Daily Management Methods and Technical Key Points for Bamboo Rat Farms
Inspection
At 7:00 in the morning, the technician leads the keepers in inspecting the entire bamboo rat enclosure. Any sick or abnormal bamboo rats found are promptly recorded, the cause investigated, and a treatment plan made. Any bamboo rats found injured from fighting or biting are promptly isolated and treated. For female rats giving birth, postpartum care measures must be taken and farrowing records kept.
Artificial Nursing
Female rats in late pregnancy and those that have given birth should be supplementarily fed milk. Refer to the artificial nursing method for details.
Concentrate Feed Feeding
Mix concentrate feed for the bamboo rats according to the prescribed feed formula; please refer to the bamboo rat feed mixing demonstration for details. In winter, concentrate feed is fed at 9:00 in the morning; in summer, at 8:00 in the morning.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Thoroughly clean each rat pool (once every 2 to 3 days). When cleaning the pools of newly kindled bamboo rats, move gently and never startle the mother rat; simply scrape away the mother rat's droppings lightly.
Roughage Feeding
Roughage generally consists of bamboo, sugarcane, Pennisetum hydridum (king grass), cassava stems, thatch roots, etc. The amount of roughage fed must be sufficient and fresh. Check one hour after feeding; any rat pool where the feed has been finished should be replenished promptly. Roughage is fed at 10:00 in the morning.
Inspection and Treatment of Bamboo Rats
Conduct regular inspection and recording; sick or injured bamboo rats must be treated promptly. Refer to the operating procedures for bamboo rat disease treatment for details. Treatment of bamboo rats is carried out at 3:00 in the afternoon.
Supplementary Roughage Feeding
At 4:00 in the afternoon, supplementarily feed bamboo, sugarcane, Pennisetum hydridum (king grass), cassava stems, etc.
Supplementary Corn Kernel Feeding
Soak fresh, non-moldy corn kernels in water for about 3 hours, then air-dry them (do this at noon during the day). Feed about 15 kernels per bamboo rat. Corn kernel feeding is carried out at 5:00 in the afternoon.