What are the breeding techniques for raising donkeys? Key points explained in one article

In the process of raising donkeys, donkey breeding is also very important, because the quality and quantity of breeding directly affect the production of the next generation, so properly mastering some breeding techniques is very helpful for raising donkeys.

Breeding techniques for raising donkeys

The breeding techniques currently used mainly include: estrus identification, synchronous estrus, artificial insemination, natural mating, pregnancy diagnosis, etc.

1. Estrus identification

The estrus period of donkeys is long, so in order to ensure timely mating and reduce the number of matings and improve the conception rate of jennies, it is necessary to check for estrus and ovulation. The methods of estrus identification are external observation, teasing, vaginal examination and rectal examination. Usually, on the basis of external observation, rectal examination is the key method.

2. Synchronous estrus

The method of synchronizing the estrous cycle of jennies is called synchronous estrus or synchronized estrus. Synchronous estrus technology mainly uses hormone drugs to change the pattern of the natural estrous cycle, thereby adjusting and unifying the process of the estrous cycle, so that a group of jennies come into estrus and ovulate concentratedly within a specified time.

3. Artificial insemination

The artificial insemination procedure includes rectal examination, semen collection, semen dilution, insemination and other aspects. The whole work requires technicians to operate skillfully and to carry out strict disinfection, careful operation, and accurate preparation of diluents and medicinal solutions.

4. Natural mating

During natural mating, the jack approaches the jenny in estrus, develops sexual impulse, shows courtship and erection reflex, mounts the jenny, inserts the penis into the jenny's vagina and after several thrusts ejaculates in about 0.8 minutes, with a few jacks lasting more than 1 minute. The mating time is generally 1 to 1.5 minutes. The cervix of the jenny in estrus is open, and during full estrus the cervical canal can accommodate 2 to 3 fingers. The jack's penis is fully erect, and the swollen glans is pushed toward the vaginal fornix, with the urethral process inserted into the cervix. The thrusting of the penis creates negative pressure in the cervix, and during ejaculation the semen is sucked into the cervix or the body of the uterus. Because the estrus period of the jenny is long, it is relatively difficult to grasp the mating time, but the sperm of the jack can maintain fertilization capacity in the jenny's reproductive tract for as long as 3 to 5 days, so mating every other day does not affect the conception rate of the jenny.

5. Pregnancy diagnosis

Pregnancy examination of donkeys should be carried out about 18 days after insemination for the first pregnancy check, which can prevent silent estrus, empty pregnancy, false estrus and artificial abortion. Pregnancy examination often uses three methods: external observation, vaginal examination and rectal examination. (1) External examination. That is, judging whether the jenny is pregnant or not by observing the external manifestations of the jenny with the naked eye. (2) Vaginal examination. That is, judging whether the jenny is pregnant or not by examining the vaginal mucosa and the condition of the cervix. (3) Rectal examination. As with estrus identification, judging whether the jenny is pregnant or not by examining the condition of the ovaries and uterus through the rectum.

Key points for fattening donkeys in winter  

1. Selection of fattening donkeys  

Guanzhong donkeys and Dezhou donkeys are preferred. Guanzhong donkeys are mainly produced in the Guanzhong Plain area of Shaanxi Province, and after fattening their body weight can reach 250 to 290 kg; Dezhou donkeys are mainly produced in Dezhou City, Shandong, and after fattening their body weight can reach about 260 kg.  

2. Deworming and stomach strengthening before fattening  

Deworming and stomach strengthening can be carried out 2 to 3 days after the donkeys are stabled and settled. Use Chongkexing to expel internal parasites of donkeys; the oral dosage of its powder is 0.1 g per kg of body weight, and the dosage of its injection by subcutaneous injection is 0.2 ml per kg of body weight. Stomach strengthening is usually carried out 3 days after deworming, giving each donkey an oral dose of 60 to 100 g of artificial salt or 450 g of stomach-strengthening powder.  

3. Fattening and feeding of young donkeys  

Young donkeys purchased from other places should be trained more intensively so that they gradually adapt to local feeding conditions. At first, corn, wheat and the like can be ground into powder, boiled into a thin porridge and a little sugar added to induce them to eat; after several days, in addition to normal grass feeding, feed 80 to 100 g of concentrate per day, and then gradually increase it. Throughout the entire fattening period of a young donkey, about 500 kg of concentrate is needed.  

4. Fattening and feeding of adult donkeys  

For adult donkeys purchased from other places, first feed some easily digestible feed such as green grass and bran, and feed small amounts frequently, with each feeding only about 60 to 70 percent full, and wait until they eat grass normally before entering the fattening period. The mixed roughage during the fattening period is mainly high-quality hay, soybean stalk powder and corn stalk powder, and the mixed concentrate is generally 50% soybean cake, 30% cornmeal and 20% bran.  

Donkey raising techniques  

1. Scientific feeding principles for meat donkeys  

When raising meat donkeys, first feed them in separate troughs according to age, sex, body condition and body weight.  

Fix the trough position, tie the halter short, and feed 4 times a day in the morning, noon, evening and night (for the draft-meat dual-purpose type); in summer when the days are long, one more feeding can be given during the day, and in winter one fewer feeding can be given during the day. Roughage should be chopped short and fine, achieving “7 cm grass chopped three times”; concentrate should be selectively processed by crushing, flattening, soaking and fermenting to improve its palatability and intake and promote digestion and absorption. Feed a complete compound feed, because the donkey's stomach volume is small, feed small amounts frequently, and provide supplementary feed at night. When donkeys eat hay they need a large amount of digestive juice, so ensure a sufficient supply of clean drinking water and an appropriate amount of salt. Salt can increase appetite and promote digestion and absorption.  

2. Fattening methods for adult donkeys

For donkeys newly purchased from other places, first feed some easily digestible feed such as green grass and bran, and feed small amounts frequently, with each feeding only 60 to 70 percent full. After they eat grass normally, they enter the introduction feeding period. During this period the mixed roughage is mainly millet straw, soybean stalk powder and corn stalk powder, and the mixed concentrate includes: 50% soybean cake, 30% cornmeal, 20% bran. Fattening donkeys just purchased from other places may not like the above feed or may not eat it at all; they can first be trained to eat, and after seven days they will eat it automatically.  

Fattening donkeys bought specifically for the purpose can be fed twice a day (only roughage is given at night), and feeding to 80 percent full is sufficient. After two months of feeding, they should be slaughtered or sold at the appropriate time according to the donkey's body condition and market price. In addition, the concentrate and roughage used in the fattening period of adult donkeys should also be selected according to local natural resources and market conditions, adapting to local conditions; roughage can use cottonseed hulls, millet straw, soybean stalk powder, corn stalk powder, etc., and concentrate can use soybean meal, peanut cake, soybean cake, or cooked sorghum, or soybean ground into powder and mixed with grass for feeding.  

Feeding methods for young donkeys  

We all know that colostrum can improve animals' resistance, so farmers should guide young donkeys to eat colostrum as early as possible. If the young donkey cannot suckle on its own, it needs to be fed artificially.  

In the period after the young donkey is born, farmers should pay attention to observing the young donkey's behavior and physical condition, and should often check whether the base of the young donkey's tail is soiled by feces and whether the umbilical cord is inflamed, so as to discover problems in time and solve them in time.  

If the jenny has no milk, farmers can find a jenny with a close due date to nurse the foal, and if conditions do not allow, milk powder or cow's milk or donkey milk can be used for artificial rearing.  

15 days after the young donkey is born, training the foal to eat grass and feed can begin. The supplementary grass should use high-quality gramineous hay and alfalfa hay, allowing it to eat freely. The amount of supplementary feed should be flexibly controlled according to the jenny's milk yield and the foal's nutritional status, appetite and digestion.  

From the above introduction we can see that donkey breeding still has certain techniques and experience to follow, so for new farmers, the best method is to learn more from successful farmers, communicate with them more, and draw on some of their practical experience and techniques.