Detailed Explanation of Overwintering Techniques for Artificial Toad Farming
The scientific and technical staff of the Yuanhua Science and Technology Association in Haining, Zhejiang Province not only succeeded in artificially breeding Chinese toads (Bufo gargarizans), but also solved the problem of enabling toads to safely pass through 3~4 months of overwintering in the harsh winter, so that the toads can immediately undergo the work of removing toad skin and collecting venom after overwintering, and the overwintering survival rate greatly exceeds that of natural overwintering. Their methods are introduced below.
Around November each year, when the water temperature is about 10~12°C, toads enter the hibernation period, neither eating nor drinking, moving slowly. Originally active on dry land, at this time they need to go into the water to spend the winter. The main underwater overwintering measures are the following methods:
Before overwintering, dig several ditches in the middle or around the breeding farm, with the total ditch area accounting for 10%~20% of the site area, and store water 30~100 cm deep in the ditches; in the north it should be deeper. Stock 10~30 toads per square meter of water surface. On cold winter mornings, break the ice surface to allow oxygen to dissolve into the water, so as not to cause underwater toads to suffocate and die due to ice sealing.
They can also overwinter indoors, using jars, basins or buckets with 20 cm of water, then placing the toads in. But prevent the indoor temperature from being too high, which would cause insufficient hibernation in the toads; keep the water temperature at about 1~8°C, which is suitable.
If conditions permit, plastic-film greenhouses can be used for overwintering, keeping the air temperature inside the greenhouse at 1~10°C; but prevent the temperature inside the film from becoming too high at noon on clear days, and ventilate in time to exchange the air.
Whether overwintering outdoors, indoors or in a greenhouse, when building the pond, prevent water leakage; during management, check regularly, and if there is leakage, replenish the water in time. If there is no leakage and the water does not deteriorate, there is no need to change the water throughout the winter.
Before overwintering toads enter the water, spray and disinfect the pond water and the toads once with a 1/10,000 bleach powder solution to prevent pathogen invasion. Once spring arrives and the daily average temperature rises above 10°C, the toads will mate on their own and lay eggs in the water. At this time, use a mesh scoop to remove the eggs and put them into another pond of water for hatching. At the same time, the overwintered toads also climb ashore one after another to seek food, and overwintering ends. During overwintering, also prevent water rats, otters and other animals from eating the toads.