Types of Animal-Based Feed for Raccoon Dogs and Methods of Use

Animal-based feed is an important part of the raccoon dog's diet composition, and it has a great influence on the raccoon dog's health, reproduction and fur quality. The animal-based feeds used in artificial @#@252@#@ farming mainly include fish, meat, fish and meat offal, milk, eggs and dried animal-based feed products.

(1) Fish

It is the main source of animal protein. Except for poisonous fish such as pufferfish, most marine fish and freshwater fish can be used as feed for raccoon dogs. In addition to containing relatively high protein, fish also contains fat, vitamin A, vitamin D and inorganic salts, etc. The digestibility is almost the same as that of meat. The energy content varies greatly depending on the fish species, generally 3.35-3.77 megajoules per kg.

During the breeding period, raccoon dogs should be fed fish of good quality and relatively high protein content, such as sea catfish, flounder, etc.; during the autumn moulting season, fish with relatively high fat content such as hairtail can be fed; at other times, some inexpensive miscellaneous fish can be fed. Fresh fish fed raw has higher nutritional value than fed cooked, but some marine fish (such as red gurnard, goby, sweetfish, etc.) and most freshwater fish (especially cyprinids) contain thiaminase, which can destroy vitamin B1. If fed raw for a long time, it easily causes vitamin B1 deficiency, so all should be fed cooked. When feeding fish, attention must be paid to ensuring the quality is fresh, because fish contain a relatively high content of unsaturated fatty acids, and improper storage makes them very prone to oxidative rancidity and the production of peroxides, decomposing into toxins, which after feeding can cause poisoning, causing steatitis, hemorrhagic enteritis, abscess disease and vitamin deficiency, etc. When feeding fish, it should be mixed with meat and meat offal and other feeds as much as possible to strengthen the complementary effect of nutrients.

(2) Meat

It is a complete-protein feed with very high nutritional value. It contains all the essential amino acids in quantities and proportions similar to those of the raccoon dog's body, and also contains nutrients such as fat, vitamins and inorganic salts. It has strong palatability and high digestibility, and is an ideal variety in raccoon dog feed.

Raccoon dogs can eat the meat of almost all animals. Fresh meat can be fed raw, with strong palatability and high digestibility. Meat of unclear origin or not fresh must be thoroughly cooked before feeding. Fresh crushed bone together with the residual meat on the bone is also part of the raccoon dog's meat feed. When feeding raccoon dogs with fresh crushed bone and small bone frames (rabbit bone frames), grind them together with the residual meat and feed. The amount of fresh crushed bone fed can account for 10%-15% of the animal-based feed. Measly pork (cysticercus-infected pork) can be fed after high-temperature cooking, and can account for about 20% of the animal-based feed; it should not be too much.

(3) Fish and Meat Offal

1. Fish offal. Coastal areas and aquatic product processing plants have large amounts of fish heads, fish skeletons, internal organs and other scraps, with no small annual output, urgently awaiting use, and they are protein feed for raccoon dogs. Fresh skeletons can be fed raw, and during the breeding period the amount fed must not exceed 20% of the animal-based feed; during the growth period of young raccoon dogs and the winter fur growth period it can be increased to 40%; those with poorer freshness must be fed cooked.

2. Livestock and poultry offal. Mainly including animal heads, lower ends of limbs and internal organs, etc., they are relatively ideal cheap animal-based feed. (1) Liver contains about 20% protein, 5% fat and various vitamins and inorganic salts, and is a necessary feed for raccoon dogs during the breeding period and the rearing period of young raccoon dogs. Fresh liver can be fed raw; because liver has a mild laxative effect, the amount fed can account for 15%-20% of the animal-based feed. It should be increased gradually from less to more to avoid causing diarrhea. (2) Heart and kidney are very rich in protein and vitamins, have good palatability, and are easy to digest and absorb. They are generally fed during the breeding period, and fresh heart and kidney can be fed raw. (3) Lungs contain a certain amount of protein, iron and vitamins, but have a lot of connective tissue and low digestibility. In addition, they have an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and raccoon dogs are prone to vomiting after eating them. Lungs often carry pathogens and parasites, so they must be fed cooked, and the amount fed can account for 10%-15% of the animal-based feed; it should not be too much. (4) Stomach and intestines can also be fed to raccoon dogs, but their nutritional value is not high. Stomach and intestines must be used after being thoroughly cooked at high temperature, and can account for 20%-30% of the animal-based feed. If stomach and intestines are added to the daily ration, the feeding amount should be increased. (5) Brain contains a large amount of lecithin and various essential amino acids, has very high nutritional value, and especially promotes the development of the raccoon dog's reproductive organs, so it is called an estrus-inducing feed, and is generally fed appropriately during the pre-breeding period and the breeding period. Brain also has certain benefits for the growth of the raccoon dog's fur and for improving fur quality. (6) Blood has very high nutritional value. Fresh blood is best fed raw, stale blood must be fed cooked, and blood meal and blood tofu can be directly mixed into the feed and fed. The amount used can account for 10%-15% of the animal-based feed. (7) Rabbit head is a by-product of rabbit meat processing and can be ground and fed to raccoon dogs. It has relatively high nutritional value and can be given at 30% of the animal-based feed. However, during the breeding period the amount used should not be too much, so as to avoid adverse consequences caused by protein deficiency. (8) Poultry by-products mainly include neck, skin, internal organs, etc., which can be cooked and then ground to feed raccoon dogs. The usual amount is about 20% of the animal-based feed.

When feeding fish and meat offal, special attention must be paid to avoiding the use of livestock and poultry internal organs containing estrogen during the female raccoon dog's breeding period, such as uterus, placenta, fetus and livestock and poultry meat treated with estrogen. In particular, aborted placenta or fetus cannot be used, as they can cause reproductive function disorders, a decline in conception rate, few offspring or complete infertility of the whole group.

(4) Milk and Egg Feed

Mainly including fresh cow and sheep milk and dairy products such as sour curdled milk, skimmed milk and milk powder. Eggs refer to chicken, duck and goose eggs as well as unfertilized eggs during incubation, etc. They are complete feed with very rich nutritional components and are extremely easy to digest and absorb. They are generally fed during the raccoon dog's breeding period; they can promote lactation and the growth of young raccoon dogs, and in the daily ration should not exceed 20% of the total feed, as too much easily causes diarrhea. It is forbidden to feed raccoon dogs milk or eggs that are rancid or spoiled. Fresh milk needs to be heated to 70-80°C, sterilized for 15 minutes, and then fed to raccoon dogs.

(5) Dried Animal-Based Feed

Mainly including fish meal, meat meal, bone-meat meal, liver residue, feather meal, silkworm pupa meal and dried fish, etc. They have relatively high protein content and can be used to feed raccoon dogs. The usual amount can account for 20%-25% of the animal-based feed. Most dried feed contains more salt, and the salt must be thoroughly soaked out with water before use.