, in addition to learning how to identify the sex of francolins, selection is particularly important. For selection, healthy, large-bodied, and active francolins should be chosen from superior breeds as breeding francolins. To avoid inbreeding, breeding francolins must be exchanged with other breeders. Breeding francolins should be culled after 90 weeks of age, otherwise their reproductive capacity and productivity will be affected. For mating, the following two methods are generally used, namely pen mating and indoor mating. Pen mating: Place one male and one female breeding francolin into a 0.4 sq m pen and let them mate freely. This is helpful for observing the mating situation, so that male francolins that do not inseminate or female francolins that are not easily fertilized can be quickly identified, allowing timely replacement of the male or female francolin. Indoor mating: Usually, male and female breeding francolins are placed in a spacious and bright francolin house or breeding francolin cage at a ratio of 1:3 for free mating. Mating is best carried out after breakfast. Wild francolins lay eggs once a year, with a clutch size of 10-20 eggs. Light can promote breeding francolins; by adding 17 hours of electric lighting per day, egg production can reach 120 eggs. At present, in China's flying net rooms or other open-style francolin houses, natural daylight is used during the day. If the light duration is insufficient, artificial light can be supplemented according to the lighting schedule.
Management and Incubation of Breeding Eggs
During the egg-laying period of francolins, the laid breeding eggs should be collected and preserved in a timely manner, at least 3-5 times a day. When the weather is too hot or too cold, the number of collections must be increased. The breeding eggs should be placed on egg trays with the large end facing up, and then moved to a room with a temperature of 12-16°C, relative humidity of 70%, relatively ventilated and cool, and clean and hygienic. The storage period generally should not exceed 15 days; exceeding this will affect the hatchability. The incubation period of francolin eggs is about 23-24 days, with a general incubation temperature of 37.5°C and relative humidity of 50%-70%. The incubation method for francolin eggs is basically the same as that for chicken eggs. After incubation proceeds to 21 days, the egg trays no longer need to be turned. The hatched chicks are moved to a brooding warmer. Francolins that have already hatched out of the shell do not need artificial assistance, because placing such weak chicks together with healthy chicks will cause mutual pecking.
Disease Prevention and Control of Francolins
For disease prevention and control of francolins, the important policy of “prevention first, prevention more important than treatment” must be adhered to and implemented. To implement this policy, the following comprehensive epidemic prevention measures should be taken.
1. Selection of the site, reasonable layout of chicken house design and construction, provision of nutritionally complete feed, and cultivation of a healthy breeding francolin flock.
2. Maintain a clean rearing environment to prevent the spread and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms.
3. Scientific immunization procedures and timely planned vaccination, as well as proper quarantine, monitoring, diagnosis, isolation, disinfection, drug treatment, culling, and strict disposal of francolin carcasses.
4. Attention must be paid to the prevention and control of Newcastle disease, pullorum disease, coccidiosis, fowl cholera, avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, and vitamin deficiency diseases.
From the above, by selecting good breeding francolins, paying attention to diet and the feeding environment, and making good epidemic prevention preparations, the francolin flock will get sick less often or not at all, thereby ensuring the sustained, stable, and healthy development of francolin production and obtaining good economic benefits.