Management Points for Raccoon Dog Farming in Different Periods

Because the raccoon dog tolerates coarse feed, has few diseases, is easy to manage, and has low farming costs, it is favored by many fur animal farmers. However, some farmers manage raccoon dogs in a relatively extensive way, resulting in poor fur quality and small pelts, which affects economic returns. Below is a brief introduction to the management points for raccoon dogs in each period.

1. Pre-breeding period

In the early stage, the daily ration should be based on the principle of eating enough, and animal feed should not be less than 10% of the daily ration. Increase feed with a high fat content; the feed should be diverse and sufficient drinking water should be provided. In the late stage of the pre-breeding period, the daily ration should be adjusted according to the body condition of the raccoon dogs, appropriately increasing complete-price animal feed, supplementing vitamins, making feed varieties as diverse as possible, and feeding appropriate amounts of yeast, malt, vitamin A, E, etc. Starting in October, a small amount of feed that stimulates estrus, such as scallions and garlic, can be fed every 2 to 3 days. During the pre-breeding period, attention should be paid to cold protection and heat preservation, good environmental sanitation should be maintained, and drinking water should always be available.

2. Breeding period

The raccoon dog's daily ration should be complete-price, among which crude protein and vitamins A, E, D, and B must be satisfied, and the proportion of animal feed should be increased. The daily ration of male raccoon dogs should be mainly fish, meat, milk, and eggs. Management of sanitation inside the housing should be strengthened, contaminated bedding should be replaced regularly, and the pairing time should be well controlled, preferably half an hour or more after feeding.

3. Gestation period

After female raccoon dogs are mated and fertilized, the daily ration is required to be nutritionally complete, fresh in quality, highly palatable, and contain sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals. The feed should be slightly thinner; it can be fed twice a day in the early stage and 3 times a day in the later stage. Throughout the gestation period, the farm should remain quiet to prevent fright, drinking water should be strengthened, and the appetite, digestion, and activity of the raccoon dog group should be carefully observed.

4. Lactation period

To promote lactation, milk-type feed can be added to the daily ration. In addition to increasing protein, vitamins, and minerals in the daily ration, the feed should be prepared finely, and the amount of gruel feed fed should not be restricted. When young raccoon dogs refuse to eat or the mother's milk is insufficient, supplementary feeding can be done manually: grind fresh animal feed, add grain feed and vitamin C, mix evenly with milk, and feed as a supplement.

5. Recovery period

From after male raccoon dogs finish breeding (April) until the sexual organs develop again (September), and for female raccoon dogs from weaning and separation of the young until September, male raccoon dogs within 20 days after breeding and female raccoon dogs within 20 days after weaning should be fed the daily rations for the breeding period and the farrowing and lactation period respectively, and afterward should be fed the normal recovery-period daily ration. During this period, the proportion of animal feed in the daily ration should not be less than 10%; after August to September, the animal protein in the daily ration must be increased.

6. Nursing period for young raccoon dogs

The nursing period for young raccoon dogs refers to late June to the end of October or early November. In the first 2 months, high-quality, complete-price feed should be supplied, and the daily supply of protein feed should be no less than 50 grams per animal; afterward it should be gradually reduced, but not less than 30 to 40 grams per day per animal, fed 2 to 3 times a day. When feeding twice, the morning feeding accounts for 40% and the evening feeding accounts for 60%; when feeding 3 times, morning, midday, and evening account for 30%, 20%, and 50% of the daily ration respectively. In management, methods such as food luring and petting should be used to strengthen domestication. In summer, attention should be paid to heat prevention and disease prevention; feeding utensils and the environment should be disinfected frequently, and at the same time attention should be paid to shading and ventilation of the cages and housing, sufficient drinking water should be provided, and heatstroke should be prevented.