How to raise foxes? Five-stage feeding method teaches you to raise foxes well
Scientific fox farming should be based on raising excellent breeds. The level of reproductive capacity and the quality of daily feeding management are the key links determining the size of breeding benefits. The following introduces the five-stage feeding method for reference by fox farmers.
On the premise of selecting excellent fox breeds, attention should be paid to correctly identifying the estrus characteristics of female foxes and male foxes, carrying out mating well, and improving the conception rate, so as to increase their reproductive capacity as much as possible and make all the cubs born survive and grow strong.
Feeding management before mating. At present, most fox farmers mainly raise silver foxes and blue foxes. Silver foxes enter the mating preparation period from December to January of the following year, while the mating preparation period for blue foxes can be extended to February. The main task during this period is to adjust the nutritional level of the daily ration and increase the proportion of protein in the daily ration, so that the breeding foxes reach an above-medium body condition before mating. For breeding foxes that are too fat or too thin, different nutritional standards should be applied so that they reach 5 to 6 kg before mating. At the same time, light should be gradually increased to stimulate gonadal development, and breeding foxes can be placed in sunny places.
Feeding management during the mating period. The mating period for silver foxes is from February to March, and the mating period for blue foxes is from March to April. During this period, breeding foxes should be supplied with feed that is rich in nutrition, good in palatability, and easy to digest, and the proportion of trace elements and multivitamins in the feed should be appropriately increased. Per kg of feed, 20 to 30 mg of vitamin E, 4 to 5 g of onion or garlic, and 1 to 1.5 g of trace elements can be added. In terms of management, attention should be paid to correctly identifying the estrus characteristics of breeding foxes and to observing them to prevent missed mating. Generally, after a female fox enters estrus, the vulva swells and the clitoris enlarges; afterward, the vulva changes from long to round; then the vulva turns outward, is elastic, and discharges a small amount of secretion. This is the peak estrus period and can last 3 to 5 days. The external genitalia of the male fox change correspondingly with the annual estrus rhythm of the female fox. During the non-estrus period of the female fox, the male fox's testes are very small. They begin to develop in August to September, fully develop in November, and by the female fox's estrus period the male fox's testes are fully developed, elastic, and the scrotum visibly droops, giving it mating ability. The peak estrus period of the female fox is the golden period for mating and conception, and mating should be carried out at the right time. Mating activity should be chosen in the morning or evening when both sides have the strongest sexual desire. Put the female fox into the male fox's cage and strictly prevent external interference. The breeder should monitor from a dark place. Generally, mating can be completed in half an hour to 45 minutes. If mating has still not been completed after 1 hour, the male fox should be replaced immediately. If artificial insemination is used, note that foxes are animals that ejaculate into the uterus, so semen must be accurately introduced into the uterus, and the number of effective sperm introduced each time must be no less than 100 million. To ensure conception and improve the conception rate, whether natural mating or artificial insemination is used, mating should be carried out once more the next day.
Feeding management during pregnancy. Female foxes have a particularly strong demand for nutrition during pregnancy. Attention should be paid to supplying feed with comprehensive nutrition and good quality, and it is strictly forbidden to feed moldy, rotten, or frozen feed to prevent miscarriage. At the same time, the hygiene and disinfection of the fox house should be done well, the fox house should be kept quiet, and strong stress factors such as frightening should be minimized.
Feeding management during lactation. Female foxes have poor appetite in the early stage after giving birth, so it is best to feed less and add more frequently. After 3 days, feed 3 times a day, at fixed times and in fixed amounts. When cubs reach 25 days of age, supplementary feeding should be carried out, generally 2 times a day. This can reduce the nursing burden on the female fox and also meet the growth and development needs of the cubs. During supplementary feeding, fresh fish, liver, eggs, milk, and so on can be mixed into a paste for the cubs to eat, and after supplementary feeding they should be returned to the original nest.
Feeding management during the growing period. Cubs can generally be weaned and separated from the nest at 45 to 50 days of age. In production, this can be flexibly controlled according to the growth and development of the cubs. Those that are strong and capable of living independently should be separated earlier; those that are weaker should have their separation delayed. After separation, the cubs enter the growing period. Because the cubs grow and develop relatively quickly at this stage and their fur grows rapidly in the later stage, they need a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, in production, the cubs should be allowed to eat well and be full as much as possible to ensure their normal growth and development.