What are the spring feeding methods for muskrats?

Spring is precisely the preparation period and early mating period for muskrats. To ensure normal mating, feeding should be done as follows:

1. Prepare a reasonable daily ration, use concentrated feed for the muskrat breeding period, add necessary vitamins and other additives, and comprehensively check the rats' body condition and the pairing of females and males,

2. Try to supply water to the pool earlier and do a good job in epidemic prevention and disease control.

3. The daily ration must ensure sufficient protein and vitamins A, B, and D. The feeding amount should be adjusted flexibly. Generally speaking, muskrats will not become overweight. At this time, the amount of concentrated feed should be sufficient, based on no food remaining on the muskrat feeding platform. The concentrated feed should be mixed with boiled water or tap water. Generally, it is advisable that it forms a clump when grasped by hand and naturally breaks apart when released, so as to prevent muskrats from carrying the concentrated feed into the nest chamber for long-term storage, causing deterioration and mold. In order to ensure a healthy body condition during the breeding period, the daily ration should be mainly roughage. In northern regions, feed cabbage, carrots, and willow and poplar branches; in southern regions, provide as much young grass shoots and willow and poplar branches as possible, and supplement with cabbage, carrots, and a small amount of scallions (about 10 grams). In late spring, feeding tender grass instead of vegetables can further promote the development of sexual function and can also give muskrats a signal for mating and reproduction, which is beneficial for mating. However, it should be flexibly increased or decreased according to the muskrat's food intake. If conditions permit, a water dispenser can be added on the exercise net surface. Generally, concentrated feed is fed at 3—4 p.m., and at 8 a.m. supplements are flexibly added according to the feeding situation.

4. During the mating period, attention should be paid to observation. When obvious muskrat courtship and mating (calling, chasing, mounting) are found, record them cage by cage. Never record incorrectly or omit records, so as to verify whether the muskrats in that cage come into estrus and mate again after 30 days (blood mating). At this time, nutrition should be strengthened. It is best to mix cow or sheep milk into the concentrated feed and appropriately add some malt, which is beneficial for muskrats to produce more litters.