Experience and Techniques for Farming Turtles in Rice Paddies

Farming turtles in rice paddies is a new farming technique in which animals and plants live in the same environment and benefit each other ecologically. It also makes reuse of the spaces between rice paddy crops, does not occupy land resources, and can save feeding costs, reduce field pest damage and reduce the amount of fertilizer used in rice paddies, forming complementary and mutually beneficial measures that greatly increase the economic benefit per unit area.

1. Paddy selection and facilities Select fields with good water sources, convenient irrigation and drainage, and no tendency to leak. Build escape-prevention facilities around the paddy. Use thick plastic film around the perimeter to form an escape wall 50-80 cm high; asbestos tiles and similar materials can also be used for enclosure. In principle, it is enough as long as the turtles cannot escape. Dig several water ditches in the field, preferably 30-50 cm deep and 40-60 cm wide. Build an egg-laying platform in the center of the field, 5 m long and 1 m wide. It can be made by piling up mud, with sandy soil placed in the middle of the platform and 45-degree slopes on all sides so that turtles can lay eggs. 2. Stocking species selection It is advisable to choose mainly aquatic turtles such as the Chinese pond turtle, yellow-margined box turtle, seven-colored turtle, alligator snapping turtle, and silver-line turtle. Do not choose dry-land tortoises, and it is also unsuitable to choose turtle species that can climb and escape easily, such as the big-headed turtle, four-eyed turtle, and six-eyed turtle. Species combinations and sizes should be adapted to local conditions, but should be as uniform as possible so that they eat evenly and do not compete for food. They can be raised alone or mixed. 3. Stocking density After rice is transplanted, turtle hatchlings can be released. If breeding is the main purpose, generally stock 120 turtles per mu (female-to-male ratio 2:1). If the main purpose is raising commercial turtles, then stock 600 young turtles (80-100 g) per mu for returns in the same year, or 2,000 hatchlings (8-10 g) per mu for returns in 2-3 years. Select healthy, disease-free turtles for release into the field. 4. Feed feeding Every day, feed at a fixed location, fixed time, fixed amount, and fixed quality. However, because there are insects in the paddy and also small aquatic animals for the turtles to eat, the feeding amount can be reduced by half compared with the conventional daily feeding amount (3%) (referring to complete feed). If some field snails, loaches, and similar animals are released into the paddy in advance, these aquatic animals can continually reproduce and provide free food for the turtles, saving feeding costs. Plant-based feed can be provided by pre-stocking red azolla, green azolla, and similar plants in the field; field weeds are also tasty plant feed for turtles. 5. Daily field management Because turtles eat plant-based feed, herbicides should not be applied. Turtle excrement itself can serve as fertilizer, so the amount of field fertilization should be reduced by half compared with conventional fertilization. Generally, only 15 kg of urea needs to be spread per mu per rice season. Normally, keep the field water level at 6-10 cm. In principle, do not let it dry out; it is enough that there is water in the ditches. In high-temperature seasons, irrigate frequently to keep the water quality fresh. 6. Disease and pest prevention When farming turtles in double-cropping rice paddies, the harvest of the first rice crop coincides with midsummer. After harvest, the water ditches should be shaded. Use locally available materials by tying fresh rice straw into bundles and covering them along the ditch edges, so that intense sunlight does not raise the water temperature above 42°C and kill the turtles. Because turtles can catch and kill pests, pest damage is unlikely in the middle and lower parts of the rice. Only the upper leaf surfaces of the rice stems sometimes have pests. High-efficiency, low-toxicity pesticides can be used. When spraying pesticides, spray as fine a mist as possible so that the pesticide does not sink down into the field. If conditions permit, turtles can first be fed detoxifying medicine as a preventive measure, or bait can be used to lead the turtles to a safe area before applying the pesticide. Hatchlings must be protected from snakes, rats, hawks, and similar animals entering the field. The main disease in paddy turtle farming is enteritis, and a small amount of enteritis medication such as Changyankang can be added to the feed every half month. Wild plant-based feeds such as iron weed, purslane, and ground ivy have special effects in preventing enteritis. Because stocking density in rice paddies is low and the environment is good, disease generally occurs less often. For those for same-year returns, they can be harvested and sold before the Start of Winter. Turtles to be sold the following year can be transferred into ponds or indoor housing, or can overwinter naturally.