Practical experience sharing on high-yield muskrat farming

The muskrat is a herbivorous animal valued both for its fur and meat and for its high medicinal value. In developing muskrat farming, doing a good job of breeding and raising the survival rate is the key. The following is an introduction:

1. Selecting excellent breeding muskrats

March to October is the breeding season for muskrats. During this period, select robust, alert muskrats as breeding stock, change the pond water frequently, carry out disinfection once every 10 to 15 days, and change the bedding straw frequently.

2. Estrus cycle and duration of estrus

Muskrats reach sexual maturity at about 4 months of age. After sexual maturity, they come into estrus about once every 15 days, and the estrus lasts 3 days, also known as the mating period. A female in estrus appears excited and restless, has a poor appetite, likes to sniff the hindquarters of the male, chases the male, calls frequently, and willingly accepts the male mounting and mating.

3. Keeping the young alive after pregnancy and birth

The gestation period of the muskrat is about 28 days. From 5 to 10 days before giving birth, the enclosure should be cleaned, and fine, soft bedding straw should be added. This not only prevents dampness but also allows the young to huddle together, making it easier for the mother to care for and nurse them. Three days before birth, the enclosure should be checked, and any weak spots should be repaired in time. If the enclosure is not firm or not tight, breeding muskrats from other pens may break in and bite the young to death or injure them, and the breeding muskrats may also fight among themselves and be wounded.

4. Rearing the young muskrats

Young muskrats grow and develop quickly, so the feed must include sufficient wild grass, aquatic plants or other kinds of green forage, and grain and mineral feed must also be supplied. As the days of age increase, feed 4 to 6 times a day so that they can eat fresh, non-spoiled feed at any time.