Feeding and Management Techniques for Adult Toads in Toad Farming

After overwintering, juvenile toads can be released into adult toad breeding ponds for rearing. After a period of growth and development, they will reach body maturity and sexual maturity, and can be used as breeding toads or toads for venom extraction. They can also be raised in net cages set up in reservoirs, ponds, rivers, etc. The basic feeding and management requirements for toads in net cages are the same as for pond culture.

(1) Preparing the terrestrial activity area

Trees, crops or vegetables can be planted in the terrestrial activity area. In summer, build shade shelters and construct some porous rockeries and brick or stone piles. Set up several insect-attracting lamps as needed to lure insects as live bait.

(2) Pond clearing and disinfection: see the tadpole feeding and management section of this chapter.

(3) Stocking

1. Toad body disinfection: use 2% salt water to bathe and disinfect the toads.

2. Separate pond stocking: classify by size and stock separately in different ponds; juvenile toads of the same size should be stocked in the same breeding pond.

3. Stocking time: when the water temperature rises above 18°C, toads can be stocked.

4. Stocking density: usually 10-30 toads per square meter. Breeding toads: 5-10 per square meter.

(4) Feeding

1. Feeding requirements: the feed should be nutritionally complete and sufficient in quantity. Especially for toads used for venom extraction, before and after venom extraction, animal feed and protein feed should be supplied abundantly to ensure rapid physical recovery after venom extraction and the production of new venom. When live bait is abundant, mainly feed live bait. If the farming scale is large, carry out food habit training during the juvenile toad stage and mainly feed compound feed.

2. Daily feeding amount: the absolute feeding amount is much larger than that for juvenile toads. The daily feeding amount is 10%-15% of the toad's body weight, and the daily compound feed amount is 7%-10% of body weight. The principles for determining the feeding amount are the same as for juvenile toads.

3. Feeding time: feed 1-2 times daily. If feeding once, it should be at 4 p.m.; if feeding twice, once at 9 a.m. and once at 4 p.m.

4. Feeding method: the same as for juvenile toads.

(5) Controlling water temperature, water quality and humidity

1. Water temperature: pay attention to adjusting the water temperature and keep it at 25°C-30°C.

2. Water quality: the same as tadpole feeding and management. Generally change the water once every 2-3 days, replacing 1/10-1/5 of the pond water each time. The temperature difference of the replacement water should not exceed 2°C. In hot summer, it is best to change the water once a day, with a water change amount of 1/2.

3. Humidity: keep the land where toads come ashore to rest moist, with high air humidity.

(6) Other management requirements

Mainly include the following: 1) Prevent natural enemies and escape. 2) Timely remove dead toads and leftover feed from feed trays, and scrub and disinfect the feeding trays. 3) In summer, plant aquatic plants in the pond or build shade shelters to lower the temperature, and regularly splash disinfectant (once every 5-7 days). 4) Observe the feeding situation of adult toads and treat diseases promptly when found. 5) Ensure the farming area is quiet. 6) Do a good job in overwintering management of adult toads.