What are the management methods for foxes at different stages?
The fox is a carnivorous animal. Although its reputation in our country is not very good, products made from its fur are very popular on the market. Our country now also has a certain area of artificial breeding. The most important thing in fox breeding is good feeding management, but the management methods for foxes vary with the growth stage. Below, the editor brings you the management methods for foxes at different stages. Let's take a look!
1. Growth period
Fox kits generally begin to imitate the mother fox and start eating at around 2-3 weeks, and can generally be separated for rearing at around one and a half months. Management during this period is mainly to ensure the survival of the fox kits. After weaning, fox kits rapidly increase their growth rate. This is the key to determining their later body size, so during this period sufficient, high-quality feed must be provided to ensure every fox kit eats its fill and obtains sufficient nutrients. They must be fed at least twice a day, with regular and fixed amounts, so that the fox kits absorb nutrients evenly. In addition, during the growth period, work on heat prevention and disease prevention must also be done well, the fox shed must be cleaned regularly, and disinfection and hygiene must be done well to prevent foxes from having stress reactions.
2. Winter fur period
After entering winter, the temperature gradually drops. We must promptly spread an appropriate amount of bedding straw in the fox shed, which helps foxes comb their fur and tidy their coats on the straw. They should be appropriately grouped for rearing according to the breeding direction. For fur-use foxes, increase high-fat feed and increase the feed amount to improve the luster of the fur and enhance fur quality. Winter is the period when the reproductive system of breeding foxes develops, so attention must be paid to controlling the body condition of breeding foxes to prevent uneven body size and improve the reproductive rate of breeding foxes. Then strengthen the sanitation management of the fox shed, promptly clean up feces, leftover feed, ice and snow, etc., to prevent contamination and wear of the fur.
3. Breeding period
When selecting breeding foxes, pay attention to observing the body shape of the breeding foxes, ensuring that the breeding foxes have long legs, long bodies, robust growth, and fine, soft fur. It is best to choose female foxes that are gentle in temperament, well domesticated, have obvious estrus symptoms, and a high reproductive rate. During the breeding period, the appetite of breeding foxes gradually decreases, so we should reduce the feed amount and increase the feeding frequency. After the temperature gradually rises, begin to increase the feeding amount. After foxes begin estrus and mating, regularly check the estrus condition. When the female fox's genitalia are swollen, dark black in color, and have mucus discharge, begin mating. The gestation period of the female fox is about two months, but within half a month after mating, the feed amount must be controlled to prevent the female fox from becoming too fat, which affects implantation and reduces the litter rate.
4. Lactation period
The consumption of a lactating female fox is very great, and the harm to the female fox's body is relatively serious. At this time, the nutritional content of the feed should be increased. Appropriately supplement protein products. When the food intake of the fox kits increases and the mother fox's milk is insufficient, increase the feeding amount. If fox kits are found calling and the mother fox occasionally walks out of the nest box, it means the fox kits are not getting enough food. At this time, promptly check whether the bellies of the fox kits are full and whether the mother fox's milk secretion is sufficient. If the fox kits cannot find the nipples because they are covered by milk fur, promptly pluck the milk fur. If it is determined that the cause is insufficient milk secretion, then according to the specific condition of the mother fox, appropriately foster them with another mother.
The above is a brief introduction to the management methods for fox breeding at different stages. The management methods of fox breeding are very important. If management is not done well, it will hinder the growth of foxes, reduce the survival rate of fox kits, make continuous and efficient breeding impossible, and cause low economic benefits in breeding. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.