What to do with artificially bred leeches in winter?

Leeches, commonly known as leeches , are a type of annelid that lives in fresh water. They have wide application value in medicine and cosmetics and are mostly artificially bred . Winter is a critical period for leech farming, and appropriate measures need to be taken to ensure the safe wintering of leeches. So what should we do with artificially bred leeches in winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Wintering in a Dry Pond

When the outside temperature is below 10℃, drain the water in the breeding pond, and then cover the top and sides of the breeding pond with a layer of straw or plastic film to keep warm and moist. This method is suitable for large-scale commercial leech farming. It can prevent a large number of leeches from freezing or dying and save costs.

2. Temperature regulation

Try to keep the water temperature within the range of 10℃-15℃, which is the suitable temperature for leeches to overwinter. This can be achieved by using heating equipment or adjusting the temperature in the shed.

3. Lighting management

During the winter, try to reduce the lighting time as much as possible to let the leeches enter a dormant state to save energy. You can also set up shading measures such as shading nets on the roof or beside the pool to control the light intensity.

4. Scientific feeding

Before hibernation, add more nutritious bait, mainly energy bait, to prepare for sufficient energy for the leeches after they enter hibernation. During the winter, leeches like to eat high-protein, high-energy foods such as dried fish fillets , fresh fish meat and cornmeal . Pay attention to controlling the amount of bait to avoid water quality deterioration due to excessive bait. The amount of feed fed each day should be kept at approximately 1% of the actual weight of the leeches. When raising fish in a solar greenhouse, it is best to feed them at noon when the temperature is higher.

5. Daily management

Once the leeches enter the hibernation state, it is prohibited to enter the hibernation area in the pond and stir it to avoid destroying the hibernation environment of the leeches. Regularly check whether the wintering facilities are intact, such as whether the plastic film is damaged and whether the roof is firm. Record data such as water temperature, water quality, and bait feeding amount during the wintering period to facilitate subsequent analysis and adjustment of management measures.

The above is an introduction to what to do when breeding leeches in winter. When breeding leeches in winter, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate humidity in the breeding environment to avoid being too dry or humid. Farmers should also pay close attention to natural enemies such as weasels and mice to prevent them from entering the breeding ponds and harming the leeches.