What should be noted when starting to feed soft-shelled turtle hatchlings

Starting to feed soft-shelled turtle hatchlings is an important operational step in the production of turtle hatchling rearing. In the past, we started feeding soft-shelled turtle hatchlings by soaking them in a basin of 3% concentration feed slurry water for 3 hours, the purpose being to let the hatchlings swallow feed and smell the feed's odor before stocking, so that after stocking they could quickly recognize the feed and eat. But after several years of practice, this feeding method was found to have more drawbacks than benefits. First, the feed slurry, being unpalatable, could not be swallowed, so it did not serve the purpose of starting to feed and instead wasted feed. Second, soaking at high density for a long time in the feed slurry   not only caused the hatchlings to scratch each other, but if the feed slurry was mixed slightly thick, it would also block the hatchlings' nostrils, causing the turtle hatchlings to suffocate and die. Third, in this feeding operation, there was one more step that caused artificial injury to the turtle's body, leaving hidden dangers for the occurrence of skin rot disease after the hatchlings were stocked. Therefore, whether the work of starting to feed soft-shelled turtle hatchlings is done well or poorly not only affects the survival and growth of soft-shelled turtle hatchling rearing, but improper handling can also cause mass death of the hatchlings.

For example, in May 2002, a turtle farm in Shaoxing soaked   high-density soft-shelled turtle hatchlings in a plastic basin with high-concentration feed slurry, and after starting to feed for as long as 5 hours, it caused the   serious accident of more than 2 000 soft-shelled turtle hatchlings dying.  The correct method is now introduced as follows: First, 5 days before stocking, fertilize   the pond water; the standard for fertilized water is that the water appears grayish-white or light green, with transparency not exceeding 20 cm,   and pH 7 to 8. After stocking, sprinkle palatable soft   pelleted feed amounting to 8% of the soft-shelled turtle's body weight on the feed board in the pond, and at the same time, splash a little 1% concentration feed slurry   around the feed board. This direct stocking feeding method not only lets the hatchlings adapt quickly and eat well, but also greatly   increases the survival rate.