How newborn mink kits can promptly get mother's milk
????1. Properly control the feed amount of the mother mink in late pregnancy
When the mother mink enters late pregnancy, the feed amount should not be given on demand, but should be properly controlled on the principle of meeting the needs of fetal growth, so that the pregnant mother mink is in moderate body condition, creating good conditions for the rapid growth of the fetus in the mother's body. At the same time, it also lays the foundation for the pregnant mother mink to give birth smoothly later and to have sufficient milk production.
The daily ration standard for the mother mink at this stage is: fresh eggs 65g, high-quality imported fish meal 20g, grain powder 15g, high-quality milk powder 8g (or fresh cow's or sheep's milk 10g). Multivitamin glucose 6g and an appropriate amount of fresh vegetables. In addition, just add various vitamins according to the needs of late pregnancy. The above feed standard is the daily amount for 1 pregnant mother mink.
????2. Feed lactation-promoting tablets before the mother mink gives birth
In order to ensure that the pregnant mother mink has enough milk after giving birth, so that newborn mink kits can promptly get mother's milk, feeding lactation-promoting tablets before the mother mink gives birth can effectively increase the survival rate of newborn mink kits. The method of feeding lactation-promoting tablets 1-2 days before the pregnant mother mink gives birth is: first calculate the birth period of the pregnant mother mink well. For most mother mink, the gestation period from mating to birth is 47±3 (handle the few mother mink that give birth early or late as appropriate). Therefore, lactation-promoting tablets should be fed 1-2 days before the mother mink is due. On the seventh day, give the mother mink 1 time a day, 0.3g each time (1 tablet). Grind the tablet into fine powder and put it on the surface of the food. After the mother mink gives birth, feed it for another 1-2 days. When checking the birth nest box, if the mink kits are huddled together, warm to the touch, and have round, bulging bellies, it means the mink kits have drunk enough milk, and the lactation-promoting tablets can be stopped for the mother mink.
?3. Remove the down around the udder of the mother mink that has given birth at the proper time
To ensure that newborn mink kits can smoothly find the teats and promptly get mother's milk. Therefore, after the mother mink has finished giving birth, the down around the mother mink's udder must be removed. The method is: after the mother mink that has given birth passes black stool, gently lure it out of the nest and insert a blocking board. Use a transfer cage box to move it out, then move the mink kits indoors for warmth, but be careful not to get other odors on the mink kits. Then take the mother mink to a place far from the mink kits, with one person holding it firmly, and one person removing the hair for it. When the teats are exposed, check the teats one by one, and gently squeeze the teats with the thumb and index finger of the right hand. Once milk is seen, stop squeezing immediately. The purpose of doing this is, first, to check the number of teats of the mother mink and whether the milk is sufficient. This makes it possible to know the situation clearly and make a foster-nursing plan in time. Second, the squeezed teats carry the smell of milk, making it easier for the mink kits to find the teats and promptly get mother's milk. After the operation is finished, take the mother mink back to the mink shed and first let the mother mink drink enough water, then send the warmed mink kits back into the nest, and then remove the blocking board to let the mother mink return to the nest.