Key Technical Points and Management Methods for Weasel Farming
The weasel, scientifically known as the yellow weasel (Siberian weasel), is a small carnivore that is nocturnal and inhabits plains, swamps, river valleys, villages, cities and mountainous areas. It mainly feeds on rodents and occasionally eats other small mammals. Its fur is suitable for making watercolor or oil painting brushes, which Chinese people call "langhao" (wolf hair). It has a certain farming value. Let's take a look at weasel farming techniques below!
Weasel Cage and Housing Facilities
The weasel cage is composed of a wire-mesh cage connected to a nest box. The wire-mesh cage is the place for eating and activity, 70 cm long, 40 cm wide and 40 cm high, with a frame welded from steel bars or angle steel and enclosed with wire mesh with a mesh diameter of 1-2 cm. A door is set on top of the cage for feeding and cleaning. A hole is left at the bottom of the side of the cage to connect with the nest box for the weasel to enter and exit. The nest box is for the weasel to rest and give birth, slightly smaller than the cage, nailed together from thick hard boards, with a door also set on the box for cleaning and inspection. The cage site should be dry, ventilated, sunny, hygienic and quiet, and human interference should be avoided as much as possible. For large-scale farming or those with the means, a shed roof can be erected over the cage for rain and sun protection, and a wall can be built separately with bricks, stones or sheet iron.
Weasel Breeding Methods
Weasels reach sexual maturity at 8-10 months of age, produce 1 litter per year, can be used for 3-4 years, have a gestation period of 33-38 days, and give birth to 5-10 cubs per litter. Weasels are seasonally breeding animals. In the south, the estrus and mating period is from February to April each year, and in the north from April to May. During estrus, males and females are frequently active, eat less, and often call to seek the opposite sex. The male's testicles swell and become round, its temperament is irritable, and it makes "gugu" calls from time to time. In the early stage of estrus in females, the external genitalia are slightly swollen and protruding, pink in color, and clearly exposed. In the peak stage of estrus, the external genitalia are obviously red and swollen, red or purplish red, the labia are everted, there is mucus, the pubic hair bundles turn to both sides, and the temperament is gentle. Mating under such conditions gives the highest conception rate. After the first mating, they should be mated again 2-3 times. The ratio of males to females is suitably 1:4-5. When the weasel has been pregnant for about 30 days, it begins nest-building, and at this time soft, clean dry grass is placed in the nest box. Before giving birth, the female is excited and restless, enters and exits frequently, and may even refuse food. The birthing process takes 20-30 minutes. During the breeding period, keep the environment quiet so as to prevent the female from being startled and suffering miscarriage, premature birth, difficult birth, or biting and eating the cubs.
Nursing of Weasel Cubs
Within 2 weeks of birth, the cubs live entirely on breast milk. When the female begins to feed the cubs, feed rich in nutrition and abundant in vitamin A and vitamin D should be supplied. When the cubs can feed freely, feed them 2 times a day. The feed should preferably be easily digestible and nutrient-rich semi-liquid or viscous food, such as milk, eggs and chopped fresh fish, and attention should be paid to keeping it warm and fresh. Under normal circumstances, they can be weaned at 30 days of age. After weaning, they are kept separately in cages, and cubs of the same size are kept together in cages, 2-3 per cage. In summer, provide shade for the cages, ensure sufficient drinking water, and prevent heatstroke. Utensils should be cleaned and disinfected frequently, and cages should be cleaned in time. If the cubs show abnormal signs such as listlessness, slow movement, erect fur, dry eyes, arched back, tail hair stained with feces, and refusal to eat, they should be checked and treated in time. After 90 days of age, they are raised and managed as adult weasels. The cubs of the current year can be skinned in early winter, or put into the breeding population the following spring.
Weasel Feeding and Management
Weasels are fed twice a day: 40% of the daily ration is fed at 7-8 am, and 60% of the daily ration is fed at 5-6 pm (4-5 pm in winter). For females during pregnancy and lactation, a small additional feeding is given once at noon. Except in winter and during lactation, feeding is stopped once a week to stimulate their appetite. Check the weasels' spirit, activity, appetite, feces and other conditions daily, and treat them in time when they become ill. Check the cages frequently, and repair damaged areas immediately. Every evening before feeding, thoroughly clean the cages, replace the bedding grass, scrub the feeding utensils, and refill the clean water. Regularly disinfect the site, cages and utensils. In summer, do a good job of heat prevention, moisture prevention and disease prevention.
Weasel Feed Formulation
1. Feed formulation: The mixed feed for weasels should strive for diversity, rich nutrition and good palatability. Animal feed includes livestock, poultry, and mice, frogs, fish, birds, snakes, insects, etc. Grain feed includes cornmeal, bran, soybean cake, etc. Vegetable feed includes radish, Chinese cabbage, beet, etc., either fresh or dried and stored. Mineral feed includes salt, bone meal, etc.
2. Non-breeding period: The feed for weasels during the non-breeding period is 30% fish or meat, 25% internal organs, 35% grain, 10% vegetables, plus 0.5 g salt, 2 g bone meal, 2 g yeast, and 0.5 g cod liver oil.
3. Breeding period: The feed for weasels during the breeding period is 40% fish or meat, 25% internal organs, 5% milk, 20% grain, 10% vegetables, plus 0.5 g salt, 1.5 g bone meal, 2 g yeast, and 1 g cod liver oil.
4. Daily feeding amount: The daily ration for adult weasels over 90 days of age is 150-200 g for males and 130-180 g for females, preferably enough to eat their fill without leftovers.
Notes: In weasel farming, during the non-breeding period, animal feed is best based on chicken internal organs, fish, frogs and cicada pupae, to ensure the need for protein and improve fur quality. During the estrus and mating period, increase the feeding of fish meal, livestock and poultry heads and internal organs to promote the development of sexual organs. During pregnancy and lactation, feed a complete-price diet, and feed more palatable feed such as frogs and live loaches. Vegetables should be fresh and hygienic, and spoiled feed should not be fed.