**Conditions for Hatchlings and Rearing of Young Turtles**
1. **Hatchling Rearing Environment**
(1) **Hidden Turtle Pool**: A hatchery pool is typically built using cement masonry, either indoors or outdoors, with an area ranging from 3 to 15 square meters. The depth should be designed not only for hatching but also for other purposes. It’s important to have a dry area on one side of the pool where hatchlings can rest. A feeding station should be placed at the water-land interface. The pool must have efficient drainage systems. To protect against heatstroke, snakes, birds, and rodents, a mesh cover can be installed over the pool.
(2) **Baby Turtle Pond**: This pond should support warm-water culture, ideally between 50 to 80 square meters, to allow for greenhouse installation and easier management. The structure is usually rectangular with cement walls about 1.2 to 1.3 meters high. The depth varies depending on the size of the turtles being raised. A large basking area and a feeding platform are essential to prevent drowning. The pond should also include intake and drainage systems, as well as heating equipment to maintain optimal conditions.
2. **Feeding Young and Baby Turtles**
(1) **Feeding Juvenile Turtles**: Newly hatched turtles are delicate and should not be directly placed in the pool. Instead, they can be allowed to crawl on fine sand until their umbilical cords dry and their bodies become flat. They are then placed in containers for rearing. For the first two days, they do not need external food as they absorb nutrients from the yolk. After that, they can be fed leeches and boiled egg yolks several times a day, ensuring they eat until full without leftovers. By day three, they can transition to minced fish, shrimp, snails, and oysters, mixed with small amounts of rice or wheat flour. Water should be changed daily to keep the environment clean.
After a few days, they can be moved to the hatchling pool. Before transfer, disinfection is necessary. Stocking density should not exceed 80 per square meter. Food should be soft, fresh, and animal-based, such as fish, shrimp, snails, and organ meats, supplemented with vegetables and bran. High-protein compound feed (around 40%) is recommended. The water depth in the juvenile pool is usually 20–30 cm, and regular disinfection is needed to prevent disease.
When water temperatures drop below 15°C in October, they should be moved to greenhouses. If no heating is available, outdoor pools can be insulated using mud and straw. No feeding is required during winter, but moisture should be maintained by occasional watering. During extremely cold weather, straw can be used to cover the pool for insulation.
(2) **Feeding Young Turtles**: Most hatchlings are raised in warmed environments. When water temperatures fall to 15°C in October, turtles weighing around 15 grams are moved to greenhouses. Heating can be done via hot water or boilers, with ideal temperatures between 28°C and 30°C. Ponds should resemble those used for soft-shelled turtles, but with more resting areas. Stocking density is usually around 30 per square meter. High-protein compound feed (about 40%) is best, with daily feeding at 3–5% of their body weight. Food should be mixed with fruits and leafy greens, or made into juice. Medications should be added periodically to prevent illness.
Feeding occurs twice daily—between 8–9 am and 4–5 pm. Each meal should be fully consumed without leftovers. Water should be changed every 3–5 days, with bottom waste removed before adding new water. The temperature difference between incoming and outgoing water should not exceed 3°C, and one-third of the water should be replaced each time. Full water changes require cleaning and drying the tank. Weekly disinfection with lime water and other chemicals helps maintain water quality and prevent diseases.
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